Abstract:
A locking device for containers with a container lock housing and with a locking hook. The locking hook has a pivot axis, which is stationary relative to the container lock housing and which can pivot about the locking hook into a standby position and a locking position. An activation mechanism is included for the locking hook, which has a first actuating element and a second actuating element as well as a release mechanism. The first actuating element holds the locking hook in its standby position, while the second actuating element is configured such that it blocks and clamps the locking hook in its locking position. The release mechanism after the releasing acts on the first actuating element and/or on the second actuating element, which automatically brings about the clamping and blocking of the locking hook in its locking position by the second actuating element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention concerns a locking device for containers with a container lock housing and with a locking hook that has a hook body, a hook element, and a pivot axis, which is stationary relative to the housing and about the pivot axis the locking hook can swivel into a standby position and a locking position, and with an activating mechanism for the locking hook; a container lock box; and an arrangement of locking devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The transport of containers occurs sometimes by highway vehicles on which the containers must be fastened in a simple and secure way. The vehicles therefore have suitable locking devices that work together with the corner fittings of the containers. 
         [0003]    Commonly used are so-called twist-locks which have a locking pin and a mushroom-shaped head. This locking pin is introduced into the corner fitting, twisted, and clamped in this locking position. Such a locking device is known, for example, from DE 20 2009 016 268 U1. Such devices have the drawback that they need to be operated by hand. 
         [0004]    DE 20 2010 005 717 U1 discloses a locking device which enables an automatic locking during loading with blocking of the locked position and a semiautomatic unloading in that a blocking means is released before the unloading process. The device has one or in particular two locking levers that can swivel in a scissors arrangement in opposite directions about a common axis that wanders in the vertical direction. Beneath the axis, the lower legs of the locking levers are bent relative to the upper leg, and a bent lever is pivoted by a hinge on the lower legs. The bent levers are able to swivel on a fixed point in the housing of the locking device. Moreover, a blocking means in the form of a sliding bar is arranged in the housing of the locking device, which is loaded by springs in the direction of its locking position. By pressing down on a release when the container is put in place, the locking of the bar is released, so that it shoots out due to the tensioned compression springs and hinders the common axis of the scissors hinge in its vertical movement and thus blocks it. 
         [0005]    This device has the drawback that the bent lever and scissors mechanism is cumbersome and thus costly to manufacture and prone to malfunction. Furthermore, the locking levers are only blocked in the locking position, but not clamped, so that the corner fittings can shake during operation and a firm seating of the container cannot be assured. 
         [0006]    In order to solve this problem for such hooklike locking devices, it has already been proposed to provide only a single locking hook and to configure this hook as a lever of the first kind, which can swivel about a stationary pivot axis in the housing. By means of a spindle, which engages with the lower end of the locking hook, the locking hook can be placed in its locking position by means of tools and by hand and, once engaging with the corner fitting, it can also be pressed down against the corner fitting. This device has the drawback that the device does not fall automatically into its locking position and the turning of the spindle to the locking, clamping and unlocking of the hook is time consuming. 
         [0007]    The problem of the invention is to provide a container locking device that has an easy construction, locks automatically, and ensures a firm seating of the container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This problem is solved with a locking device for containers, comprising: a container lock housing and with a locking hook that has a hook body, a hook element, and a pivot axis, which is stationary relative to the housing and about the pivot axis the locking hook can swivel into a standby position and a locking position, and with an activating mechanism for the locking hook, wherein the activating mechanism has a first actuating element, a second actuating element, and a releasing mechanism, wherein the first actuating element holds the locking hook in its standby position and the second actuating element is configured so that it blocks and clamps the locking hook in its locking position, and wherein the releasing mechanism after the releasing acts on the first actuating element and/or on the second actuating element, which automatically brings about the clamping and blocking of the locking hook in its locking position by the second actuating element. 
         [0009]    The invention starts from a locking hook that has a hook body, a hook element, and a pivot axis and that can swivel about an axis which is stationary relative to a container lock housing into a standby position and a locking position. A single locking hook enables a simple construction and a simple arrangement in the housing of the locking device. 
         [0010]    This locking hook can have one, two, or several pieces. In the multipart version, two or more narrow parts are formed as locking hooks, i.e., locking hooks with a smaller width. The overall width of the parts preferably corresponds to the width of a one-piece locking hook. In the multipart version, the hook elements of the individual parts of the locking hook point in the same direction and the parts of the locking hook are swiveled jointly about the same stationary pivot axis in the same direction. 
         [0011]    This multipart design of the locking hook has benefits in its fabrication, as costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the risk of complete loss of function due to parts failure is reduced thanks to the redundant design of the locking hook. 
         [0012]    The activating mechanism comprises the parts needed to activate the locking hook, such as blocking, releasing, and so on. The activating mechanism has a first actuating element, a second actuating element, and a releasing mechanism. 
         [0013]    The providing of two separate actuating elements and their assignment to the standby position of the locking hook on the one hand and the locking position of the locking hook on the other hand has the benefit that the actuating elements can be individually adapted to the different tasks. 
         [0014]    The first actuating element is configured so that it holds the locking hook in its standby position. This holding can also involve a blocking in the standby position in the sense of an immovable fixation. 
         [0015]    With one locking hook, which drops from its standby position into its locking position by gravity due to the arrangement of its center of gravity, it is enough for the first actuating element to oppose the force of gravity and prevent an unwanted swiveling into the locking position. 
         [0016]    The second actuating element is configured so that it not only blocks, but also clamps the locking hook in its locking position. This prevents knocking noises that result from a loose seating of the container on the locking device and ensures a firm seating of the container. 
         [0017]    The release mechanism can advantageously be activated by the container. The release mechanism is triggered when the container is set down on the loading surface, especially by the respective container fittings, so that the blocking and clamping of the locking hook occurs automatically, i.e., without manual intervention, thanks to the interaction of the release mechanism with the first actuating element and/or the second actuating element. 
         [0018]    According to a first design variant, the release mechanism can engage with the first actuating element. In this case, the first actuating element acts preferably on the second actuating element or the first actuating element is preferably coupled to the second actuating element or arranged on it. 
         [0019]    According to a second design variant, the release mechanism can engage with the second actuating element. In this case, the second actuating element preferably acts on the first actuating element or the second actuating element is preferably coupled to the first actuating element or arranged on it. 
         [0020]    The first and second actuating element are preferably coupled to each other by a connection element. 
         [0021]    According to a third variant, the first and second actuating element are able to move totally independently of each other. In this case, the release mechanism preferably acts on both actuating elements. 
         [0022]    The first actuating element preferably has its own first spring mechanism, so that the first actuating element is spring-loaded when it is in the position in which the first actuating element holds the locking hook in its standby position. 
         [0023]    The actuating elements or the forces acting on them can also be matched to each other such that, when the release mechanism is activated, the second actuating element works against the force of the spring mechanism of the first actuating element and subsequently cancels its action on the locking hook. 
         [0024]    The releasing of the release mechanism has the effect that the first actuating element automatically released the standby position of the locking hook, so that it can move into its locking position. The first actuating element is therefore preferably able to move into a releasing and a retaining position, and in its retaining position it holds the hook in the standby position. The automatic moving of the first actuating element from its retaining position depends on whether or not, say, a coupling is provided with the second actuating element. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the first actuating element is coupled on the second actuating element, in particular, arranged so that an automatic moving of the second actuating element also results in an automatic moving of the first actuating element. 
         [0026]    The first actuating element is preferably a spring element. This has the advantage that the locking hook is clamped in its standby position and thus, for example, a free play or wobbling of the locking hook is prevented. 
         [0027]    The second actuating element can preferably move into a resting position and a blocking position. In order to bring about an automatic sequence, preferably a second spring mechanism is provided, which pulls the second actuating element into its clamping position after the releasing of the release mechanism, in which the second actuating element blocks and clamps the locking hook in its locking position. 
         [0028]    The releasing of the locking hook occurs semiautomatically, preferably by means of a manipulation mechanism, which shall be described below. 
         [0029]    Preferably the locking hook is a lever whose pivot axis is arranged at a first end of the level, while the hook element is arranged at a second end of the lever. The force relations of such a locking lever are more favorable than for a lever of the first kind in which the pivot axis is arranged between the ends of the lever. Another advantage is that the pivot axis can be placed lower in the housing, which opens up more possibilities for accommodating the swivel support. The swivel support is preferably arranged in the housing on a wall, preferably the swivel support is provided on the rear wall of the housing. 
         [0030]    Preferably the locking hook has an activating means between the first and the second end. This arrangement has the advantage that both actuating elements can engage with the activating means. In the standby position of the locking hook, the first actuating element engages preferably at the underside of the activating means and in the blocking position of the locking hook the second actuating element preferably engages on the top side of the activating means. 
         [0031]    Preferably the activating means is a rodlike element that is arranged parallel to the pivot axis. 
         [0032]    The rodlike element can be an integral part of the hook body. It is also possible for the rodlike element to be screwed onto the hook body. 
         [0033]    One preferred embodiment of the lever has the hook body with legs arranged at an angle, the hook element being disposed at the free end of the first leg and the pivot axis at the free end of the second leg. Preferably the activating means is arranged in the junction region of the legs. 
         [0034]    This bent configuration of the lever not only has the advantage that the lever forces can be optimized, but also the advantage that both the location of the pivot axis and the location of the activating means inside the housing can be adapted and optimized to the space conditions inside the housing. 
         [0035]    Preferably the locking hook drops into the locking position by gravity in the installed position of the housing. Since the locking lever is a lever with pivot axis at the end of the lever, the distance of the center of gravity from the pivot axis is great, so that in the standby position only a slight tilting of the locking hook from the vertical, as regards the line of connection, is necessary for the locking hook to drop by gravity and thus automatically into its blocking position upon releasing of the standby position by means of the first actuating element. 
         [0036]    It may possibly be of advantage for the locking hook to be spring-loaded in its standby position by means of a spring mechanism, preferably. The swivel movement to the locking position can be supported or even be brought about entirely in this way. This can be of advantage when the locking device is oriented at a slant, due to a slanting position of the loading surface on which the locking device is placed, so that additional forces are required for the locking hook to drop into its locking position. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the second actuating element has a cam surface, which engages directly or indirectly with the locking hook and blocks and clamps the locking hook. 
         [0038]    A cam surface can be a curved surface, having a predetermined radius, for example, or being a free form surface. A cam surface can also be a surface with two or more flat surface segments. A cam surface can also be a combination of at least one curved surface and at least one flat surface. 
         [0039]    Preferably the cam surface has at least one segment for the power-locked clamping and blocking of the locking hook. 
         [0040]    This segment is preferably a bevel, which upon a translatory movement of the second actuating element runs across the activating means of the locking hook and with increasing forward motion pushes the activating means and thus the locking hook increasingly down into the installed position of the locking device, for example, which brings about a clamping of the fitting and thus the container—if the hook is already bearing against the fitting. 
         [0041]    This segment in the case of a different movement sequence of the second actuating element, such as a rotary movement, can be appropriately configured differently. 
         [0042]    The segment of the cam surface is preferably configured so that the force on the activating means increases upon continuing movement of the second actuating element into its blocking position. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the cam surface has at least one segment for the form-fitted blocking of the locking hook. This segment is preferably arranged before the segment for blocking and clamping in the direction of movement of the second actuating element, so that if the clamping should be unintentionally released, a blocking of the locking hook will still be assured. 
         [0044]    Preferably the second actuating element is a bar which can travel by translatory motion into a resting and a blocking position. The translatory movement enables a simple configuration of the segments for blocking and clamping and for blocking. These segments can be configured as straight or flat surfaces. 
         [0045]    Preferably the bar is a wedge. 
         [0046]    Preferably two bars are disposed alongside each other and connected to each other by a connection element. This embodiment of the second actuating element has the advantage that total failure will not result if one bar fails or if one bar is not optimally clamped. 
         [0047]    Preferably a guide mechanism is provided in the housing, in which the second actuating element is movably mounted. 
         [0048]    The second actuating element is pretensioned in the resting position, preferably by means of a second spring mechanism. 
         [0049]    Preferably the second actuating element can be detained in a first resting position by means of a detent element. After the releasing of the releasing mechanism, this detaining is released and the second actuating element is moved by means of the second spring mechanism into the blocking position. The force of the spring mechanism is preferably adjusted so that a sufficient clamping by the curve surface is made possible. The spring mechanism and the cam surface are accordingly attuned to each other. 
         [0050]    Preferably the detent element can be activated by the release mechanism to release the second actuating element. 
         [0051]    According to another embodiment, the second actuating element is held in a second position of rest by means of a ratchet. The ratchet will be used if an unlocking is done by means of the manipulation mechanism but the container has not yet been removed from the locking device. This will be explained more closely together with the manipulation mechanism. 
         [0052]    Preferably the ratchet is swiveled and drops by gravity or spring loading into its blocking position. The ratchet is preferably swiveled stationary to the housing. 
         [0053]    In its blocking position, the ratchet preferably engages with a recess of the second actuating element. 
         [0054]    Preferably the ratchet can be moved manually and accessible from the outside into the unlocking position. When the second actuating element is moved manually into its position of rest, so that the locking hook is in its standby position, but the container has not yet been removed, the release mechanism remains in the released state. If this unlocking needs to be reversed, it is necessary to move the ratchet manually to its release position. After this, the second actuating element can be moved by means of the second spring mechanism into its blocking position. 
         [0055]    Preferably the ratchet can be activated via the release mechanism. When the release mechanism is moved into the releasing state, the ratchet will be moved into its releasing position. 
         [0056]    Preferably a manipulation mechanism is provided for the first actuating element and/or the second actuating element, and the manipulation mechanism is preferably provided with a third spring mechanism. The unlocking of the locking hook is done by means of the manipulation mechanism, being preferably semiautomatic. By using the manipulation mechanism, which is manually pulled from its position of rest into an unlocking position, the second actuating element is preferably moved from the blocking position to the position of rest, so that the locking hook is moved automatically into the standby position. The second actuating element is fixed in its position of rest. After this, the manipulation mechanism is pulled back automatically by the third spring mechanism to its position of rest. 
         [0057]    The manipulation mechanism can be displaced preferably parallel to the top wall of the housing. Preferably the manipulation mechanism has at least one guide track or slide, by means of which it is movably mounted on the second actuating element, the end of the guide track forming an abutment to drive along the second actuating element. 
         [0058]    Preferably the third spring mechanism holds the manipulation mechanism in its position of rest. 
         [0059]    Preferably the release mechanism has a release pin. For this, an opening for the release pin is preferably provided in one wall of the housing. The release pin can move into a disengaged release position and an engaged position. 
         [0060]    The release pin is pretensioned in its release position by means of a first spring device. 
         [0061]    When the container is placed on the locking device, the release pin is moved against the force of the spring, and the releasing process occurs. 
         [0062]    Preferably a lock indicator mechanism is provided on one wall of the housing, which tells the user whether or not the locking hook is engaged. 
         [0063]    The lock indicator mechanism preferably comprises a pretensioned pin, which extends to the outside through a housing wall. 
         [0064]    The lock indicator mechanism is preferably activated directly or indirectly by the first or the second actuating element. 
         [0065]    Preferably two projecting guide elements flanking the locking hook are arranged on the top wall of the housing. This facilitates the inserting of a container into the fitting and protects the locking hook against damage. The guide elements preferably project beyond the locking hook. 
         [0066]    The spring elements can preferably be joined to each other at their free end across a bridge. The bridge is preferably conical or pyramidal in shape, which facilitates the introducing into the opening of the fitting. 
         [0067]    Preferably the activating mechanism is arranged in a box, which can be inserted into the housing. Thanks to the box, the entire activating mechanism can be taken out. Only the locking hook and possibly the lock indicator mechanism are still arranged in the housing. Maintenance and repair work on the activating mechanism can thus be done easily on the box taken out from the housing. 
         [0068]    The container lock housing which accommodates a container lock box with at least one top wall, two side walls and a back wall, and with a locking hook extending through the top wall, which has a hook body, a hook element and a pivot axis that is stationary relative to the housing and about which the locking hook can swivel into a standby position and a locking position, is characterized in that the pivot axis of the locking hook is disposed parallel to the top wall and a swivel support is provided on one housing wall for the swiveled mounting of the locking hook. 
         [0069]    The container lock box for use in a container lock housing is characterized in that it has a mounting plate, on which three subassemblies are arranged, forming an activation mechanism for a locking hook, wherein a first subassembly has a release mechanism with a first spring mechanism, wherein a second subassembly has a first actuating element and a second actuating element able to move in parallel with the mounting plate with a second spring mechanism, and wherein a third subassembly has a manipulation mechanism for the first and/or second actuating element with a third spring mechanism. 
         [0070]    An arrangement of locking devices on a container loading surface calls for arranging the locking device at the edge of the loading surface, forming opposite pairs, and the hook elements of each pair of devices point in opposite directions. 
         [0071]    This arrangement has the benefits that the position of the respective hook can be recognized by the driver from the outside when the container has been loaded and the centrifugal forces acting on the container when negotiating a curve can be better absorbed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0072]    Sample embodiments of the invention shall be explained more closely below by means of the drawings. 
           [0073]    There are shown: 
           [0074]      FIG. 1  a partial view of the back side of a trailer with container set on it, 
           [0075]      FIG. 2  a locking device in perspective representation according to a first embodiment, 
           [0076]      FIG. 3  The locking device shown in  FIG. 2  in the assembled state, 
           [0077]      FIG. 4  a perspective representation of a locking hook, 
           [0078]      FIG. 5  the bottom view of a housing of a locking device with locking hook, 
           [0079]      FIG. 6  the bottom view of a box, 
           [0080]      FIG. 7   a  a perspective representation of a first subassembly, 
           [0081]      FIG. 7   b  a side view of a first subassembly, 
           [0082]      FIG. 8   a  a perspective representation of a second subassembly, 
           [0083]      FIG. 8   b  a perspective representation of a second actuating element, 
           [0084]      FIG. 9  a perspective representation of a third subassembly, 
           [0085]      FIG. 10  a side view of a locking device in the standby position, 
           [0086]      FIG. 11  another side view of a locking device when the release mechanism is activated, 
           [0087]      FIG. 12  a side view of a locking device in an intermediate position, 
           [0088]      FIG. 13  a perspective representation of a locking device in the locking position, 
           [0089]      FIG. 14  a side view of a locking device being unlocked, 
           [0090]      FIG. 15  a side view of a locking device after being unlocked, 
           [0091]      FIG. 16  a perspective representation of a locking device being unlocked, and 
           [0092]      FIG. 17  a magnified view of detail X from  FIG. 16  looking at the ratchet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0093]      FIG. 1  shows a partial view of the back side of a semi trailer  30  with a container  20  placed on a loading surface  32 , the corner fittings  22  of the container  20  being shown in sectional view. 
         [0094]    The two locking devices  10  mounted opposite each other on the trailer  30  form a pair of locking devices  12 . Each locking device  10  has a container lock housing  100  with a locking hook  110 . In the container lock housing  100  is arranged an activation mechanism  210  for the locking hook  110 , which shall be explained more closely in connection with the other figures. 
         [0095]    The locking hooks  110  engage with the respective corner fittings  22 , whereupon the hook elements  111  press against the locking surface  24  of the bottom  23  of the corner fitting  22 . Thanks to the clamping of the locking hook  110 , the container  20  is held firmly and free of vertical play. 
         [0096]    The locking devices  10  are arranged so that the hook elements  111  of the locking device pair  12  each point outwards and thus in opposite directions. The arrangement shown has the benefit that the position of the respective hook when the container has been loaded can be recognized by the driver from the outside and centrifugal forces acting on the container when negotiating a curve can be better absorbed. 
         [0097]    If is also possible for both hook elements of a pair  12  to be disposed pointing inwards. 
         [0098]    The locking device  10  shall be explained individually by means of a first sample embodiment—so-called box variant—in  FIGS. 2 to 17 , which consists of two components, namely, the container lock housing  100  with the locking hook  110  and the container lock box  200 , which contains the overall activation mechanism  210  for the locking hook  110 . This container lock box  200  is designed as a slide-in part, which can be shoved as a preassembled unit like a drawer into the container lock housing  100  of the locking device  10 . The container lock box  200  can be removed by pulling it out from the container lock housing  100 . 
         [0099]    The container lock housing  100  has a top wall  102 , two side walls  104 ,  106 , a back wall  108  and a bottom wall  109 . The mentioned walls need not be completely closed. In the side wall  104  is arranged a lock indicator mechanism  160 , which reports the locked state of the locking hook  110 . This device  160  comprises a pin  164 , which projects to the outside through an opening  162  in the side wall  104  in the unlocked state. In the locked state, the pin  164  is withdrawn and flush with the side wall  104 . 
         [0100]    The top wall  102  has an opening  170  through which the locking hook  110  extends upward. In the embodiment shown here, the locking hook  110  consists of two parts  110 ′. Accordingly, the locking hook  110  has a hook element  111  that consists of two hook element parts  111 ′. 
         [0101]    The locking hook  110  is flanked on its sides by two projecting guide elements  152 ,  154 , which facilitate its introduction in the corner fitting  22 . The two guide elements  152 ,  154  are joined to each other by a bridge  156 , which is rounded in configuration and likewise facilitates the introducing into the corner fitting  22  of the container  10 . At the same time, the bridge  156  protects the locking hook  110  against damage when being introduced into the corner fitting  22 . 
         [0102]    The container lock box  200  has a mounting plate  202 , on which the different subassemblies  220 ,  250 ,  330  of the activation mechanism  210  for the locking hook  110  are secured. 
         [0103]    On the mounting plate  202  is fastened a front plate  204 . The handle  350  shown on the front plate  204  belongs to the manipulation mechanism  332  for the second actuating element  260 , which will be discussed more closely in connection with the other drawings. 
         [0104]    The second alternative embodiment, which calls for the activation mechanism  210  to be mounted in the container lock housing  100 , differs from the box design (first alternative embodiment) in that no mounting plate  202  is provided and the activation mechanism  210  is mounted on the housing walls. The front plate  204  in this case forms a forward wall of the container lock housing  100  and is mounted, e.g., on the housing walls  104 ,  106 . 
         [0105]    The remarks regarding the activation mechanism  210 , the components of the activation mechanism  210  and the functioning of the activation mechanism  210  in connection with the locking hook  110  apply equally to both alternative embodiments. 
         [0106]    In  FIG. 2 , most of the components of the activation mechanism  210  are concealed. At the left side of the container lock box  200  one can see the third spring mechanism  340  in the form of a tension spring  342 , being part of the manipulation mechanism  332  of the third subassembly  330 . The tension spring  342  is secured to the mounting plate  202  and to the handle  350  (also see  FIG. 14 ). Furthermore, the second spring mechanism  280  can be seen in the form of the tension spring  282 , being part of the second subassembly  250 , to which the second actuating element  260  belongs. The tension spring  282  is secured to the mounting plate  202  and to the second actuating element  260  (also see  FIG. 14 ). At the right side of the container lock box  200  are also found the two tension springs  342  and  282  (see  FIG. 6 ) which cannot be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0107]    In the case of the second alternative embodiment, the tension springs  282 ,  342  are fastened to the back wall  108  of the housing  100 . 
         [0108]    Through the mounting plate  202  there extends a release pin  222  of the release mechanism  221  in the upward direction, which projects upward through the opening  150  in the top wall  102  after being placed in the container lock housing  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , which shows the locking device  10  with the container lock box  200  inserted into the container lock housing  100 . 
         [0109]    In the second alternative embodiment, the front plate  204  shown in  FIG. 3  is fastened to the housing walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 . 
         [0110]    In  FIG. 4  is shown the locking hook  110  in perspective view, having a hook body  112  and a hook element  111 . The locking hook  110  is a two-piece hook with two hook parts  110 ′ and two hook element parts  111 ′ and configured as a lever with two ends  136 ,  138 . On the first end  136  is arranged the hook element  111  and on the second end  138  of the lever is arranged the pivot axis  114 . Between the two ends  136 ,  138  is arranged an activating means  132 , which is configured as a rodlike element  134  and in the embodiment shown here it is screwed onto the locking hook  110 . The rodlike element  134  projects to the side relative to the hook body  112 , thus forming two journals  139   a,b . The journals  139   a,b  can each be fitted additionally with a bearing, such as a ball bearing (not shown). 
         [0111]    The activating means  132  works together with the first actuating element  290  and the second actuating element  260 , the first actuating element  290  engaging on the underside of the journal  139   a,b  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) and the second actuating element  260  on the top side of the journals  139   a,b  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0112]    The lever is bent. He has a first leg  116  and a second leg  120  with the free ends  118 ,  122 , which are identical to the ends  136 ,  138  of the lever. In the connection region  130  of the two legs  116 ,  120  is arranged the activating means  132 . The second leg  120  has two openings  142   a,b , through which the pivot axis  114  runs and which together with the swivel support  140  and a bearing bolt  144  form the swivel support of the locking hook  110  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0113]    The center of gravity of the locking hook  110  is at a distance from the pivot axis  114 , so that the locking hook in the installed position of the locking device  10  drops by gravity from its standby position into its locking position. 
         [0114]    In  FIG. 5  is shown the bottom view of the container lock housing  100  with mounted locking hook  110 . The swivel support  140  is fastened to the back wall  108 . By means of the bearing bolt  144  the second leg  120  of the locking hook  110  is mounted to pivot on the swivel support  140 . 
         [0115]    In  FIG. 6  is shown the underside of the container lock box  200  with the components of the three subassemblies  220 ,  250  and  330 . The three subassemblies are presented in detail in  FIGS. 7 to 9 . 
         [0116]    The second subassembly  250  contains the second actuating element  260  (also see  FIG. 8   a ), which consists of two wedge-shaped bars  262 . The two bars  262  are joined to each other by a connection element  264  and can move in translatory manner in a linear guide mechanism  300 . The linear guide mechanism  300  has two guide rails  302 ,  304  with grooves  306 ,  308 , one bar  262  being led in each guide rail  302 ,  304 . The second actuating element  260  is situated in its position of rest and can move along the guide rails  302 ,  304  into its blocking position. 
         [0117]    In the position of rest shown in  FIG. 6 , the second actuating element  260  is held by means of a detent element  240  in the form of an arrest bracket (see  FIGS. 7   a,b ). The detent element  240  is part of the first subassembly  220 , which is shown in  FIG. 7   a,b.    
         [0118]    Each bar  262  is provided with a fastening pin  279 , with which the second spring mechanism  280  engages, which is pretensioned and after the releasing of the second actuating element  260  it pulls the second actuating element  260  into the blocking position. 
         [0119]    To the second actuating element  260  is fastened the first actuating element  290 , which is designed as a spring element. The spring element is a wire bracket and shown in detail in  FIG. 8   a.    
         [0120]    Furthermore, two guide plates  334  of the manipulation mechanism  332  of the third subassembly  330  can be seen in  FIG. 6  and are shown in detail in  FIG. 9 . These guide plates  334  have guide tracks  335  in the form of oblong holes  336 , in which screw heads  276 ,  278  of the second actuating element  260  are led. These guide plates  334  are fastened to the handle  350  and pretensioned by means of the third spring mechanism  340 . 
         [0121]    The linear guide mechanism  300  in the view of  FIG. 6  is fastened to the mounting plate  202 . According to the second alternative embodiment, the mounting plate is omitted, so that the linear guide mechanism  300  is fastened to the top wall  102 . 
         [0122]    In  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  is shown the first subassembly  220  in two views, enlarged, being arranged on the top wall  102  or alternatively on the mounting plate  202 . The subassembly  220  comprises the release mechanism  221 , which has the release pin  222 . The release pin  222  has a slide guide  226  at its lower end, in which a pin  244  of the detent element  240  is led, so that the detent element  240  upon releasing of the release mechanism  221  can swivel in a swivel support  242  and activates the second actuating element  260  for the releasing. The detent element  240  can therefore swivel on a fastening element  238  of the release mechanism  221 . 
         [0123]    The release mechanism  221  has a first spring mechanism  230  with two compression springs  232 , only one compression spring  232  being shown. The compression springs  232  hold the release pin  222  in its extended position of release. 
         [0124]      FIG. 7   b  shows another view of the first subassembly  220 . With the release pin  222  activated, a ratchet  310  can drop by gravity into the recesses  274  (see  FIG. 8   b ) of the second actuating element  260  and thus hold them in the position of rest—second position of rest—despite the activating of the release pin  222 . When the release pin  222  is relieved of force, the ratchet  310  is pushed by the plate  224  (see  FIG. 7   a ) back into the starting position. The second actuating element  260  is thus released by the ratchet  310  and now slides up to the arrest bracket  240 , which has once again swiveled out. The second actuating element  260  thus remains in the position of rest (first position of rest) when the release pin  222  is relieved of force. 
         [0125]      FIG. 8   a  shows the second subassembly  250 , enlarged. 
         [0126]    The two bars  262  of the second actuating element  260  are wedge-shaped and have a first wedge surface  266  and a second wedge surface  268 . In the first wedge surface  266  there is provided a recess  274 , which engages with the ratchet  310 , as shown in  FIG. 7   b  and described more closely in connection with the manipulation mechanism  332 . At the front end of the bars  262  are arranged end stops  284   a,b  for the detent element  240 . 
         [0127]    The second wedge surface  268  has several segments, which will be described in connection with  FIG. 8   b . At the connection element  264  of the two bars  262  is fastened the first actuating element  290 , which has two holding segments  294 , being joined together by a connection segment  292 . The holding segments  294  bear against the activating means  132  of the locking hook  110  when this is in the standby position (see  FIG. 10 ). The holding segment  294  is adjoined by two release segments  296 , which allow the locking hook  110  to drop into its blocking position (see  FIG. 13 ) when the first actuating element  290  moves in the direction of the arrow. 
         [0128]    For this purpose, the two release segments  296  are bent downward, which creates the necessary free space for the activating element  132  when the locking hook  110  is swiveled. 
         [0129]      FIG. 8   b  shows a bar  262  in perspective view, clearly revealing the second wedge surface  268 , which has a cam surface with three straight flat segments. 
         [0130]    The segments  271  and  272  run at a slant and make with the first wedge surface  266  an angle α and β&lt;90°, respectively. Angle β is designed so that self braking occurs. Between these two segments  271  and  272  there runs a segment  273  parallel to the wedge surface  266 . This segment serves for the form fitted blocking of the locking hook  110 . Segment  271  produces a power-locked blocking and clamping of the locking hook  110 ; segment  272  supports the locking hook in its gravity-driven movement and runs parallel to the release segments  296 . Thus, the activating means  132  of the locking hook  110  can slide unhindered between the first actuating element  290  and the second actuating element  260 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 9  shows the third subassembly  330 . This comprises the manipulation mechanism  332  as well as the third spring mechanism  340 . The manipulation mechanism itself is composed of the guide plates  334  and the handle  350 . In the guide plates there are slides or guide tracks in the form of oblong holes  336 , which receive the screw heads  276  and  278  of the screws arranged on the second actuating element  260 . Thanks to the tension springs  342 , the manipulation mechanism is pulled into the position of rest in the container lock housing  100 . When activated in the form of pulling out on the handle, the abutment  338  comes to bear against two of the screw heads  276 ,  278  (see also  FIG. 14 ). This likewise moves the second actuating element  260 . Thanks to the slides, the second actuating element  260  can move free of the manipulation mechanism  332 , when this is in its position of rest. 
         [0132]    The mode of operation of the locking device  10  will be explained below by means of  FIGS. 10 to 17 : 
         [0133]      FIG. 10  shows, in a side view with the container lock housing  100  opened, the locking hook  110  in its standby position, in which the locking hook  110  is held by means of the first actuating element  290 . The locking hook  110  is protected beneath the bridge  156 . The first actuating element  290 , fashioned as a wire bracket, presses from below by its holding segments  294  against the activating means  132  of the locking hook  110 . The second actuating element  260  is pretensioned in its position of rest and is held by the detent element  240 , which bears against the end stops  284   a,b  (see  FIG. 8   a ). The release pin  222  is pretensioned in its position of release. 
         [0134]      FIG. 11  shows the placing of the container  20  with its corner fitting  22 , such that the release pin  222  is pressed downward against the force of the compression spring  232 . The detent element  240  is swiveled upward, so that the second actuating element  260  is released. Thanks to the force of the tension spring  282 , the second actuating element  260  is moved in the direction of the arrow, so that the activating means  132  is detached from the holding segment  294  of the first actuating element  290  and the locking hook  110  arrives by gravity into the region of the release segment  296 , which enables a downward directed movement (see the arrow), as is shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0135]    In this process, the segments  272  of the two bars  262  contact the activating means  132  and support the downward movement of the locking hook  110 , so that the hook element  111  emerges to the left underneath the bridge  156 . 
         [0136]    The bars  262  continue to move to the right (see the arrow) until the position shown in  FIG. 13  is reached. Thanks to the segment  271  of the bar  262 , the activating means  132  is clamped downward, so that the hook element  111  presses against the locking surface  24  of the bottom of the corner fitting  22  and clamps the corner fitting  22 . 
         [0137]    The pin  164  of the lock indicator mechanism  160 , which was previously somewhat pressed out by the connection element  264  against the force of a spring on the outside of the container lock housing  100 , can now slide inward, driven by the spring, thereby indicating a locking (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0138]    For the unlocking, the manipulation mechanism  332  of the third subassembly (see  FIG. 9 ) is activated manually by pulling the handle  350  with the guide plates  334  out in the direction of the arrow. In this process, the screw heads  276 ,  278  travel to the right in the oblong holes  336  of the guide plates  334  until the right screw head  276  arrives at the end of the oblong hole  336 , which thus constitutes an abutment  338 . Upon further pulling out of the guide plate  334 , the second actuating element  260 , i.e., the bar  262 , is pulled along with it. The locking hook  110  is released and at the same time lifted into its standby position by the first actuating element  290 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
         [0139]    This opened condition is indicated by the lock indicator mechanism  160  in that the pin  164  is once again pressed by the connection element  264  in the direction of the outside of the container lock housing  100 . 
         [0140]    Upon releasing the handle  350 , the manipulation mechanism  322  slides back into the inside of the housing (see  FIG. 15 ). The second actuating element  260  is held in this position by the ratchet  310 , having dropped into the recess  274  of the first actuating element  290  (see  FIG. 17 ). 
         [0141]    The container  20  can then be lifted up and removed. 
         [0142]      FIG. 16  shows the unlocked situation, in which by pulling out the manipulation mechanism  332  the locking hook  110  has been placed in its standby position. However, if this was done unintentionally, i.e., no subsequent unloading and thus no removal of the container  20  is scheduled, the locking must be restored once again. For this purpose, the ratchet  310  with the manipulation mechanism  332  pulled out is accessible from the outside, as shown in the detail view X in  FIG. 17 . By manual lifting of the ratchet  310 , the latter once again releases the second actuating element  260 . The second actuating element  260  slides once again via the activating means  132  as in the process already described of setting down the container and restores the locking. 
         [0143]    If the container  20  is lifted up with the locking opened, the release pin  222  will be released. After this, the arrest bracket  240  again swivels downward. Furthermore, the ratchet  310  is now pressed back into its starting position by the plate  224 , so that the second actuating element  260  can slide as far as the arrest bracket. Readiness for loading the container once again has been restored. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  container locking device 
           12  pair of container locking devices 
           20  container 
           22  corner fitting 
           24  locking surface 
           30  semi trailer 
           32  loading surface 
           100  container lock housing 
           102  top wall 
           104  side wall 
           106  side wall 
           108  back wall 
           109  bottom wall 
           110  locking hook 
           110 ′ hook part 
           111  hook element 
           111 ′ hook element part 
           112  hook body 
           114  pivot axis 
           116  first leg 
           118  free end 
           120  second leg 
           122  free end 
           130  connection region 
           132  activating means 
           134  rodlike element 
           136  first end of lever 
           138  second end of lever 
           139   a,b  journal 
           140  swivel support 
           142   a,b  opening 
           144  bearing bolt 
           150  opening for release pin 
           152  guide element 
           154  guide element 
           156  bridge 
           160  lock indicator mechanism 
           162  opening for indicator mechanism 
           164  pin 
           170  opening 
           200  container lock box 
           202  mounting plate 
           204  front plate 
           210  activation mechanism 
           220  first subassembly 
           221  release mechanism 
           222  release pin 
           224  plate 
           226  slide guideway 
           230  first spring mechanism 
           232  compression spring 
           238  fastening element 
           240  detent element 
           242  swivel support 
           244  guide pin of detent element 
           250  second subassembly 
           260  second actuating element 
           262  bar 
           264  connection element 
           265  guide groove 
           266  first wedge surface 
           268  second wedge surface 
           270  cam surface 
           271  first segment of the cam surface 
           272  second segment of the cam surface 
           273  third segment of the cam surface 
           274  recess 
           276  screw head 
           278  screw head 
           279  fastening pin for spring 
           280  second spring mechanism 
           282  tension spring 
           284   a,b  end stop for detent element 
           290  first actuating element 
           292  connection segment 
           294  holding segment 
           296  release segment 
           300  linear guide mechanism 
           302  guide rail 
           304  guide rail 
           306  groove 
           308  groove 
           310  ratchet 
           330  third subassembly 
           332  manipulation mechanism 
           334  guide plate 
           335  guide track, slide 
           336  oblong hole 
           338  abutment 
           340  third spring mechanism 
           342  tension spring 
           350  handle