Container connector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsMark E. Capron, Craig Sarsfield, Bradley Posadas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to a container connector having independently adjuble and locking ends, each end configured to be inserted into an opening of a cargo container and rotated to lock the connector with the container. When inserted and locked the connector holds two adjacent ends of adjacent containers in a spaced relationship. Locking mechanisms are provided for retaining each locking end in the locked or unlocked position. The ends of the connector may be adjusted to accommodate containers with different end spacing requirements.
Claims3
A connector for joining and holding together cargo containers having openings therein comprising:
- a threaded shaft;
- first and second locking ends said first locking end integrally formed with said threaded shaft and said second locking end rotatably connected to said threaded shaft and removable therefrom;
- said first locking end including a fixed head integral with one end of said threaded shaft, a first nut communicating with and affixed to said threaded shaft, a first washer affixed and abutting to said first nut on a first side of said first washer, a first journal communicating with said threaded shaft and abutting on one end a second side of said first washer and on the other end said fixed head and a spacer rotatably located over said first journal and between said second side of said first washer and said fixed head;
- said second locking end including a second nut rotatably communicating with said threaded shaft, a second washer affixed and abutting said second nut on a first side of said second washer, a second journal rotatably communicating with said threaded shaft and affixed on one end to a second side of said second washer, a rotating head pivotally communicating with said threaded shaft and abutting and affixed to a second side of said second journal, a second spacer pivotally located over said second journal and between said second side of said second washer and said rotating head, said second locking end rotatable about said threaded shaft;
- means in said first and said second locking ends for locking said first and said second ends in an unlocked or locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.