X-direction locking device for a freight securing system in a freight or cargo hold of an aircraft

A freight securing system for securing freight against movement, comprising:

• a guide rail extending lengthwise in an X-direction and adapted to guide the freight therealong,
• a YZ locking device adapted to secure the freight against movement in two mutually perpendicular Y- and Z-directions that are perpendicular to said X-direction, and
• an X locking device mounted on said guide rail and adapted to secure the freight against movement in said X-direction;
• wherein said X locking device comprises a mounting base fixedly mounted on said guide rail and a locking member pivotally connected to said mounting base at a pivot axis extending in said X-direction so that said locking member is pivotable about said pivot axis between a locking position in which said locking member is adapted to block the freight against movement in said X-direction and an unlocking position in which said locking member is adapted to be clear of and not block the freight for movement in said X-direction;
• wherein the freight includes a freight unit selected from a freight container and a freight pallet, the freight unit has a base rim protruding outwardly at a bottom perimeter of the freight unit, and said locking member in said locking position is adapted to blockingly contact the base rim of the freight unit so as to block movement of the freight unit in said X-direction;
• wherein said guide rail comprises a substantially vertical rail web, said YZ locking device comprises a substantially horizontal guide flange extending laterally from and along a top edge of said rail web and a substantially vertical guide surface provided on said rail web below said guide flange;
• and
• wherein said guide flange and said guide surface are adapted to guidingly engage the base rim of the freight unit so as to prevent movement of the freight unit in said Y- and Z-directions.

A freight securing system for securing freight against movement, comprising:

• a guide rail extending lengthwise in an X-direction and adapted to guide the freight therealong,
• a YZ locking device adapted to secure the freight against movement in two mutually perpendicular Y- and Z-directions that are perpendicular to said X-direction, and
• an X locking device mounted on said guide rail and adapted to secure the freight against movement in said X-direction;
• wherein said X locking device comprises a mounting base fixedly mounted on said guide rail and a locking member pivotally connected to said mounting base at a pivot axis extending in said X-direction so that said locking member is pivotable about said pivot axis between a locking position in which said locking member is adapted to block the freight against movement in said X-direction and an unlocking position in which said locking member is adapted to be clear of and not block the freight for movement in said X-direction;
• wherein said mounting base and said guide rail comprise respective mating surface configurations that provide a form-locking connection between said mounting base and said guide rail at least in said X-direction;
• wherein said respective mating surface configurations comprise a form-lock groove and a form-lock rib that is form-fitting into said form-lock groove, and
• wherein said form-lock groove and said form-lock rib have a major extension axis perpendicular to said X-direction.

A freight securing system for securing freight against movement, comprising a guide rail extending lengthwise in an X-direction and adapted to guide the freight therealong, a YZ locking device adapted to secure the freight against movement in two mutually perpendicular Y- and Z-directions that are perpendicular to said X-direction, and an X locking device mounted on said guide rail and adapted to secure the freight against movement in said X-direction,

• wherein said X locking device comprises a mounting base fixedly mounted on said guide rail and a locking member pivotally connected to said mounting base at a pivot axis extending in said X-direction so that said locking member is pivotable about said pivot axis between a locking position in which said locking member is adapted to block the freight against movement in said X-direction and an unlocking position in which said locking member is adapted to be clear of and not block the freight for movement in said X-direction, said locking member comprises a U-shaped or L-shaped locking pawl with a clearance throat between a free end of said locking pawl and said pivot axis, said locking pawl reaches over and around said guide rail with said guide rail received in said clearance throat when said locking member is in said locking position, and said guide rail has a continuous uniform configuration extending without interruption through said clearance throat.