Container comprising an electrically driven interlocking mechanism

• US 7,000,765 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lepus Vermogensverwaltung GmbH
• Original Assignee: Lepus Vermogensverwaltung GmbH
• Inventors: Hase, Stephan, Cönen, Götz
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Jerrold
• Application Number:
  US10/505,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20050103647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 206/503, 206/504, 206/509, 242/87, 220/1.5, 220/4.27, 220/23.4, 220/23.6, 220/23.83, 294/68.1, 294/68.3, 294/81.53, 340/686.1, 340/686.2, 340/686.3, 280/8, 280/9, 410/78, 410/80
• US Class Current: 206/503
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0013 Twist lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/28 Freight container to freight container fastener

Abstract

A container having corner regions with hollow bodies is provided. Locking devices are provided that are received in the corner regions. Electrically driven, rotatable and displaceable locking mechanisms are respectively disposed in corners of the container. For a lower region of each locking mechanism, a locking member is provided that is adapted to engage in corresponding hollow bodies, disposed on upper corner regions of a comparable container disposed there below and adapted to receive locking devices, for interlocking the containers, sensors and signal emitters are disposed in the container for indicating a respective position of one of the locking mechanisms in a corner of the container.

Claims

1. A container having corner regions with hollow bodies, comprising:

locking devices adapted to be received in said corner regions;

corners;

electrically driven, rotatable and displaceable locking mechanisms respectively disposed in said corners;

for a lower region of each locking mechanism, a locking member that is adapted to engage in corresponding hollow bodies, disposed in upper corner regions of a comparable container disposed there below and adapted to receive locking devices, for interlocking said containers; and

sensors and signal emitters for indicating a respective position of one of said locking mechanisms in a corner of said container.

2. A container according to claim 1, which is furthermore provided with a frame structure, at least one part of which is provided with at least one opening that is adapted to be closed in a water tight and dust tight manner.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism is disposed in a housing that is adapted to be removed from a corner in a modular manner.

4. A container according to claim 2, wherein said hollow bodies are detachably connected with adjacent frame parts.

5. A container according to claim 1, which is further provided with means for receiving electrical energy and conveying it on.

6. A container according to claim 1, which further comprises a control unit that not only regulates an application of power to said container but also a control of power to a next container, wherein said control unit receives, procesess and conveys signals from said sensors.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said control unit is adapted to store and convey on data relating to said container and its load.

8. A container according to claim 1, which includes an electric drive that is provided with a piston, in a wall of which is disposed an elongated recess that has the approximate appearance of a V that has been rotated by 90°

, and wherein a bolt, that is disposed on a locking bar of said locking mechanism, engages in said recess.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein said piston is provided with an engagement nose at a lower end thereof.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein said locking bar is provided with engagement grooves in which said engagement nose of said piston is adapted to engage.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein means for receiving and conveying on power, electronic information and other resources that may be required are provided in the region of said hollow bodies for receiving said locking devices.