US3753272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Releasable container interlock
Assignee: RCM ASSOCIATES Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-13
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1992-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for releasably locking large ocean-type vertically stacked cargo containers to each other. A body is disposed between the containers, spaces the containers apart and is fitted with a cone that can be rotated from an open position into a locked position in which the cone engages an undercut in corner fittings of the container by actuating a handle that protrudes horizontally through a slot-like opening in a side of the body. The body is also fitted with means to secure it to a corner fitting of the lower container at least while the cone locks the upper container to the body.
Inventors
- 👤 W Laidley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/0006; B65D90/0013; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
315 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with respect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slghtly greater than thE spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby lock the body to the container, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, a resiliently flexible actuating handle secured to the shaft portion and extending through the slot for rotating the member about the upright axis within the limits defined by the slot, stop blocks adjacent each end of the slot, the blocks having a first sloping surface facing each other and a second, substantially vertical surface spaced from the adjoining slot ends a sufficient distance to define spaces for the positioning of the handle between the slot ends and the vertical surfaces, the blocks further having a height so that movement of the handle in the slot causes a transverse deflection of the handle along the sloping surfaces, a subsequent resilient position of the handle in the spaces, and a resulting locking of the handle in one or the other position, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
315 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with respect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slghtly greater than thE spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby lock the body to the container, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, a resiliently flexible actuating handle secured to the shaft portion and extending through the slot for rotating the member about the upright axis within the limits defined by the slot, stop blocks adjacent each end of the slot, the blocks having a first sloping surface facing each other and a second, substantially vertical surface spaced from the adjoining slot ends a sufficient distance to define spaces for the positioning of the handle between the slot ends and the vertical surfaces, the blocks further having a height so that movement of the handle in the slot causes a transverse deflection of the handle along the sloping surfaces, a subsequent resilient position of the handle in the spaces, and a resulting locking of the handle in one or the other position, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
295 words
Apparatus for locking a large ocean-type shipping container to a base or to a lower container, the container including a standard corner fitting having an oblong opening and an undercut, the apparatus comprising: a body having parallel faces for placement against lower fitting means having an oblong opening and an underside of the corner fitting, aligned first and second protrusions extending from the faces dimensioned for positioning within the openings, the first protrusion being defined by a lower section which is angularly offset with respect to the second protrusion and which has substantially the same cross section as the second protrusion, and an upper section terminating at the body face which is aligned with the second protrusion and which has a cross section that is wholly within an outline of the lower section so that the apparatus can be secured to the fitting means by first aligning the lower section with the opening in the fitting means, placing the lower body face against the fitting means, and thereafter rotating the apparatus about a vertical axis until the upper section engages walls of the opening whereby the lower section is disposed in an undercut of the fitting means and prevents axial movement of the apparatus with respect to the fitting means, a locking cone disposed at an end of the second protrusion, the cone having a base of substantially the same outline as a cross section of the second protrusion, shaft means depending from the cone, means mounting the shaft means for rotation with respect to the body and the protrusions, and means on the exterior of the body for rotating the cone from an unlocked position aligned with the upper protrusion to a locked position in which the cone is angularly offset from the protrusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
295 words
Apparatus for locking a large ocean-type shipping container to a base or to a lower container, the container including a standard corner fitting having an oblong opening and an undercut, the apparatus comprising: a body having parallel faces for placement against lower fitting means having an oblong opening and an underside of the corner fitting, aligned first and second protrusions extending from the faces dimensioned for positioning within the openings, the first protrusion being defined by a lower section which is angularly offset with respect to the second protrusion and which has substantially the same cross section as the second protrusion, and an upper section terminating at the body face which is aligned with the second protrusion and which has a cross section that is wholly within an outline of the lower section so that the apparatus can be secured to the fitting means by first aligning the lower section with the opening in the fitting means, placing the lower body face against the fitting means, and thereafter rotating the apparatus about a vertical axis until the upper section engages walls of the opening whereby the lower section is disposed in an undercut of the fitting means and prevents axial movement of the apparatus with respect to the fitting means, a locking cone disposed at an end of the second protrusion, the cone having a base of substantially the same outline as a cross section of the second protrusion, shaft means depending from the cone, means mounting the shaft means for rotation with respect to the body and the protrusions, and means on the exterior of the body for rotating the cone from an unlocked position aligned with the upper protrusion to a locked position in which the cone is angularly offset from the protrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means mounting the shaft means to the body comprises flange means extending laterally from the shaft means, and means fixed with respect to the body for engaging the flange means at least when the cone is angularly offset with respect to the second protrusion to thereby prevent axial cone movements when the cone is in a locking position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including spring means for locking the cone against accidental rotatable movement at least when the cone is angularly offset with respect to the second protrusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the body includes a horizontally oriented opening, and wherein the cone rotating means comprises a handle secured to the shaft means, and extending through the opening to the exterior of the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spring means is defined by the handle and the handle has an elongate configuration and is Constructed of a resiliently deformable material, and including means for locking the handle against accidental movement when the handle is in its relaxed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
278 words
Apparatus for vertically interlocking containers with standard ocean container corner fittings having a vertically oriented oblong opening and an undercut, the apparatus comprising: a central member including fixed oblong upper and lower protrusions and an intermediate body for supporting the container, the body including an open side disposed between the protrusions and aligned, substantially cylindrical apertures defined in ends of the protrusions, the apertures including aligned cutback portions, a locking cone disposed above the upper protrusion and having a base that is complementary to a cross section of the upper protrusion, a shaft depending from the base through the apertures and past an end of the lower protrusion, the shaft having a diameter complementary to the diameter of the cylindrical apertures and at least one flange extending laterally from the shaft and disposed below the lower protrusion, the flange having a configuration complementary to that of the cutbacks on the apertures to permit axial withdrawal of the shaft and the cone from the apertures by aligning the flange with the cutbacks, and a handle secured to the shaft and extending laterally therefrom past the open side for rotating the shaft and the cone about the axis of the apertures from an unlocked position in which the base is aligned with the upper protrusion to a locked position in which the base is offset with respect to the upper protrusion so that the cone is disposed within the undercut when the upper protrusion extends into the opening whereby the corresponding container is locked to the body, and means for releasably securing the downwardly extending protrusion to a lower fitting of a lower container or a base against vertical movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
278 words
Apparatus for vertically interlocking containers with standard ocean container corner fittings having a vertically oriented oblong opening and an undercut, the apparatus comprising: a central member including fixed oblong upper and lower protrusions and an intermediate body for supporting the container, the body including an open side disposed between the protrusions and aligned, substantially cylindrical apertures defined in ends of the protrusions, the apertures including aligned cutback portions, a locking cone disposed above the upper protrusion and having a base that is complementary to a cross section of the upper protrusion, a shaft depending from the base through the apertures and past an end of the lower protrusion, the shaft having a diameter complementary to the diameter of the cylindrical apertures and at least one flange extending laterally from the shaft and disposed below the lower protrusion, the flange having a configuration complementary to that of the cutbacks on the apertures to permit axial withdrawal of the shaft and the cone from the apertures by aligning the flange with the cutbacks, and a handle secured to the shaft and extending laterally therefrom past the open side for rotating the shaft and the cone about the axis of the apertures from an unlocked position in which the base is aligned with the upper protrusion to a locked position in which the base is offset with respect to the upper protrusion so that the cone is disposed within the undercut when the upper protrusion extends into the opening whereby the corresponding container is locked to the body, and means for releasably securing the downwardly extending protrusion to a lower fitting of a lower container or a base against vertical movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 including means for releasably retaining the handle adjacent one or the other end of the open side to lock the cone in an open or a closed position and prevent accidental release of the container interlock, the handle retaining means including means for indicating to an operator that the handle is in a locked position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus acording to claim 8 wherein the handle is laterally resilient, and wherein the handle retaining means comprises means positioned in the normal path of the handle as it moves between ends of the open body side for retaining the handle in one of the two positions so that release of the handle from such positions requires the application of a force to deflect the handle and clear the last mentioned means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the open side is positioned to face in the direction of a container end when the upper protrusion engages the opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the open side faces in the direction of a longer axis of the cross section of the upper protrusion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
272 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with respect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slightly greater than the spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis between first and second positions, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby locK the body to the container when it is in one of the positions, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, spring means cooperating with the shaft portion for opposing rotatable shaft movements when the member is in one or the other of the positions, control means permitting the spring means to stay in a relatively unstressed state when the member is in one or the other of said positions and placing the spring means in a relatively stressed state for movement of the member from one of said positions to the other one, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
272 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with respect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slightly greater than the spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis between first and second positions, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby locK the body to the container when it is in one of the positions, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, spring means cooperating with the shaft portion for opposing rotatable shaft movements when the member is in one or the other of the positions, control means permitting the spring means to stay in a relatively unstressed state when the member is in one or the other of said positions and placing the spring means in a relatively stressed state for movement of the member from one of said positions to the other one, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container lock according to claim 12 wherein the control means includes two surfaces that are angularly inclined with respect to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container lock according to claim 12 wherein the control means is disposed in the slot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A container lock according to claim 14 wherein the spring means is defined by a resilient handle secured to the shaft portion and extending through the slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container lock according to claim 15 wherein the control means comprises means disposed between ends of the slot for intercepting the handle during movements between the slot ends and deflecting the handle into its relatively stressed state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
296 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with repsect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slightly greater than the spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby lock the body to the container, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, a resiliently flexible actuating handle secured to the shaft portion and extending through the slot for rotating the member about the upright axis within the limits defined by the slot, means disposed adjacent each end of the slot for intercepting movements of the handle within the slot and for deflecting the handle from its relaxed position, the intercepting means terminating short of the slot ends a sufficient distance to define spaces for positioning of the relaxed handle between the slot ends and the intercepting means so that a resilient positioning of the handle in the spaces results in a corresponding locking of the handle in one or the other position, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
296 words
A container lock for securing an upper container against relative movement with repsect to a base, the container having a corner fitting at a lower container corner, the corner fitting including an oblong, vertical opening terminating in an undercut, the lock comprising a body for supporting an underside of the corner fitting on the base, the body including a horizontally oriented slot communicating an interior of the body with the exterior thereof, a protrusion having a cross section complementary to that of the opening for extending into the opening, the protrusion having a height slightly greater than the spacing between the underside of the corner fitting and the undercut, a locking member rotatable with respect to the body and the protrusion about an upright axis, means securing the member to the body against axial movement, the member having a configuration permitting it to pass through the opening and for positioning a portion of the member in the undercut to thereby lock the body to the container, the member including a shaft portion extending into the body interior, a resiliently flexible actuating handle secured to the shaft portion and extending through the slot for rotating the member about the upright axis within the limits defined by the slot, means disposed adjacent each end of the slot for intercepting movements of the handle within the slot and for deflecting the handle from its relaxed position, the intercepting means terminating short of the slot ends a sufficient distance to define spaces for positioning of the relaxed handle between the slot ends and the intercepting means so that a resilient positioning of the handle in the spaces results in a corresponding locking of the handle in one or the other position, and means for securing the body to the base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the intercepting means includes sloped surfaces to facilitate the deflection of the handle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |