Abstract:
Stowage pieces ( 10 ) are used to secure containers on board ships against horizontal displacement. The stowage pieces ( 10 ) have an abutment ( 15 ), which on opposite sides has stowage cones ( 16, 17 ) which engage in upper and lower corner fittings ( 12, 13 ) of containers stacked one above another. These stowage pieces ( 10 ) must be fitted to upper corner fittings ( 13 ) of the containers already stowed on board the ship before a next container is stowed. This requires the use of auxiliary personnel on the containers already stowed on board the ship, which more recent safety regulations no longer permit. 
     The stowage piece ( 10 ) according to the invention has on its upper stowage cone ( 16 ) a rotatable cross-latch ( 21 ), by means of which the stowage piece ( 10 ) can be locked under lower corner fittings ( 12 ) of a container from the pier, before the container comes on board the ship. As a result, auxiliary personnel on the containers located on board the ship become superfluous.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a stowage piece for securing the position of containers on board ships to a stowage piece for securing the position of containers on board ships, having an abutment, in particular a plate-like abutment, to be arranged at least partly between corner fittings of containers located one above another, and at least two stowage cones arranged on opposite sides of the abutment; and to a stowage piece for securing the position of containers on board ships, having an abutment and having at least two stowage cones arranged on opposite sides of the abutment. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Stowage pieces of the type discussed here are used for securing containers against displacement on board ships. In particular, the position of containers stowed below decks is secured with such stowage pieces, in order that the said containers cannot be displaced in the horizontal direction by more than a permissible amount. The stowage pieces are arranged between corner fittings of containers stacked one above another, specifically without connecting the containers in the vertical direction. Displacement of the containers in the horizontal direction is prevented by the stowage pieces, on the one hand by the fact that their stowage cones engage in adjacent corner fittings of containers stacked one above another, so that the containers are secured against mutual displacement in the stack. Furthermore, the containers of adjacent stacks are supported against each other, specifically depending on the manner of stowage in the longitudinal direction of the ship or in the transverse direction of the ship. 
     Known stowage pieces of this type are arranged between the individual containers in such a way that they are inserted into the upper corner fittings of containers already located (stowed) on board, and the upper containers are then placed on these, the stowage pieces coming into engagement with the lower corner fittings of the upper containers. This type of stowage requires the use of auxiliary personnel in the hold. The auxiliary personnel are at risk in the hold for various reasons. Therefore, more recent international regulations relating to health and safety at work permit the use of auxiliary personnel in the hold only on a conditional basis. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     On the basis of the above, the invention is now based on the object of providing stowage pieces which permit the simple and quick stowage of containers correspondingly secured in position on board ships, whilst complying with the appropriate (international) safety regulations. 
     A stowage piece to achieve this object has the features of claim  1 . By means of the locking means assigned to one stowage cone and the rotation of the same into a locking and unlocking position by means of rotation of the opposite stowage cone, it is possible to pre-lock the stowage piece under the respective lower corner fitting of a container on land. The stowage pieces no longer need to be put in place by auxiliary personnel in the hold on, for example, containers that have already been stowed, before the next container is loaded. 
     According to a development of the stowage piece, the locking means, preferably a cross-latch, can be secured in the locking position by a locking means. The locking means is preferably designed such that it secures the lower rotatable stowage cone transferring the locking means into the locking position against being rotated. This lower stowage cone is freely accessible under the lower corner fittings of upper containers when the stowage piece is being pre-locked. The locking means can be designed in a wide range of ways. They preferably ensure force-fitting locking of the locking means (cross-latch) in at least the locking position. 
     According to a preferred configuration of the stowage piece, the locking means is arranged in a recess in the rotatable (lower) stowage cone. In this recess, the locking means is not only easily accessible; it may also be accommodated here so as to be protected against damage. 
     According to a development of the stowage piece according to the invention, which may be capable of independent protection, provision is made for the plate-like abutment between the opposite stowage cones to be assigned a centre piece, which is preferably connected to the abutment permanently and/or in one piece. The centre part is designed in such a way that it engages in a slot in a corner fitting arranged under that side of the abutment which is provided with the centre part and belonging to a container. The height of the centre part is in this case dimensioned such that it extends only over part of the overall depth of the slot. The other part of the slot is then filled by an upper section of the rotatable stowage cone, preferably a cone head. For this purpose, the centre part is assigned to that side of the abutment on which the rotatable stowage cone is located. The fact that both the centre part that is permanently connected to the abutment, and an upper part of the rotatable stowage cone, are located in the slot in the relevant corner fitting of a container means that the forcible rotation of the rotatable stowage cone in the slot in the corner fitting is avoided. By means of the force-fitting rotational securing, produced in this way, of the rotatable (lower) stowage cone, and the locking means (cross-latch) operatively connected thereto, the locking means is secured against the inadvertent detachment of the stowage piece from the lower corner fitting under overloading. 
     A further stowage piece for achieving the object mentioned at the beginning has the features of claim 5. According to this, the abutment is assigned a spacer between upright side faces of the containers or corner fittings, respectively. This spacer projects laterally with respect to a relevant wall of the container, which makes it possible to provide support in the horizontal direction against adjacent containers. Such supports are used, in particular, for so-called block stowage. 
     According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the distance piece has a thickness which corresponds approximately to half the spacing or interspace between mutually facing sides, in particular of the corner fittings, of adjacent containers. In this way, two stowage pieces between adjacent container stacks supplement each other, in that they together approximately bridge the spacing or interspace between adjacent container stacks and, as a result, support the containers in the horizontal direction against. compressive loads. 
     A further stowage piece for achieving the object mentioned at the beginning has the features of claim 15. This has a distance piece with a thickness which corresponds approximately to half the spacing (interspace) between mutually oriented sides of adjacent containers, in particular their corner fittings. If such stowage pieces are assigned to mutually oriented corner fittings on the sides of containers or container stacks located beside each other, they together approximately fill the spacing between adjacent side faces of the corresponding corner fittings, as a result of which block stowage of the containers in the longitudinal direction or transversely thereto below the deck of a ship can be brought about without separate means, in particular known compression pieces, which can therefore be eliminated by the stowage pieces according to the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of stowage pieces according to the invention will be explained in more detail below using the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows upper and lower corner fittings of containers stacked one above another and beside one another and which are secured in position by different stowage pieces, 
     FIG. 2 shows the stowage pieces of FIG. 1, which have been pre-locked to a lower corner fitting of an upper container, 
     FIG. 3 shows the stowage pieces of FIG. 2 in a view rotated through 90°, 
     FIG. 4 shows one of the stowage pieces of FIGS. 1 to  3  in an unlocked position, 
     FIG. 5 shows a stowage piece according to a different exemplary embodiment of the invention when arranged between the upper and lower corner fittings of two containers stacked one above another, 
     FIG. 6 shows the stowage piece of FIG. 5 in a view rotated through 90°, without the corner fittings indicated, in a locking position, 
     FIG. 7 shows the stowage piece of FIG. 5 in a view from below, 
     FIG. 8 shows two identical stowage pieces according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention between corner fittings of containers stacked one above another and beside one another (analogous to FIG.  1 ), 
     FIG. 9 shows one of the stowage pieces shown in FIG. 8 between two corner fittings located one above another, and in the state in which they are locked under a lower corner fitting, in a view towards a lateral distance piece, 
     FIG. 10 shows a stowage piece according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, 
     FIG. 11 shows the stowage piece of FIG. 10 before being connected to a lower corner fitting of an upper container, and 
     FIG. 12 shows the stowage piece of FIG. 11 locked under the lower corner fitting. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The figures show various stowage pieces for securing the position of containers on board ships, specifically in particular in the hold of ships. The stowage pieces are used only to secure the containers against horizontal displacements. The stowage pieces do not couple the containers together in the vertical direction, so that the containers can be placed on one another (stacked) in an unimpeded manner and can be lifted off one another (unstacked). 
     FIGS. 1 to  3  show how two different stowage pieces  10  and  11 , which are given different tasks. The stowage piece  10  is arranged between a lower corner fitting  12  (illustrated dashed in the figures) of an upper container (not shown), and an upper corner fitting  13  of the lower container (likewise not shown) in the same container stack. The lower corner fitting  13  or the like can alternatively also be fixed to the floor of a hold, in particular an intermediate floor in the hold. In this case, the corner fitting  13  is not fixed to a container. The lower corner fitting  12  then belongs to a lowest container of a container stack. The stowage piece  10  is used to secure the containers stacked one above another in a container stack against horizontal displacement. 
     The stowage piece  11  is anchored in a lateral slot  14  in the corner fitting  12 . This slot  14  is arranged in a side wall of the corner fitting  12 , which is oriented in the same direction as an upright longitudinal side wall of the relevant container. However, it is also conceivable to insert the stowage piece  11  into a slot in an upright wall of the corner fitting  12  which runs approximately parallel to an end wall of the relevant container. The stowage piece  11  is used to support the containers of one container stack on containers of an adjacent container stack. The stowage pieces therefore transmit compressive forces between adjacent containers and form a block stowage system of the containers in the transverse or else longitudinal direction of the ship. 
     The stowage piece  10  has a central, plate-like abutment  15 . The abutment  15  is arranged as a spacer between the upper and lower corner fittings  12  and  13  of containers stacked one above another or between a lower container in a container stack and the bottom of the hold. As related to the arrangement of the stowage piece  10  shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , one stowage cone  16  is arranged above the abutment  15  and one stowage cone  17  of a different design is arranged underneath the abutment  15 . The upper stowage cone  16  has a centre piece  18  with an oval outline, which approximately fills the slot  19  on the underside of the lower corner fitting  12  of the upper container. The centre piece  18  is connected in one piece to the plate-like abutment  15 . The height of the centre piece  18  is chosen such that the latter extends completely through the slot  19 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the centre piece  18  projects inwards into the corner fitting  12  somewhat with respect to the slot  19 . The upper side  20  of the centre piece  18 , which may project, is designed to be flat. 
     The upper stowage cone  16  has a connecting means which is designed here as a cross-latch  21 . The flat, plate-like cross-latch  21  has an outline which corresponds to that of the centre piece  18 , but is preferably somewhat smaller. In the locking position shown in the figures, the cross-latch  21 , as referred to its longitudinal axis, runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centre piece  18 , as a result of which opposite end regions of the cross-latch  21  engage from the inside behind flat sections of the corner fitting  12  which are located laterally beside the slot  19  (FIG.  3 ). As a result, the stowage piece  10  is locked to the lower corner fitting  12  of the upper container. In an unlocked position, the cross-latch  21  is rotated through 90° with respect to the centre piece  18 , so that the longitudinal axes of the two lie one above another, as a result of which the appropriately dimensioned cross-latch  21  is located congruently with the centre piece  18 . 
     The cross-latch  21  is non-rotatably connected to a shaft  22 . The shaft  22  can be rotated about a vertical axis, which lies on the longitudinal mid-axis  23  of the stowage piece  10 . The shaft  22  passes through the centre piece  18  and the abutment  15 . The shaft  22  is guided in a corresponding through hole  24  which extends centrally through the centre piece  18 , the abutment  15  and a centre piece  28  arranged underneath. The centre piece  25  is connected in one piece to the abutment  15 , like the centre piece  18 . The centre piece  25  is again of oval design and has an outline which corresponds approximately to the upper slot  26  in the upper corner fitting  13  of the lower container. The centre piece  25  has a lower height than the centre piece  18 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is approximately only half as high, as a result of which the centre piece  25  extends only partly into the slot  26  in the corner fitting  13 . The result is that a flat underside  27  of the centre piece  25  ends at about half the height of the slot  26 . In addition, the stowage cone  17  has a rotatable cone head  28 , whose outline corresponds to the oval outline of the centre piece  25 . The cone head  28  is non-rotatably connected to that end of the shaft  22  which is located opposite the cross-latch  21 . 
     In the locking position of the stowage piece  10  which is shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , by contrast with the cross-latch  21 , the cone head  28  is congruent with the centre piece  25  having an identical outline. The dimensions of the cone head  28  are such that when containers are stacked one above another, an upper part of the cone head  28  is located in that part of the slot  26  in the corner fitting  13  which is not filled by the centre piece  25 . As a result, the cone head  28  is non-rotatably guided in the slot  26  in the corner fitting  13 , as a result of which the cross-latch  21  cannot come out of the locked position shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , as long as the stowage cone  17  is located in the slot  26 . 
     When the stowage cone  17  is free, by means of rotating the cone head  28  via the shaft  22 , the cross-latch  21  can be rotated out of the locked position shown in the figures into an unlocked position, in which the cross-latch  21  is congruent with the centre piece  18 , but the cone head  28  extends transversely with respect to the centre piece  25 , that is to say is rotated through 90° with respect to the position shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 . 
     In addition, the cone head  28  can be fixed non-rotatably with respect to the centre piece  25  by means of a locking element. The locking element  29  is arranged in the cone head  28  of the stowage cone  17 , specifically in an aperture  30  which is freely accessible from opposite sides. The locking element  29  is essentially completely accommodated in the aperture  30 . 
     The locking element  29  has a flat, horizontal plate  31  which, on its underside, has a cylindrical handle  32 . Opposite the plate  31 , two parallel pins  33  project upwards. The pins  33  extend through corresponding through holes in that part of the cone head  28  which is located above the aperture  30 . By means of a compression spring (not shown), the handle  32  with the plate  31  and the pin  33  is pressed upwards against a top wall  34  of the aperture  30 . At the same time, upper end regions of the pins  33  project upwards beyond the cone head  28  and extend into corresponding blind holes  35  in the centre piece  25 . In this way, the pins  33  bring about the-form-fitting rotational securing of the cone head  28  with respect to the centre piece  25 . 
     If the locking element  29 , that is to say the plate  31  with the handle  32  and the pins  33 , is pressed downwards counter to the spring force of the compression spring, the projecting free end regions of the pins  33  are moved completely into the cone head  28 , that is to say come out of engagement with the blind holes  35  in the centre piece  25 . The cone head  28  with the shaft  22  and the cross-latch  21  can then be rotated about the vertical longitudinal mid-axis  23  of the stowage piece  10 . 
     Arranged in the upper stowage cone  16 , starting from its flat upper side  20 , is a recess  36 , which is dimensioned so as to correspond to the cross-latch  21 , which is somewhat smaller than the centre piece  18 . The depth of the recess  36  is chosen such that the cross-latch  21  is completely accommodated in it (FIG.  4 ). The recess  36  is located in the centre piece  18  in such a way that when the cross-latch  21  is located in an unlocked position, when its longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the centre piece, as a result of a downwards movement of the cone head  28  with the shaft  22 , the cross-latch  21  can be drawn into the recess  36  in the centre piece  18 , as FIG. 4 shows. If the cone head  28  is forced upwards under the underside  27  of the centre piece  25 , at the same time the projecting pins  33  of the locking element  29  coming into contact with the underside  27  of the centre piece  25  and, in so doing, being able to be pressed downwards counter to the spring force of the compression spring on the handle  32 , the cross-latch  21  comes out of the recess  36  in the centre piece  18 . By means of subsequent rotation of the cone head  28 , the cross-latch  21  is also rotated by the shaft  22  into the position shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , where the longitudinal axis of the cross-latch  21  extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centre piece  18 . In this locked position of the cross-latch  21 , the stowage piece  10  is at the same time locked under the upper corner fitting  12  of the relevant container. The underside of the cross-latch  21  rests on the upper side  20  of the centre piece  18 , so that, in the locking position, the cross-latch  21  cannot pass into the recess  36  and the cone head  28  remains underneath the underside  27  of the centre piece  25 , so that the pins  33  remain in engagement in the blind holes  35  in the centre piece  25  and secure the cross-latch  21  in the locked position. 
     The stowage piece  11  has a plate-like distance piece  37  and a cross-latch  38  that is preferably connected to it in one piece. The stowage piece  11  is connected with the cross-latch  38  alongside an outer, upright side wall of the corner fitting  12 . To this end, a centre piece  39  of the cross-latch  38 , having an approximately cylindrical cross section, projects through the lateral slot  14  in the upright side wall of the corner fitting  12 . At the same time, the flat rear side  40  of the distance piece  37 , which is connected to the cross-latch  38 , comes approximately to rest on the upright side wall of the corner fitting  12 . At its end directed away from the distance piece  37 , the cross-latch  38  has two opposite anchoring lugs  41  which project on opposite sides of the centre piece  39 . These anchoring lugs  41  and the round cross section of the centre part  39  are illustrated dashed in FIG.  3 . 
     The anchoring lugs  41  and cross-latch  38  have an oval outline which is such that the cross-latch  38  can be pushed through the slot  14  in the corner fitting  12  with the anchoring lugs  41  pointing upwards and downwards. By means of subsequent rotation of the stowage piece  11  through 90°, the anchoring lugs  41  come to rest on opposite sides of the slot  14 , by engaging behind the latter from the interior of the corner fitting  12 , as shown by FIG.  3 . In this position of the anchoring lugs  41 , the stowage piece  11  is locked laterally beside the corner fitting  12 . 
     In particular, FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the cross-latch  38  of the stowage piece  11  and the cross-latch  21  of the upper stowage cone  16  are dimensioned such that, in the locked position of both stowage pieces  10  and  11 , the cross-latch  38  of the stowage piece  11  is located directly above the cross-latch  21  of the stowage piece  10 , as a result of which, when the stowage piece  10  is locked under the corner fitting  12 , the stowage piece  11  in the locked position is secured with a form fit in the slot  14  in the side wall of the corner fitting  12 . In order to unlock the stowage piece  11 , the stowage piece  10  must first be drawn downwards out of the corner fitting  12 , in order that, by rotating the stowage piece  11 , the cross-latch  38  comes into a position rotated through 90° with respect to the illustration in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which it is congruent with the slot  14  and can be withdrawn laterally from the latter. 
     The thickness of the distance piece  37  is dimensioned in a particular way. As FIG. 1 reveals, the distance piece  37  is about half as thick as an interspace  42  between side walls, in particular longitudinal side walls, of corner fittings  12  located beside one another and belonging to adjacent containers. By means of arranging one stowage piece  11  in each case in both lateral slots  14  of mutually oriented corner fittings  12 , the two distance pieces  37  of two identical stowage pieces  11  are located opposite each other in the interspace  42  and virtually completely fill this interspace  42 , since they both have a thickness of about half the interspace  42 , as a result of which block stowage of the containers in adjacent stacks, which is effective in the horizontal direction, is brought about, in which containers in adjacent stacks are supported on each other by their distance pieces  37  projecting with respect to the corner fittings  12 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, an outer side  43  of each distance piece  37  is curved, at least in the vertical direction, namely elevated. This means that when the containers are being stowed, the distance pieces  37  of opposite stowage pieces  11  can slide on one another and, as a result, the containers come into the correct position. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to design the entire outer side  43  to be curved like a saucer, so that the distance pieces  37  of adjacent stowage pieces  11  can slide on one another in the transverse directions as well. 
     FIGS. 5 to  7  show a stowage piece  44  in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. This virtually combines the two stowage pieces  10  and  11  to form a single stowage piece  44 . The stowage piece  44  corresponds in principle to the stowage piece  10 . To this extent, identical reference symbols are used for identical parts. Only the locking element  45  in the aperture  30  in the cone head  28  of the lower stowage cone  17  is designed differently from the locking element  29 . Furthermore, the abutment  46  is angled over, specifically at a right angle. As a result, the abutment  46  is approximately L-shaped in a side view (FIG.  6 ). A longer leg  47  of the abutment  46  is designed for horizontal arrangement between an upper corner fitting  13  and a lower corner fitting  12  of containers stacked one above another. Another, shorter leg  48  is connected in one piece, vertically oriented, to one edge of the long leg  47 . This leg  48  of the abutment  46  forms a distance piece  49 , which in terms of its function corresponds to the distance piece  37  of the separate stowage piece  11 . The distance piece  49  on the abutment  46  thus also rests on a vertical outer side of the corner fitting  12  of the upper container. 
     Permanently connected to the rear side  50  of the distance piece  49 , pointing towards the corner fitting  12 , is an anchoring projection  51  which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is of cylindrical design. This anchoring projection  51  extends so as to be oriented transversely with respect to the rear side  50  of the distance piece  49 . The cylindrical anchoring projection  51  projects through the lateral slot  14  in the corner fitting  12  when the stowage piece  44  is locked in the same. The anchoring projection  51  is arranged on the distance piece  49  in such a way that the cross-latch  21  of the upper stowage cone  16  is located with its flat upper side  20  close underneath the anchoring projection  51 , when in its locked position (FIG.  5 ). If, in the unlocked position, the cross-latch  21  rests in the recess  36  in the centre piece  18 , the spacing between the then shortened upper stowage cone  16  and the underside of the anchoring projection  51  is sufficiently great for the stowage cone  16  to be withdrawn completely from the lower slot  19  in the corner fitting  12 , as a result of which the anchoring projection  51  can correspondingly be moved downwards in the lateral slot  14 . After that, in order to detach the stowage piece  44  completely from the corner fitting  12 , the anchoring projection  51  can be withdrawn from the lateral slot  14  in the corner fitting  12  by means of a sideways movement of the entire stowage piece  44 . 
     Here, the locking element  45  is designed as a latch  53  which can be pivoted in a vertical plane about a horizontal pivot  52 . The pivot  52  is permanently mounted in a lateral upper corner region of the aperture  30  in the cone head  28 . The latch  53  is designed as a double lever with two unequally long legs  54  and  55 , which are angled over, specifically by an obtuse angle. A shorter leg  54  of the latch  53 , which points approximately upwards in the locking position (FIG.  5 ), projects upwards with respect to the rotatable cone head  28  into a corresponding recess  56  in the centre piece  25 . The recess  56  may be a groove which extends in the longitudinal direction of the centre piece  25 , so that the leg  54  of the latch  53  comes into engagement with the groove-like recess  56  in opposite (rotated through 180°) positions of the cone head  28  and, as a result, locks the cross-latch  21  in its locked position. A longer leg  55  of the latch  53  projects obliquely downwards in the locked position shown in FIG. 5 and, in so doing, rests with its end at the bottom on the aperture  30 . As a result of this design and arrangement of the latch  53 , it is ensured that the latch  53  automatically comes into the locking position shown. The locking of the latch  53  is released by raising the lower leg  55  and pivoting the latch in the anticlockwise direction (as referred to the illustration in FIG.  5 ). At the same time, the originally approximately vertically upstanding shorter leg  54  is rotated back from an approximately vertical position into an approximately horizontal position, the projecting end of the leg  54  coming out of the recess  56 , and the cone head  28  being rotatable with respect to the centre piece  25  of the lower stowage cone  17  in order to transfer the cross-latch  21  of the upper stowage cone  16  from the locking position shown in the figures into an unlocking position, in which the cross-latch  21  becomes congruent with the centre piece  18 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further exemplary embodiment of a stowage piece  57 . This stowage piece  57  corresponds in principle to the stowage piece  44 , that is to say it is also used simultaneously to secure the containers of a stack against horizontal displacement and to transmit compression between the containers of adjacent stacks (FIG.  8 ). 
     The stowage piece  57  also has an approximately L-shaped abutment  59 . The abutment  59  has a longer leg  60  located between corner fittings  12  and  13  located one above another, and a shorter leg  61 , moulded in one piece on one side of the leg  60 , to form a distance piece  62 . The distance piece  62  is angled over at a right angle with respect to the long leg  60  and is provided with a greater thickness than the distance piece  49  of the stowage piece  44 . Consequently, the distance pieces  62  of two such stowage pieces  57  can bridge the interspace  58  in FIG. 8, which is somewhat broader than the interspace  42  in FIG.  1 . 
     The longer leg  60  of the abutment  59  between corner fittings  12  and  13  located one above another has a longer stowage cone  63  on its upper side and a shorter stowage cone  64  on its underside. The stowage cones  63  and  64  are connected in one piece to the leg  60  of the abutment  59 , that is to say both are non-rotatable. 
     The stowage piece  57  is locked under a lower corner fitting  12  of an upper container by means of a locking bolt  65  which, oriented approximately horizontally, can be pushed through the distance piece  62  and the upper, longer stowage cone  63 , specifically through appropriate through holes  66 ,  67  in the distance piece  62  and in the stowage cone  63 . The locking bolt  65  extends horizontally through the distance piece  62  and the stowage cone  63 , in that it extends parallel to and at a spacing from the leg  60  of the abutment  59  located between the corner fittings  12  and  13 . 
     The free end of the locking bolt  65  which is pushed through the stowage cone  63  is provided with a laterally projecting securing pin  68 . The securing pin  68  can be pushed through a corresponding groove  70 , which originates from the through hole  67  in the stowage cone  63 , in order to push the locking bolt  65  through the stowage cone  63  or to withdraw it from the latter again. By means of rotating the locking bolt  65  by means of a handle  69  arranged on its opposite end, assigned to the distance piece  62 , the securing pin  68  of the locking bolt  65  can be brought out of alignment with the continuous groove  70  providing the lateral widening of the through hole  67 , as a result of which the locking bolt  65  cannot slide independently out of the stowage cone  63 . 
     Provided in the distance piece  62 , on that side  71  of the distance piece  62  which rests laterally on the corner fitting  12 , is a circumferential widening of the through hole  66 . This widening is used to accommodate the securing pin  68  on the locking bolt  65  when the stowage piece  57  is to be mounted on the corner fitting  12  or removed from the latter. As a result, the end of the locking bolt  65  with the securing pin  68  can be pushed into the distance piece  62  to such an extent that it does not project with respect to the rear side  71 . On the other hand, the securing pin  68  prevents the complete withdrawal of the locking bolt  65  from the distance piece  62 , so that the locking bolt  65  cannot be lost. 
     When the locking bolt  65  is withdrawn completely from the stowage cone  63 , when its right-hand end terminates flush with the rear side  71  of the distance piece  62 , the stowage piece  57  can be fixed under the lower corner fitting of an upper container  12 , in that first of all the stowage cone  63  is pushed through the slot  19  in the lower corner fitting  12  until the horizontal leg  60  of the abutment  59  rests under the corner fitting  12 . At the same time, the distance piece  62  comes to rest beside an outer side face of the corner fitting  12 . By means of pushing the locking bolt  65  through the stowage cone  63 , the locking bolt  65  passes through the lateral slot  14  in the corner fitting  12 . 
     FIGS. 10 to  12  show a stowage piece  72  which essentially corresponds to the stowage piece  57  of FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, however, there is an abutment  73  which is angled over in a T shape and has two legs  74  and  75 . A horizontal leg  74  is located between corner fittings  12 ,  13  located one above another and belonging to two containers, while the respectively angled-over (outer) vertical leg  75  forms a distance piece  76 . The distance piece  76  here projects on both opposite sides of the horizontal leg  74  of the abutment  73 , specifically both upwards and downwards. As a result, the distance piece  76  rests on upright side faces of the two adjacent corner fittings  12 ,  13  of containers stacked one above another. By this means, corner fittings  12 ,  13  on adjacent corners of four containers are mutually supported in the horizontal direction. In the case of the block stowage of containers with the stowage piece  72 , in this way particularly high forces can be transmitted, because upper corner fittings  13  located beside one another, and also lower corner fittings  12  are supported in the horizontal direction, by the distance piece  76  or the leg  75 , against distance pieces  76  of the stowage pieces  72  of adjacent containers of another container stack. The previously described stowage pieces  11 ,  44  and  57  can also be provided with distance pieces  76  which permit the lower corner fittings  12  and upper corner fittings  13  of adjacent containers to be supported. It is also conceivable to provide the stowage piece  72  with a distance piece which is used only to support the lower corner fittings  12  or upper corner fittings  13  of adjacent containers. 
     The rear side  77  of the distance piece  76 , which rests on an upright side of the corner fitting  12 , is connected in one piece to an oval projection  78 . The projecting  78  corresponds to the lateral slot  14  in the corner fitting  12 , so that it can engage in the slot  14  from outside and essentially fills the latter (FIG.  12 ). 
     The horizontal leg  74  of the abutment  73  has a stowage cone  79  and  80 , respectively, at the top and bottom in each case. The upper stowage cone  79  and the lower stowage cone  80  are connected in one piece to the leg  74  of the abutment  73 . The upper stowage cone  79  has, at its upper free end, a laterally projecting anchoring lug  81 . The anchoring lug  81  projects so as to be oriented horizontally with respect to that side of the stowage cone  79  facing away from the distance piece  76 . That side of the stowage cone  79  which is opposite the anchoring lug  81  and points towards the distance piece  76  is provided with a recess, which is assigned a filler  82 . The filler  82  is mounted such that it can be moved up and down in the horizontal leg  74  of the abutment  73  and in the lower stowage cone  80 , specifically in such a way that it can be pressed up by a spring (not shown) into the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The filler  82  can be pressed downwards, counter to the spring force, to such an extent that it leaves the area of the upper stowage cone  79  completely, that is to say terminates with its upper end approximately flush with the upper side of the leg  74  of the abutment  73  (FIG.  11 ). 
     When the filler  82  is pressed down, the upper stowage cone  79 , together with the laterally projecting anchoring lug  81 , has an outline which is somewhat smaller than that of the lower slot  19  in the lower corner fitting  12 . As a result, when the filler  82  is pressed down, the stowage piece  72  can be inserted into the corner fitting  12  from below through the slot  19 . In the process, a flat, horizontal end face  83  of the projection  78  slides past outside the corner fitting  12  on its side wall. As soon as the stowage piece  72  has been fitted under the corner fitting  12 , that is to say the leg  74  of the abutment  73  is resting under the underside of the corner fitting  12 , the entire stowage piece  72  can be displaced with respect to the corner fitting  12  by means of a horizontal displacement in the direction of the centre of the container. In the process, the projection  78  on the rear side  77  of the distance piece  76  comes into engagement with the slot  14  in the corner fitting  12 , and the rear side  77  of the distance piece  76  comes to rest on the side face of the corner fitting  12 . At the same time, the anchoring lug  81  on the stowage cone  79  engages behind the slot  19  of the corner fitting  12  from the inside. In this way, the stowage piece  72  is secured under the corner fitting  12  both by the projection  78  engaging in the lateral slot  14  and also by the anchoring lug  81  engaging from the inside in the corner fitting  12  in the vertical direction under the corner fitting  12 . 
     As a result of the above-described lateral movement of the stowage piece  72  with respect to the corner fitting  12 , an interspace is produced between the slot  19  and the stowage cone  79 , and is filled by the filler  82  when the latter is released and pressed up by the spring force into a position beside the stowage cone  79  (FIG.  12 ). The filler  82  then prevents any horizontal displacement of the stowage piece  72  under the corner fitting  12 , and thus the stowage piece  72  cannot be detached from the corner fitting  12  by being pushed back. 
     List of Reference Symbols 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Stowage piece 
               
               
                 11 
                 Stowage piece 
               
               
                 12 
                 Corner fitting 
               
               
                 13 
                 Corner fitting 
               
               
                 14 
                 Slot 
               
               
                 15 
                 Abutment 
               
               
                 16 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 17 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 18 
                 Centre piece 
               
               
                 19 
                 Slot 
               
               
                 20 
                 Upper side 
               
               
                 21 
                 Cross-latch 
               
               
                 22 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 23 
                 Longitudinal mid-axis 
               
               
                 24 
                 Through hole 
               
               
                 25 
                 Centre piece 
               
               
                 26 
                 Slot 
               
               
                 27 
                 Underside 
               
               
                 28 
                 Cone head 
               
               
                 29 
                 Locking element 
               
               
                 30 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 31 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 32 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 33 
                 Pin 
               
               
                 34 
                 Top wall 
               
               
                 35 
                 Blind hole 
               
               
                 36 
                 Recess 
               
               
                 37 
                 Distance piece 
               
               
                 38 
                 Cross-latch 
               
               
                 39 
                 Centre piece 
               
               
                 40 
                 Rear side 
               
               
                 41 
                 Anchoring lug 
               
               
                 42 
                 Interspace 
               
               
                 43 
                 Outer side 
               
               
                 44 
                 Stowage piece 
               
               
                 45 
                 Locking element 
               
               
                 46 
                 Abutment 
               
               
                 47 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 48 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 49 
                 Distance piece 
               
               
                 50 
                 Rear side 
               
               
                 51 
                 Anchoring projection 
               
               
                 52 
                 Pivot 
               
               
                 53 
                 Latch 
               
               
                 54 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 55 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 56 
                 Recess 
               
               
                 57 
                 Stowage piece 
               
               
                 58 
                 Interspace 
               
               
                 59 
                 Abutment 
               
               
                 60 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 61 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 62 
                 Distance piece 
               
               
                 63 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 64 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 65 
                 Locking bolt 
               
               
                 66 
                 Through hole 
               
               
                 67 
                 Through hole 
               
               
                 68 
                 Securing pin 
               
               
                 69 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 70 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 71 
                 Rear side 
               
               
                 72 
                 Stowage piece 
               
               
                 73 
                 Abutment 
               
               
                 74 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 75 
                 Leg 
               
               
                 76 
                 Distance piece 
               
               
                 77 
                 Rear side 
               
               
                 78 
                 Projection 
               
               
                 79 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 80 
                 Stowage cone 
               
               
                 81 
                 Anchoring lug 
               
               
                 82 
                 Filler 
               
               
                 83 
                 End face