System for securing containers with compressive and torsional actuating unit
AssigneeStaffa IPI, LLC
InventorPeter J. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for locking and unlocking containers to transport modes and other containers comprises an actuating unit in an upper corner fitting of a container, a mechanical connecting means connected to the actuating unit, and guides to route the connecting means from the actuating unit to a rotatable locking leg housed in a lower corner fitting of the container. The twistlock of a lifting spreader engages the upper corner fitting of a container, urging the actuating unit. The connecting means is in turn urged, thereby causing the locking leg to rotate.
Claims21
A shipping container locking system comprising:
- an actuating unit housed in an interior space of an upper corner fitting of a shipping container, said actuating unit comprising a compression plate and a vertical return means, said compression plate and vertical return means configured to move in a generally vertical, rotational direction within said interior space of the upper corner fitting;
- a locking mechanism at least partially housed in an interior space of a lower corner fitting of the shipping container, said locking mechanism comprising an internal locking leg and a body, each having a slot formed therethrough, said locking mechanism also comprising a locking leg shaft having a cylindrical section protruding through said slots of said internal locking leg and body and being connected to a locking leg having an elongated base;
- a coupling linkage, said coupling linkage connecting said actuating unit with said locking mechanism;
- a return means, said return means communicating elastically between said locking leg shaft and said internal locking leg and body, wherein a force can be applied about a central axis of the cylindrical section of said locking leg shaft;
- wherein a compressive force can be applied to said actuating unit to cause a generally vertical movement of said actuating unit;
- wherein a torsional force can be applied to said actuating unit to cause rotation of said actuating unit;
- wherein the rotation of said actuating unit imparts a tension force on said coupling linkage;
- wherein the tension force on said coupling linkage causes a movement of said coupling linkage;
- wherein the movement of said coupling linkage imparts a torsional force on the locking mechanism;
- and
- wherein the torsional force on the locking mechanism causes rotation of the locking mechanism.
An apparatus to unlock a container twistlock, comprising:
- an actuating unit housed in an interior space of an upper corner fitting of a shipping container;
- said interior space comprising a floor, walls, and a ceiling;
- said actuating unit comprising a compression plate and a vertical return means, said compression plate having an interior surface and a bottom surface, said compression plate configured to move up and down in a generally vertical direction and to rotate in a generally horizontal direction;
- a locking mechanism housed in a lower corner fitting of the shipping container;
- a coupling linkage, said coupling linkage connecting said actuating unit to said locking mechanism;
- wherein a torsional force can be applied to said compression plate rotating the compression plate along a generally horizontal plane;
- wherein said torsional force is converted to a tension force by said compression plate, said tension force acting on said coupling linkage to cause a movement of said coupling linkage;
- and wherein the movement of said coupling linkage causes the locking mechanism to rotate and lock or unlock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.