Apparatus for securing containers end to end

Claim 1

Means for securing together a pair of freight containers in end-to-end relationship, each container, having end walls defining therein apertures of predetermined size and location adjacent the corners thereof, the securing means comprising a female member having an axial bore within an elongate body portion for location within aligned apertures in the end walls of adacent containers, and the shape of a transverse section of said body portion conforms substantially with that of at least part of the defining walls of said apertures, flange means on said body portion for abutment with the inner face of the end wall of one of said containers to locate the female member axially in an operative position, and a locking portion pivotally mounted on said body portion and including a surface thereon forming an axial continuation of a part of the bore through the body portion, the securing means further comprising a male member having a shaft portion for location within the axial bore of the female member and flange means for abutment with the inner face of the end wall of the other container to locate the male member in an operative position, the shaft portion including a surface thereon the configuration of which, with the male and female members in their operative positions, co-operates with that of the surface of the locking portion of the female member to prevent relative movement between the male and female members and thereby to secure the containers together.