GB2190699A - Locking aircraft transport containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for transportation of cargoes in aircraft comprises an enclosure (1) and locks (4 and 5) to rigidly secure a cover (3) thereon. Each lock (4 or 5) comprises co-axial guides (7, 8 or 7, 9) provided on the cover (3) and the enclosure (1), and a slidable pin (10 or 11) fitted therein. Arms (31, 32 and 33) of a crank lever (30) are adapted for contact with shaped surfaces (25, 26 or 27, 28) provided on the ends of each pin (10 or 11) facing one another such that when the locks are operated in sequence: lock 5 followed by lock 4, the lever 30 is moved by pin 10 so that arm 32 blocks return movement of pin 11 until pin 10 has been retracted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containerfortransportation of cargoes in aircraft The invention relates to aviation, and more particularly, to containers for transportation of cargoes in aircraft.

The present invention may be used for container shipment of various different-size industrial cargoes, passengers' and tourists' luggage and mail in aircraft.

The essence ofthe invention is a container for transportation of cargoes in aircraft, comprising an enclosure with a cover and locks for rigidly securing the cover on the enclosure, each lock comprising guides provided on the cover and the enclosure, and a pin reciprocable therein. According to the invention, the guides of the locks are arranged co-axially on the enclosure and on the opposite sides of the cover. Also, there is a crank lever having arms adapted for contact with shaped surfaces on the ends of each pin facing one another, when the crank lever is turned to a limited extent by displacement of the pin of one of the locks.

Such design features have made it possible to provideasinglesystem of lockswhich, in operation, interact with one another.

This has also allowed a loaded container to be sealed with one seal, which is in full conformity with the requirements ofthe International Standards Organisation (ISO), thereby facilitating container operation.

However, the reliability of container cover closing is enhanced due to the fact that with the locks closed it is impossible to open an unsealed lock, as this would necessitate the translation of the associated pin, which is prevented buy a crank lever arm.

The invention is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa general view of a container for transportation of cargoes in an aircraft, according to the invention; Figure2 is an enlarged section on line Il-Il in Figure 1; Figure3is an enlarged section on Ill-Ill in Figure 2, with the locks open; and Figure4is an enlarged section on line IV-IV in Figure 2, with the locks closed.

Referring now to the drawings, a container for transportation of cargoes in an aircraft comprises an enclosure 1 (Figure 1), with a cargo hatch 2 in it's middle upper part.

For closing the hatch 2, a folding cover 3 is hingedly secured on the upper part of the enclosure 1. To fasten the cover 3, the enclosure 1 carries locks 4 (Figure 2) and 5 (Figures 3 and 4), and a corner piece 6 (Figure 1).

The lock4(Figures3 and 4) comprises guides7 and 8 and a pin 10 free to reciprocate therein . The lock5similarlycomprises guides 7 and 9 and a pin 11 free to reciprocate therein. The pin 10 has a space 12, whereas the pin 11 has a space 13. The guide7 is attached to the cover 3, whereas the guides 8 and 9 are secured on the enclosure 1 on the opposite sides ofthecover3co-axiallywith one another and with the guide 7.

A pivoted axle 15 is fitted in a bushing 1 4secured on the cover 3 close to the lock 4, and a pivoted axle 17 is installed in a bushing 16 fastened close to the lock 5. A handle 18 (Figure 1) is rigidly fastened on the axle 15 (Figures 3,4), and a handle 19 (Figure 1) is rigidly secured on the axle 17 (Figures 3,4). The handles 18 (Figure 1) and 19 are intended for opening and closing the locks 4 (Figures 3,4) and 5 respectively. Also pivoted levers 20 and 21 are mounted on the axles 15 and 17 and can beturnedto a limited extent. The pivoted levers have cylindrical heads 22 and 23 located in the space 12 ofthe pin 10 and in the space 13 of the pin 11 respectively.

Ashaped end 24ofthe pin 11 facing the pin 10 has bearing surfaces 25 and 26, and a shaped end ofthe pin 10 facing the pin 11 has bearing surfaces 27 and 28.

A crank lever 30 is hingedly mounted on the cover 3 by means of an axle 29 and can turn to a limited extent during the displacement of one ofthe pins 10 or 11. The crank lever has arms 31,32 and 33 adapted for contact with the su rfaces 25 and 26 ofthe pin 11 and the surfaces 27 and 28 ofthe pin 10.

To limitturning ofthe crank lever 30, a stop 34 is rigidly secured close to the latter on the cover. For limiting the turn ofthe lever 20, a stop 35 is rigidly fastened close to it on the cover. Turning ofthe lever 21 is limited by stops 36 and 37 rigidly attached to the opposite sides ofthe cover close to that lever.

The given example describes a container using a double-lock system. When the dimensions ofthe container cargo hatch 2 are considerable the system may include four, six and more locks.

A containerfortransportation of cargoes operates as follows.

Acargo is loaded intothecontainerenclosure 1 through the hatch 2, after which the latter is closed with the cover 3 by fitting a free end thereof under the angle pieces 6 and closing the locks 4 and 5.

To close the locks, the handle 19 ofthe lock 5 should first be turned. This done, the pivoted lever 21 turns so that it's head 23 displaces the pin 11 along the guide7to drive it's end 24 into the guide 9, the displacement being limited by the stop 37. From the position shown in Figure 3, the shaped end 24 of the pin 11 shifts to the position illustrated in Figure 4.

The handle 18 ofthe lock4should now be turned for the pivoted lever 20 to turn so that it's head 22 displaces the pin 10 along the guide 7 until it's end enters the guide 8, the displacement in this case being limited bythe stop 35.

Displacement ofthe pin 10 causes it's bearing surface 27 to contact the arm 31 of the crank lever30, turning the latter on the axle 29 until it's arms 31 and 32 thrust againstthe bearing surface 28ofthe pin 10 and the surface 26 ofthe pin 11 respectively. The container is thus closed and it's coverfastened by means ofthe locks 4 and 5.

The cover3 of the closed container is subject two sealing. In compliance with the ISO requirements, the system of locks in a container must ensure it's sealing with one seal. In the disclosed container, this seal is fitted on the handle 18 of the lock4 and the cover 3.

It is impossible to open the locks 4 and without removing the seal, as the lock 5 cannot be opened with the lock4 closed due to the factthatthe crank lever 30 prevents the displacementofthe end 24of the pin 11 by th rusting it's arm 32 againstthe bearing surface 26 of the pin 11.

The locks are opened in the reverse sequence. As the lock4 opens, the pin 10 shifts along the guide 7, meeting the stop 33 ofthe crank lever 30 and turning it until it thrust againstthe stop 34. In the event of opening the lock the stop 36 limits turning ofthe lever21.

ltfollowsfrom the above description thatthe functioning of the locks 4 and 5 presents a single system, consisting specifically in the sealing of one container with one seal, which corresponds to the ISO requirements, increases the reliability of closing of the containercover3, and facilitates operation of the container.

When a greater number of locks is provided on the cover, they work in a similar manner, all the closed locks being sealed with one seal.

Claims (2)

1. Acontainerfortransportation ofcargoesinan aircraft, comprising an enclosure with a cover and locks to rigidly secure the cover on the enclosure, each lock comprising guides provided on the cover and the enclosure, and a pin reciprocabletherein, the guides of the locks being arranged co-axially on the enclosure and on the opposite sides ofthe cover, and a crank lever having arms adapted for contact with shaped surfaces on the ends of each pin facing one another, when the crank lever is turned to a limited extent by displacement of the pin of one ofthe locks.

2. A containerfortransportation of cargoes in an aircraft, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.