Patent GB-1310118-A (GB)
Title: Load spreader coupling containers
IPC: B66C1/66
Filed: 1970-01-21
Abstract: 1310118 Releasable fastenings HERBERT MORRIS-BROWN LENOX Ltd 19 April 1971 [21 Jan 1970] 2942/70 Heading E2B A coupling device for engaging a corner fitting of a freight container, such device comprises a coupling component in the form of a stud 2 comprising a stem 7 and a head which can be inserted through an aperture in the top of a said corner fitting, said head being elongated in a direction perpendicular to such stem, such component being rotatably supported so that it can be turned about the axis of its stem, and a stud-turning mechanism including actuating means which can be displaced parallel with said axis and relative to said stud by a reaction force resulting from pressure of such actuating means against a surface surrounding such aperture, said mechanism being constructed so that such displacement causes the stud to turn through less than 180‹ and on release of said actuating means it automatically returns without accompanying reverse rotation of said stud. In the construction shown the stud turning mechanism is supported in a casing 5 and the stud turning mechanism includes a drum 8, the hub of which receives a spindle 6 which is connected to or integral with the stem 7 of the stud; the spindle is rotatable in the hub of the drum but is prevented from axial movement in the casing. The actuating means consists of the drum 8, a frame 9 two rods 10, 10' which pass through apertures in the base of the casing and are secured to the drum. The drum is guided in its vertical movement by two rods 11 which are secured to the casing and which pass through guide ways of the drum. The spindle carries two abutment members 15, 16, one above the drum and the other below the drum and the median planes of the two abutment members are in mutually perpendicular vertical planes. Each drum includes four upper and four lower inclined plates extending between its peripheral wall and the hub and which are respectively engageable with the abutment members to rotate the spindle 6. The device is intended for use as part of a load spreader, the load spreader having four of the devices at the corners and the devices being intended to engage the upper fittings of the freight container with the heads entering the fittings and being turned therein. In use the spreader is lowered so that each head enters its respective fitting, being guided into position by inclined plates of the spreader; for each device after the head has entered the fitting the frame 9 engages the top of the fitting and as the spreader is lowered, the drum is raised in the casing so that upper inclined plates, 14, 14' engage the upper abutment member 15, the extent of the inclined plates and the amount of movement of the actuating member being such that the stud head is turned through 45‹; the spreader is then raised which raises the casing with the spindle 6 relative to the drum so that the lower abutment member engages the lower inclined plates which turn the stud head through a further 45‹. To disengage the spreader from the container the spreader is first lowered which rotates the stud through 45‹ and then raised which rotates the stud head through a further 45‹ so that it can be withdrawn from the comer fitting by raising the spreader further. In a modified coupling device the frame 9 is omitted and the rods 10 engage the top of the corner fitting directly. In addition the casing sides are omitted although the top and bottom remain and also the stem of the stud is connected to the spindle 6 through a sliding connection to allow for variations in the dimensions of the corner fitting.