Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This invention relates generally to the securing of a
container or containers onto a supporting frame, and particularly
to a container lock assembly which will permit varying sizes and
quantities of containers to be placed on a platform trailer.
The trend toward use of containers to haul and store
cargo, and the like, has created the problem of securing the con-
tainers to a platform trailer or other suitable vehicle which
transports the containers. For example, given a 40 foot nominal
platform trailer, a shipper may desire to secure a 40 foot con-
tainer thereon, or an intermix of containers of various sizes
from five feet to 35 feet in place of the single container.
Prior systems for securing containers in such a manner were rather
limited, inasmuch as the variety of types and sizes of containers
which could be secured simultaneously on a 40 foot nominal plat-
form trailer was far less than desired. One known system employs
adjustable couplers and corner fittings to secure the containers,
and to secure a desired intermix including several of the smaller
type containers of only five to ten feet, would require the
trailer to be almost 50 feet long.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
container lock agsembly which will permit an intermix of con-
tainers 35 feet and less to be secured on a 40 foot nominal plat-
form trailer, even when the intermix is quite varied and quanti-
ties depend upon which sizes are to be transported.
It is another object of the present invention to pro-
vide a container lock assembly in which all major size containers,
those from 20 to 40 feet, are secured with permanent non-removable
fittings, and/or container lock assembliesO
It is still another object of the presen~ invention to
provide a container lock assembly including a rail with which -
conventional cargo control fittings, securement fittings such as
J-hooks and turn buckles, chain assemblies, webbing anchors, and
--1--
-, - . : .
~i~4~
`-he like, and conventional stakes permitting use of break bulk
racks or converter~sides can be used as aesired,
The above objects are met by the present invention
which broadly provides a lock member for use in a container
lock assembly, comprising a body member including a base portion
arrangeable engageable with a rail provided on a vehicle frame,
and a stem portion extending away from the base portion, the
stem portion of the body member having a through hole disposed
perpendicularly to the extent of the stem portion away from the
1~ base member, the hole being arranged for removably receiving a
lock pin, and the stem portion being further provided with
restraining means for engaging the associated rail and preventing
rotation of the base portion of the body member relative to the
rail, the base portion of the body member includiny a shank
extending from the stem portion, and a pair of tabs depending
. from the shank spaced from the stem portion, the rail being
provided with a cutout, and the tabs being arranged for fitting
into the cutout provided in the rail and engaging with and
disengaging from the rail upon a rotating motion of the body
member about the longitudinal extent of the stem portion.
The restraining device may include a rod having a
head and mounted in a bore provided in the stem portion of the
bod~ member for reciprocating movement relative to the stem
portion, A recess provided in the stem portion so as to com-
municate with the bore receives the head of the rod, while a
cavity provided in the stem portion so as to interrupt the bore
has inserted therein a compression spring which en~ages with
a flange provided on the rod so as to bias the rod toward the
rail. The head of the rod facilitates movement of the rod
against the bias of the spring
;o as to disengage the rod from the rail and permit the body
member to be rotated and removed from the cutout provided in the
rail.
The cutout provided in the rail is substantially circu-
lar in plan, with the pair of ears which receive the tabs of the
base portion of the body member being arranged at a smallest in-
cluded angle of less than 180 degrees about the periphery of the
cutout. A groove is arranged substantially one-half the distance
of the angle complementary to the smallest included angle between
the ears for receiving the rod of the restraining device and pre-
venting rotation of the body member relative to the rail once the
body member is in a locked position.
The lock pin preferably has a substantially F-shape, and
includes an elongated shaft having a pair of longitudinally spaced
ends. A lug is provided at one of the ends of the shaft, with
the hole provided in the stem portion being configured for receiv-
ing the shaft and lug, At the other of the ends of the shaft is
arranged a pair of codirectionally extending projections spaced
from one another along the longitudinal extent of the shaft.
One of the projections disposed close to the lug is shorter than
the other of the projections, and is arranged for engaging a con-
tainer abutment and retaining the container on the associated
rail.
Figure 1 is a schematic, side elevational view showing a
platform trailer fitted with a container lock assembly according
to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic, top plan view showing the plat-
form trailer and lock assembly arrangement of Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary, perspective, sectional view
showing a detail of one of the side rails seen in Figs. 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view
taken generally along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.
-3-
- , .. . : - :
z~
Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view
taken generally along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the
line 6--6 of Fig. 5, but with the rail removed.
Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view ~`
taken generally along the line 7--7 of Fig. 3.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a lock pin for use
with a container lock assembly according to the present invention.
Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic, top plan
view showing the upper left rail portion of the arrangement seen in
Fig. 2.
Figure 10 is an enlarged, schematic, top plan view show-
ing the cutout required for the permanent retractable twist lock.
Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view
showing in detail the first cutout to the right of the area covered
in Fig. 10, as seen in Fig. 9.
Figure 12 is a sectional view taken generally along the
line 12--12 of Fig. 11.
Figure 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic, top
plan view showing in detail the vicinity of the second cutout from
the right of the left hand section of the rail shown in Fig~ 9.
Figure 14 is a sectional view taken generally along the
line 14--14 of Fig. 13.
Figure 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic, top
plan view showing in detail the stake socket arranged at the
right hand end of the left hand section of the rail shown in
`Fig. 9.
Figure 16 is a sectional view taken generally along the
line 16--16 of Fig. 15.
Figure 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic, top
plan view showing angle cutouts for use with conventional hook
assemblies, the cutouts appearing at the right hand end of the
left hand section of the rail shown in Fig. 9.
2~ :
Figure 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic, top
plan view showing the coupling between the two rail sections seen
in ~ig. 9.
Figure 19 is a sectional view taken generally along the
line 19--19 of Fig. 18.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of
the drawings, discloses a platform trailer 10 supporting a pair
of conventional containers 12. These containers are of a conven-
tional construction, and could be, for example, the 5', 6-2/3',
10', 20', and 40' containers as manufactured by "ISO", 24' type
as manufactured by "MATSON", and a 35' type fabricated by "SEALAND".
Arranged on each longitudially extending peripheral portion of
platform trailer 10 are rails 14 and 14' according to the present
invention, each comprising three sections 16, 16', 18, 18', and 20,
20', respectively. A bed 22 is mount on the chassis 10 between
rails 14 and 14' to form a platform portion of the trailer.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 through 8 of
` the drawings, a container lock assembly according to the present
invention is shown in detail. As can be seen from these figures,
each of the rails 14, 14' includes a web 24 disposed substantial-
ly coplanar with bed 22 of the platform trailer. Arrangeable
engaged with this web 24 is a body member 26 including a base
portion 28 which extends into a cutout 30 provided at appropriate
points along web 24. Body member 26 also includes a stem portion
32 which extends away from base portion 28 and has a through hole
34 disposed perpendicularly to the extent of the stem portion 32.
A lock pin 36 is removably attachable to the stem portion 32 of
body member 26 as by insertion into the hole 34 for engaging an
abutment 38 forming a portion of a container 12 in order to re-
tain the container 12 in place against the rail 14, 14'.
-5
.. . . . . . . . . .
The base portion 28 of body member 26 includes a shank
40 extending from stem portion 32 and terminating in a pair of
tabs 42 and 42' depending perpendicularly from shank 40 in a
common plane with one another, and spaced from the adjacent
surface of stem portion 32 so as to form a gap. Tabs 42 and 42'
are arranged for fitting into ears 44 and 44' provided in the
periphery of the substantially circular cutout 30, and because of
the aforementioned gap formed between stem portion 32 and tabs 42,
42', rotation of stem portion 32 about its longitudinal extent
will cause the tabs 42, 42' to enage against a backing plate 46
and secure the body member 26 to web 24 of an associated rail 14,
14'.
Stem portion 32 of body member 26 includes a restraining
device 48 arranged for engaging the associated rail 14, 14' and
preventing rotation of the base portion 28 relative to the rail
14, 14'. This device 48 includes a longitudinally extending rod
50 slidably mounted in a bore 52 provided in stem portion 32 for
reciprocating motion relative to portion 32, with a recess 54
also being provided in stem portion 32 and arranged in communi-
cation with bore 52 so as to receive a head 56 of rod 50. A
. cavity 58 is formed in stem portion 32 so as to interrupt the
longitudinal extent of bore 52, with a suitable coil compression
spring 60 inserted in the cavity 58 so that the coils of spring
60 surround the rod 50 and engage a flange 62 affixed to rod 50
and arranged between the end of the spring closest to base portion
28 and the base portion 28 itself. In this manner, spring 60 biases
rod 50 downwardly toward base portion 28 and the associated rail
14, 14' with head 56 being disposed in recess 54 so as to permit
. a force to be applied on rod 50 against the bias of spring 60 in
order to cause the terminal end of rod 50 to be disengaged from a
groove 64 provided in the periphery of cutout 30.
-6-
11~49~2~
The ears 44 and 44' formed in the periphery of cutout
30 are advantageously arranged at a smallest included angle be-
tween same of less than 180 degrees, with groove ~4 being arranged
substantially one-half the distance of the angle complementary to
the smallest included angle between the ears 44, 44'.
Lock pin 36 has a substantially F-shape, and includes
an elongated shaft 66 terminating in a pair of longitudinally
spaced ends. A lug 68 is provided at one of the ends of shaft 66,
with the hole 34 provided in stem portion 32 being configured for
receiving the shaft 66 and lug 68. A pair of projections 70 and
72 extend codirectionally from the other of the ends of shaft 66
in spaced relation to one another relative to the longitudinal
extent of shaft 66, Projection 70, being closest to lug 68, is
arranged for engaging abutment 38 of a container 12 and retaining
the container 12 on the associated rail 14, 14', while the other
projection 72 facilitates manipulation of lock pin 36, and also
is used to engage head 56 in order to release rod 50 from groove
64.
Shaf~ 66 is provided with a slot 74 adjacent the other
of the ends of shaft 66 for receiving a conventional railroad
type seal (not shown). The portion of the slot 74 which opens
into the adjacent end face of shaft 66, at a slant relative to
the extent of projection 72, is blocked in a suitable manner,
such as by weld 76 to retain the seal.
As can be seen from Figs. 9 through 19, each of the
rails 14, 14', with it being understood that rail 14 is identical
in construction, although the flange extends oppositely. Rail
14' includes a plurality of cutouts 30 spaced along the extent
thereof as shown. A clearance hole 78 is provided for permitting
a retractable twistlock, not shown but of conventional construc-
tion, to protrude through the rail 14'. Further, transverse
`: :
-7-
~ , . ... . . .
1~4~21
~races 80 are provided in rail 14' on either side of the cutouts
30 so as to cooperate with the backing plate 46 and rigidify the
rail 14' adjacent the cutout 30. Stake pockets 82 are convenient-
ly built into the rail 14' on9 for example, 24" centers, so as to
allow use of conventional break bulk racks and converter-sides
(not shown) without any loose fittings. Rail 14' also incor- ;~
porates angled apertures 84 located, for example, centrally of
and at the right hand end of section 16' of rail 14' to accept
conventional cargo control fittings (not shown) and for a mode
of securing the smaller type containers to rail 14' in various
combinations.
Section 16' of rail 14' is coupled to section 18'
thereof as by the U-shaped connector 86 suitably welded or other-
wise affixed to the adjacent end portions of sections 16' and 18'.
It is to be understood that although three sections are shown
coupled together to form each rail 14, 14', the number of sections
may vary depending upon the over-all length of the platform
trailer or other vehicle on which the rails are mounted.
To secure a container or containers 12 on a platform
trailer 10, body member 26 is inserted into the contoured cutout
30 in the appropriate side rail 14, 14', and the body member 26 is
rotated, for example, counterclockwise until the spring loaded rod
50 engages groove 64 provided in the periphery of cutout 30. When
four, for example, of the body members 26 are inserted into re-
spective cutouts 30 and locked in the rail 14, 14', a container
12 with which the four body members 26 are associated is ready
for loading. After the container 12 is positioned on the stem
portions 32 of the body members 26, and rests upon the side rails
14, 14', the lock pin 36 is inserted through the hole 34 provided
in stem portion 32 of body member 26, and is rotated, for example,
counterclockwise until the casting or abutmènt 38 of container 12
restricts the travel of projection 70. Lock pin 36 is now locked
4~21
oetween body member 26 and abutment 38. With lock pin 36 inserted
as described, the container 12 is ready for over-the-road travel.
To unload a container 12, the lock pin 36 is rotated,
for example, clockwise and withdrawn from the hole 34 of stem
- portion 32, and the container can be lifted off the stem portion
32 once all of the lock pins 36 associated with a container 12
have been so removed.
To remove the body member 26 from the associated side
rail 14, 14', the tapered projection 72 provided on lock pin 36
is inserted below the head 56 of rod 50 so as to abut against the
slope surface 88 of recess 54, and an upward pressure applied as
can be seen in Fig, 5. When the spring loaded rod 50 is free of
the web 24 of the associated side rail 14, 14', body member 26
can be rotated, for example, clockwise and withdrawn from the
side rail 14, 14'.
As can be appreciated ~rom the above description and
from the drawings, a container lock assembly according to the
present invention provided a rugged and reliable, but versatile
~ system for intermixing various types and sizes of containers on a
~ 20 platform trailer, and the like. Further, once a container is
locked on the side rails of the system and the locking lock pin
sealed in place, the assemblies are essentially tamper-free,
inasmuch as any tampering with the lock assemblies will be ~-
im:ediAtely discerned.
.
.
~:
