Air freight container

Abstract

Cargo container for the transportation of goods, in particular an air freight container ( 1 ) being adapted for use on air crafts, including frame structure with a top, bottom and sides with one or more openings for loading and unloading. Each opening is provided with a closing and load supporting closure in the form of an articulated door, or a fabric material ( 2 ) preferably with cables ( 3 ) or reinforcing members, the closure in turn, at its outer (lower) end being provided with a device for tensioning and locking the closure, including an elongate member ( 4 ). The tensioning and locking device includes a drive mechanism ( 9 ) for linear movement of at least two tensioning and locking studs ( 13 ) provided at each end of the elongate member ( 4 ), each stud ( 4 ) having an inclined party ( 15 ) and fitting into counter tensioning and locking elements ( 18, 20 ) provided on the corner post ( 12 ) of the container opening. The drive mechanism is operated by a handle ( 17 ) whereby the studs ( 13 ) are moved in the axial, outward direction of the elongate member ( 4 ) such that by interaction of the inclined parties ( 15 ) of the studs against the counter tensioning and locking elements ( 18, 20 ) the elongate member ( 4 ) is moved downwards and the closure is pulled tout and locked.

1 . Cargo container for the transportation of goods, in particular an air freight container ( 1 ) being adapted for use on air crafts, including a frame structure with a top, bottom and sides with one or more openings for loading and unloading, each opening being provided with a closing and load supporting closure in the form of an articulated door, or a fabric material ( 2 ) preferably with cables ( 3 ) or reinforcing members, the closure in turn, at its outer (lower) end being provided with a device for tensioning and locking the closure, including an elongate member ( 4 ),  
       characterized in that the tensioning and locking device includes a drive mechanism ( 9 ) for linear movement of at least two tensioning and locking studs ( 13 ) provided at each end of the elongate member ( 4 ), each stud ( 4 ) having an inclined party ( 15 ) and fitting into counter tensioning and locking elements ( 18 ,  20 ) provided on the corner post ( 12 ) of the container opening, and that the drive mechanism is operated by a handle ( 17 ) whereby the studs ( 13 ) are moved in the axial, outward direction of the elongate member ( 4 ) such that by interaction of the inclined parties ( 15 ) of the studs against the counter tensioning and locking elements ( 18 ,  20 ) the elongate member ( 4 ) is moved downwards and the closure ( 2 ) is pulled tout and locked.  
     
     
         2 . Cargo container according to  claim 1 ,  
       characterized in that the elongate member ( 4 ) is hollow and that the drive mechanism ( 9 ) and studs ( 13 ) are provided in the hollow space of the member ( 4 ).  
     
     
         3 . Cargo container according to claims  1  and  2 ,  
       characterized in that the studs are realisably connected to outer ends of elongate rods ( 8 ) which in turn are realisably connected to the drive mechanism ( 9 ) provided at the centre of the elongate bar ( 4 ).  
     
     
         4 . Cargo container according to claims  1 - 3 ,  
       characterized in that the drive mechanism ( 9 ) is in the form of a double sided gear rod(?) drive mechanism operated by a single handle.  
     
     
         5 . Cargo container according to the preceding claims  1 - 5 ,  
       characterized in that the counter tensioning and locking elements include a profile ( 18 ) with an opening or recess ( 19 ) into which the respective stud ( 13 ) on each side fits in, to hold the closure with the elongate bar ( 4 ) intermediately before the tensioning and locking takes place.  
     
     
         6 . Cargo container according to claims  1 - 5 ,  
       characterized in that the profile is provided with a roller ( 20 ) onto which the inclined party ( 15 ) of the studs ( 13 ) are designed to interact under the tensioning and locking operation.  
     
     
         7 . Cargo container according to the previous claims  1 - 6 ,  
       characterized in that the inclined party ( 15 ) of the studs ( 13 ) is rounded.