US3781947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling apparatus for containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-09
•
Granted: 1974-01-01
•
Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract Coupling mechanism for joining a pair of adjacent containers together. The mechanism includes a pair of corner fittings, one being mounted in one container and the other in an opposite corner of an adjacent container. A threaded element having a spherical end is retractable from the interior of one corner fitting to engage a keeper element on the other corner fitting. The opposed corner fittings include complemental key portions for precision alignment and, are effective to transmit vertical and lateral forces between the containers when fastened together.
Inventors
- 👤 J Germer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P7/00; B60P7/06; B60P7/13; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
Coupling apparaTus for fixturing the corners of a pair of adjacently arranged containers and locking the same in place relative to one another, comprising in combination one corner fitting defining track means and mounted in one of said containers, a second corner fitting mounted in said other adjacently arranged container, complemental key means disposed on opposed surfaces of said one and said second corner fittings, threaded rod means, a shaft mounted in said one corner fitting, resilient means associated with said shaft means and said rod means for normally retracting said threaded rod means along and within said track means within said one corner fitting, spherical bearing means mounting one end of said threaded rod means to permit universal pivotal movement of said threaded rod means with respect to said one corner fitting, keeper means associated with said second corner fitting, said rod means being pivotally movable into engagement with said keeper means, and nut means associated with said rod means and cooperable with said keeper means for drawing said one and said second corner fittings of said adjacently arranged containers together so that said complemental key means are in mating engagement with one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
Coupling apparaTus for fixturing the corners of a pair of adjacently arranged containers and locking the same in place relative to one another, comprising in combination one corner fitting defining track means and mounted in one of said containers, a second corner fitting mounted in said other adjacently arranged container, complemental key means disposed on opposed surfaces of said one and said second corner fittings, threaded rod means, a shaft mounted in said one corner fitting, resilient means associated with said shaft means and said rod means for normally retracting said threaded rod means along and within said track means within said one corner fitting, spherical bearing means mounting one end of said threaded rod means to permit universal pivotal movement of said threaded rod means with respect to said one corner fitting, keeper means associated with said second corner fitting, said rod means being pivotally movable into engagement with said keeper means, and nut means associated with said rod means and cooperable with said keeper means for drawing said one and said second corner fittings of said adjacently arranged containers together so that said complemental key means are in mating engagement with one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
285 words
Coupling apparatus for fixturing the corners of a pair of adjacently arranged containers and locking the same in place relative to one another, comprising in combination one corner fitting including track means mounted in one of said containers and a second corner fitting mounted in said other adjacently arranged container, complemental key means disposed on opposed surfaces of said one and said second corner fittings, keeper means defining a spherical surface associated with said second corner fitting, nut means including washer means having a spherical surface complemental with said spherical surface of said keeper means for engagement with said nut means, threaded rod means including a threaded end portion and including retainer means for coupling said spherical washer means and said nut means for independent turning movement relative to each other, resilient means for normally maintaining said rod means within said track when said containers are uncoupled, said resilient means permitting said rod to be moved out of said track when said containers are to be coupled together, said nut means and said spherical washer means defining a bore encircling said threaded end portion when said threaded end portion and said nut are in threaded engagement, said nut means completely encircling said threaded end when said threaded rod is in locking engagement with said keeper, means mounting said threaded rod means for universal pivotal movement to said one corner fitting, said rod means being pivotally movable into engagement with said keeper means, and said nut means associated with said rod means and cooperable with said keeper means for drawing said one and said second corner fittings of said adjacently arranged containers together so that said complemental key means are in mating engagement with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
285 words
Coupling apparatus for fixturing the corners of a pair of adjacently arranged containers and locking the same in place relative to one another, comprising in combination one corner fitting including track means mounted in one of said containers and a second corner fitting mounted in said other adjacently arranged container, complemental key means disposed on opposed surfaces of said one and said second corner fittings, keeper means defining a spherical surface associated with said second corner fitting, nut means including washer means having a spherical surface complemental with said spherical surface of said keeper means for engagement with said nut means, threaded rod means including a threaded end portion and including retainer means for coupling said spherical washer means and said nut means for independent turning movement relative to each other, resilient means for normally maintaining said rod means within said track when said containers are uncoupled, said resilient means permitting said rod to be moved out of said track when said containers are to be coupled together, said nut means and said spherical washer means defining a bore encircling said threaded end portion when said threaded end portion and said nut are in threaded engagement, said nut means completely encircling said threaded end when said threaded rod is in locking engagement with said keeper, means mounting said threaded rod means for universal pivotal movement to said one corner fitting, said rod means being pivotally movable into engagement with said keeper means, and said nut means associated with said rod means and cooperable with said keeper means for drawing said one and said second corner fittings of said adjacently arranged containers together so that said complemental key means are in mating engagement with one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |