AUTOMATIC LOCKING MECHANISM, LOCKING SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING THE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic locking mechanism, locking system and a method for operating the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprises a housing, an elongated shaft element and a top part for interconnection with a part of an equipment module or cargo container, wherein the shaft element and top part are longitudinal displaceable within said housing.

Claims

1. An automatic locking mechanism for the interconnection of an equipment module or cargo container to a mounting surface, said locking mechanism comprising a housing, an elongated shaft element and a top part for interconnection with a part of said equipment module or cargo container, wherein said shaft element and top part are longitudinal displaceable within said housing.

2. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said shaft element and at least part of said top part are arranged rotatable in relation to an axis substantial parallel with said direction of longitudinal displacement.

3. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said top part comprises a rotatable top element, such as a cone-shaped top element, for interconnection with said part of said equipment module or cargo container, such as an ISO container corner, of said equipment module or cargo container, by said rotation.

4. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said top part comprises a collar part, extending between said top element and said elongated shaft element, said collar part being arranged for engagement with an opening in said part of said equipment module or cargo container in a non-rotationally manner.

5. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said elongated shaft element being rotatable in relation to said collar.

6. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism comprises drive means for displacing said elongated shaft in said longitudinal direction.

7. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism comprises forcing means for creating said rotation.

8. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism comprises locking means for locking said elongated shaft and/or said top element against longitudinal displacement and/or rotation in relation to said housing.

9. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a releasable locking mechanism, such as a ball lock, in an interface between said abutment element and said elongated shaft element, for indexing sad collar and said abutment element during engagement with said opening in said part of said equipment module or cargo container.

10. The automatic locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said top part comprises an abutment element having an abutment surface for facing said part of said equipment module or cargo container.

11. A locking system, comprising at least one locking mechanism according to claim 1, and a mounting surface element having an upper surface for facing said equipment module or cargo container, and adapted for connection with said mounting surface, said housing being connected to said mounting surface element.

12. The locking system according to claim 11, wherein the mounting surface element has a downwards tapered circumferential side edge.

13. The locking system according to claim 11, wherein said top part being longitudinally displaceable between two positions, a first retracted position where said top element is arranged substantial non-projecting from said upper surface of said mounting element and a second projecting position in which said top element projects from said upper surface.

14. A method for operating a locking mechanism according to claim 1, comprising: providing said locking mechanism in a mounting surface, said locking mechanism being arranged in a substantially non-projecting position in relation to said mounting surface, arranging an equipment module or container at a specific location on said mounting surface, said equipment module or container comprising a part for interconnection with said locking mechanism, displacing said elongated shaft element and said top part in a direction towards said equipment module or container, such that at least part of said top part projects into said part of said equipment module or container.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said locking mechanism being longitudinally displaceable, such that said abutment element extends above said mounting surface, for lifting said equipment module or container a distance above said mounting surface.

16. A method for operating a locking system according to claim 11: providing said locking mechanism in a mounting surface, said locking mechanism being arranged in a substantially non-projecting position in relation to said mounting surface, arranging an equipment module or container at a specific location on said mounting surface, said equipment module or container comprising a part for interconnection with said locking mechanism, displacing said elongated shaft element and said top part in a direction towards said equipment module or container, such that at least part of said top part projects into said part of said equipment module or container.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism being longitudinally displaceable, such that said abutment element extends above said mounting surface, for lifting said equipment module or container a distance above said mounting surface.

Description

[0071] According to a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism being longitudinal displaceable, such that the abutment element extends above the mounting surface, for lifting the equipment module or container a distance above the mounting surface.

[0072] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic locking mechanism, without housing, in a retracted position.

[0073] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic locking mechanism, without housing, in an extended position.

[0074] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the locking system in a retracted position, and part of a module container.

[0075] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in a retracted position, and part of a module container.

[0076] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the locking system in a retracted position, and part of a module container arranged on the locking system.

[0077] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in a retracted position, and part of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism.

[0078] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the locking system in an extended position, and part of a module container arranged on the locking system.

[0079] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in an extended position, and part of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism.

[0080] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the locking system in an extended position, and part of a module container arranged on the locking system being interlocked.

[0081] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in an extended position, and part of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism being interlocked.

[0082] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the locking system in an extended and locked position, and part of a module container arranged on the locking system.

[0083] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in an extended and locked position, and part of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism.

[0084] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the locking system in a further extended and locked position, and part of a module container arranged being lifted in relation to the locking system.

[0085] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in a further extended and locked position, and part of a module container being lifted by the locking mechanism.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a locking system comprising two locking mechanisms.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a locking system comprising four locking mechanisms.

[0088] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a locking mechanism, without a housing.

[0089] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will thus not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

[0090] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic locking mechanism 10, without the housing 12, in a retracted position. The locking mechanism 10 comprises a housing 12 (not shown) where only the housing bottom 12 is shown. The locking mechanism 10 comprises an elongated shaft element 14 and a top part 16 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a conical-shaped top element 18, a collar 22 and an abutment element 38 having an upper abutment surface 40, suitable for abutting the underside of a part 36 of the module/container. The conical-shaped top element 18 and the collar 22 are illustrated with an elongated form, such that the top element 18 and the collar 22 can protrude into a corresponding opening 36 in the part of the module/container such as a ISO container corner. The part 36 of the module/container may be arranged differently from such ISO container corner.

[0091] The locking mechanism 10 comprises drive means 24, of which only a small part is shown. The drive means 24 may be any suitable means for displacing the longitudinal shaft element 14 and the top part 16 in a longitudinal direction in relation to the housing 12, such as hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic or mechanical means and may preferably by arranged as a driven piston, such as a hydraulic piston.

[0092] The locking mechanism 10 further comprises forcing means 26, 26, shown as a rack and pinion mechanism, which is arranged to rotate the elongated shaft element 14 around an axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the shaft element 14. The top element 14 is in the shown embodiment interconnected with the elongated shaft element 14 via a top element shaft 20 (see FIG. 11) which extends rotatably through the collar 22 and the abutment element 38, such that rotation of the elongated shaft element 14 causes a rotation of the top element 18.

[0093] In the shown embodiment, the elongated shaft element 14 is oval-shaped in the longitudinal direction, which oval-shape corresponds to an opening through the forcing means 26 shown as a pinion, such that activation of the forcing means 26 by the forcing means 26, shown as a rack, the rotational movement of the rack in transferred to the elongated shaft element 14. The forcing means 26, 26 are preferably supported in the housing 12 (not shown). The oval-shape of the elongated shaft element may comprise two substantially parallel sides and the opposed rounded sides.

[0094] The locking mechanism 10 further comprises locking means 28, illustrated as two pins arranged in the housing 12 (not shown) with an intermediate distance corresponding approximately to the diameter of the elongated shaft element 14 at the narrowest part.

[0095] The shape of the elongated shaft element 14 and the locking means may be arranged differently, as long as the locking means 28 allows the elongated shaft element 14 to be displaced in relation to the locking means 28.

[0096] During the longitudinal displacement of the elongated shaft element 14, the shaft element 14 displaces in in relation to the locking means 28 which, when the locking mechanism is in an extended position, aligns with a shaft recess 30 at a specific location on the elongated shaft element. Hereby the shaft element 14 is able to rotate 360 degrees as the largest diameter of the recess part is smaller than the distance between the pins.

[0097] The cone-shaped top element comprises an opening, such that the top part may be used as a connection point for a lift or crane, for lifting the locking mechanism in relation to the mounting surface.

[0098] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic locking mechanism 10, without the housing 12, in an extended position.

[0099] The locking mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the locking mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 1. The figure shows the movements of the locking mechanism 10 from a retracted to an extended position, in which the top element 18 projects into the part of the module/container (not shown) and interlocks therewith.

[0100] First, the drive means 24 acts upon the elongated shaft element 14 for displacing the elongated shaft element 14 and top part 16 in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by the vertical arrow. After the drive means has displaced the elongated shaft element 14, the top element 18 projects into the part 36 of the module/container.

[0101] Second, once the top element 18 has projected into the part 36 of the module/container, the forcing means 26, 26, are driven, e.g. by a hydraulic force, causing a rotational movement of the elongated shaft element 14 and the therewith interconnected top part 18, which hereby interlocks with the part 36 of the module/container. The oval-shaped collar 22, which is connected to the abutment element 38, projects into a corresponding opening 36 (see FIG. 3A, 3B) of the part 36 of the module/container and is hereby prevented from rotating together with the elongated shaft element 14.

[0102] Between the circumferential side of the abutment element 38 and an inner side of the housing 12 (not shown), the locking mechanism 10 comprises suitable sealing means, such as O-rings, to prevent dirt, water and/or moisture to enter the locking mechanism.

[0103] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in a retracted position, and the part 36 of a module container, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view if the locking mechanism in a retracted position, and the part 36 of a module container.

[0104] FIG. 3B shows a different embodiment of the locking mechanism, compared to the one in FIGS. 1-2, but FIG. 3A is representative for both embodiments.

[0105] In FIG. 3B, the drive means 24 comprises a rack and pinion mechanism acting on a lower threaded part of the elongated shaft element, instead of a movable piston.

[0106] The rack is rotatably fixed to the housing 12 and may be rotated by a displacement of the rack, which causes the threaded part of the elongated shaft element 14 to displace in a longitudinal direction. The forcing means 26, 26 shown in FIG. 4B functions similarly to the forcing means 26, 26 of FIG. 1-2 but may comprise a locking mechanism 28, arranged as a displaceable locking pin, which projects through part of the forcing means 26 and into an opening in the elongated shaft element. Hereby, the elongated shaft element is prevented from rotating. The locking means 28 may be driven by any suitable force, such as hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic or mechanical means.

[0107] FIG. 3A shows the locking system 10 comprising a locking mechanism 10 as shown in FIG. 1-2 or 3, and a mounting surface element 34, which is arranged to be mounted into a mounting surface, such as the deck of a ship, a truck or freight train etc.

[0108] The embodiment in FIGS. 3A and 3B corresponds to each other, only without the housing 12 and mounting surface element shown in FIG. 3B. In the shown situation, the locking mechanism 10 is in a retracted position, where the top element 18 does not project above the mounting surface element. In an alternative embodiment, the top element 18 and the collar may project above the mounting surface element during the lowering of an equipment module, shown only by the illustration of the part 36 of the module/container.

[0109] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in a retracted position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged on the locking system 10, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 in a retracted position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism 10.

[0110] The embodiment in FIGS. 4A and 4B corresponds to each other, only without the housing 12 and mounting surface element shown in FIG. 4B. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, only a bottom of the part 36 of the module/container is shown for illustrative purpose. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the equipment module, indicated only by the part 36, is lowered onto the mounting surface element 34.

[0111] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in an extended position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged on the locking system 10, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 in an extended position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism 10.

[0112] The embodiment in FIGS. 5A and 5B corresponds to each other, only without the housing 12 and mounting surface element shown in FIG. 5B. In the shown situation, the drive means 24 displaces the elongated shaft element 14 and the top part 16, including the top element 18 in a longitudinal direction, into an extended position, where the top element 18 projects through the opening 26 of the part 36 of the module/container. The collar 22 also projects through the opening 36, and the abutment surface 40 of the abutment element 38 abuts/supports the underside of the part 36 of the module/container.

[0113] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in an extended position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged on the locking system 10 being interlocked, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 in an extended position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism 10 being interlocked.

[0114] The embodiment in FIGS. 6A and 6B corresponds to each other, only without the housing 12 and mounting surface element shown in FIG. 6B.

[0115] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the forcing means being actuated, hereby causing a rotation of the elongated shaft element 14 and the top element 18, which hereby interlocks with the part 36 of the module/container.

[0116] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in an extended and locked position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged on the locking system 10, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 in an extended and locked position, and the part 36 of a module container arranged proximate the locking mechanism 10.

[0117] The embodiment in FIGS. 7A and 7B corresponds to each other, only without the housing 12 and mounting surface element shown in FIG. 7B. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the locking mechanism has interlocked with the module/container, and the locking means 28 are actuated, whereby the elongated shaft element 14 and the top element 18 are prevented from rotating out of engagement with the container.

[0118] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the locking system 10 in a further extended and locked position, and the part 36 of a module container being arranged lifted in relation to the locking system 10, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 in a further extended and locked position, and the part 36 of a module container being lifted by the locking mechanism 10.

[0119] As described earlier in the application, when loading or unloading modules/container onto the mounting surface with lifting equipment, such as a lift or crane, the lifting equipment may need to be withdrawn from underneath the module container.

[0120] In FIGS. 8A and 8B, is shown a situation where the module/container needs to be unloaded with lifting means which needs to support the lower surface of the module/container.

[0121] The elongated shaft element 14 and the top part 16 is displaced in the longitudinal direction, whereby the lifting surface 40 of the abutment element 38, functions as a lift, whereby the module/container is being lifted a predetermined distance above the mounting surface, such that the lifting equipment can extend underneath the module/for lifting.

[0122] Before lifting, the locking means 28 are retracted and the forcing means 26, 26 are actuated, whereby the top element 18 rotates out of engagement with the part 36 of the module/container. Hereafter, the module may be lifted from the locking system 10.

[0123] The same procedure in reverse applies when the module/container is to be loaded onto the mounting surface.

[0124] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a locking system 10 comprising two locking mechanisms 10, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a locking system 10 comprising four locking mechanisms 10.

[0125] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a locking mechanism, without a housing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0126] 10 Automatic locking mechanism [0127] 10 Locking system [0128] 12 Housing [0129] 12 Housing bottom [0130] 14 Elongated shaft element [0131] 16 Top part [0132] 18 Top element [0133] 20 Top element shaft [0134] 22 Collar [0135] 24, 24, 24 Drive means [0136] 26, 26 Forcing means [0137] 28, 28 Locking means [0138] 30 Shaft recess [0139] 32 Releasable locking mechanism [0140] 34 Mounting surface element [0141] 36 Module/container part [0142] 36 Module part opening [0143] 38 Abutment element [0144] 40 Abutment surface