US 4,626,155 AGranted

Automatic container securement device with a spring biased, cam surfaced head

AssigneeMacLean-Fogg Company

InventorsEmil J. Hlinsky, Stephen W. Simek

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Abstract

A device for automatically securing a cargo container to a support such as a deck of a vehicle or a second container with which the first container is to be stacked. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the locking opening of the container. A head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a spring within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. Visible indication of the locked position and positive locking of the head in the locked position may be provided. For stacked containers, two aligned shear blocks and two angularly offset heads are provided and the spring may be released for manual locking of the device to one container followed by automatic locking to the second container.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A container securement device for securing a container in a secured position adjacent a support, said container having a noncircular locking opening, said device comprising in combination:

a base adapted to be secured to the support;
a shaft supported by said base for rotation around an axis extending through the locking opening as the container is secured;
a head carried by said shaft and adapted to move relative to said container through said opening;
said head having a shape permitting said head to move through said locking opening in an unlocked rotational position of said head and preventing movement of said head through said opening in a rotationally offset locked position of said head;
a spring connected between said shaft and said base biasing said head toward said locked position and permitting said head to rotate to said unlocked position in response to an application of torque to said shaft;
and
actuating means engagable by said container upon relative movement of said container and said base for applying torque to said shaft for moving said head to said unlocked position and permitting movement of said head through said locking opening;
said actuating means releasing said shaft for return to said locked position upon complete movement of said head through said locking opening.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.