Coupling Device and Method for Enabling Simultaneous Lifting of Two Containers

Abstract

A coupling device and method for enabling simultaneous lifting of two containers ( 27,29 ) interconnected with a coupling device ( 1 ), wherein said coupling device ( 1 ) comprises two engaging portions ( 2,3 ) each adapted to be at least partially inserted into a corner fitting of a respective container. The coupling device ( 1 ) is provided with an automatic condition, in which automatic condition said engaging portions ( 2,3 ) are adapted to engage said corner fitting ( 26,28 ) for holding said coupling device ( 1 ) in said corner fitting ( 26,28 ) and wherein said coupling device ( 1 ) further is adapted to upon a prescribed relative movement between said containers ( 26,28 ) allow removing of at least one of said engaging portions ( 2,3 ) from its respective corner fitting. The method comprises; interconnecting said containers ( 27,29 ) by means of said coupling device, and activating a means adapted for alternating said coupling device ( 1 ) between said automatic condition and a locked condition, in which locked condition said containers will remain interconnected.

1 . A method for enabling simultaneous lifting of two containers interconnected with a coupling device, wherein said coupling device comprises two engaging portions each adapted to be at least partially inserted into a corner fitting of a respective container, wherein said coupling device is provided with an automatic condition, in which automatic condition said engaging portions are adapted to engage said corner fitting for holding said coupling device in said corner fitting and wherein said coupling device further is adapted to upon a prescribed relative movement between said containers allow removing of at least one of said engaging portions from its respective corner fitting, said method comprising:
 interconnecting said containers by means of said coupling device   activating a means adapted for alternating said coupling device between said automatic condition and a locked condition, in which locked condition said containers will remain interconnected.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said activating of said means adapted for alternating said condition of said coupling device is executed when said second engaging portion has been inserted into said second corner fitting. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling device further comprises maneuvering means, and wherein said method further comprises manual maneuvering for alternation of condition between said automatic condition and said locked condition of said coupling device. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second engaging portions of said coupling device is rotating during removal of said engaging portion from said corner fitting. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said maneuvering of at least one of said first and second engaging portions to a locked condition from an automatic condition comprises rotating said engaging portion in the opposite direction from that which said engaging portion is subject to during removal of said engaging portion from said corner fitting. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said rotation of said engaging portion in said direction opposite that direction in which said engaging portion is rotating during removal of said engaging portion from said corner fitting positions said engaging portion such that rotation is prevented in the removing direction when an external force is exerted upon said engaging portion. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling device is arranged with an orientation means, wherein said method further comprises orientation of said coupling device in a corner fitting for obtaining the desired condition automatic or locked. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said activating of said means adapted for alternating said condition between automatic and locked of said coupling device is executed when said first engaging portion of said coupling device is inserted into said first corner fitting. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising arranging said two containers vertically in relation to each other, such that said coupling device is engaged into a lower corner fitting of an upper container and an upper corner fitting of a lower container. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising lifting of a top container by means of a crane, wherein at least one interconnected lower container is lifted due to said interconnection between said upper and lower containers. 
   
   
       11 . A coupling device comprising at least a first and a second engaging portion, wherein said first and second engaging portions are adapted to be inserted into respective first and second corner fittings provided on a first and a second container, respectively, wherein said coupling device has an automatic condition, wherein in said automatic condition at least one of said first and second engaging portions is arranged to engage a corner fitting for holding said coupling device in said corner fitting and wherein at least one of said engaging portions upon a prescribed relative movement between said containers being removable from its corner fitting, wherein means is provided for alternation of condition of said coupling device between said automatic condition and a locked condition, wherein at least one of said engaging portions of said coupling device will remain engaged with said corner fitting when arranged in said locked condition. 
   
   
       12 . A coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said first and second engaging portions is arranged for rotation during removal from a corner fitting, wherein said means for arranging said coupling device in a locked condition is arranged to prevent said rotational movement of at least one of said first and second engaging portions. 
   
   
       13 . A coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein said coupling device comprises a housing, wherein said second engaging portion is rotably mounted in relation to said housing by means of a shaft portion extending into the housing, wherein said second engaging portion has a guide part for guiding the engaging portion with said corner fitting, wherein said guide part having a translation guide path for guiding the engaging portion in relation to said corner fitting in a horizontal direction, which translation guide path is rotational asymmetric in relation to an axis of said shaft portion, and wherein said guide part having a rotational guide path for rotation of the engaging portion. 
   
   
       14 . A coupling device according to  claim 13 , wherein maneuvering means are provided for alternating said coupling device between said locked condition, in which said rotational movement of said second engaging portion is prevented and said automatic condition, in which said rotational movement of said second engaging portion is allowed. 
   
   
       15 . A coupling device according to  claim 14 , wherein said maneuvering means is arranged to rotate said second engaging portion such that at least one substantially horizontal surface of said second engaging portion is directed towards an inner surface surrounding an engagement opening of said corner fitting, for achieving said locked condition. 
   
   
       16 . A coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein said coupling device comprises a locking device, wherein said locking device being fixed arranged in relation to said coupling device, and a engagement means, wherein said engagement means is rotatably arranged in relation to said locking device, wherein said alteration of condition between automatic and locked condition of said coupling device is obtained when said maneuvering means prevents the rotation of said engagement means. 
   
   
       17 . A coupling device according to  claim 16 , wherein said engagement means is arranged in relation to an upper portion of an axle arranged in relation to at least one of said first and second engaging portions for rotation therewith, wherein the relative angular position of said engagement means and said axle portion is variable, wherein said engagement means is arranged to engage said locking device depending on the angular position of said engagement means in relation to said axle portion. 
   
   
       18 . A coupling device according to  claim 16 , wherein said maneuvering means affects the angular position of said engagement means in relation to said axle portion by limiting the rotation of said engagement means. 
   
   
       19 . A coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein said coupling device is provided with orientation means, wherein said orientation means may activate said prevention of said rotation of said second engaging portion depending on the orientation of said coupling device in a corner fitting.