| 摘要 |
PCT No. PCT/JP89/00096 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 15, 1989 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 15, 1989 PCT Filed Jan. 30, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO89/07079 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 10, 1989.A container coupling device is disclosed for coupling upper and lower containers together in a simple and reliable manner to allow for reliable transport of stacked containers. The container coupling device includes a rotation restriction mechanism provided between a lower insertion shank and a lower engaging body. The lower engaging body is formed on upper and lower sides with tapered surfaces. A rotary shaft has a spring to bias the lower engaging body in a locking direction. The rotation restriction mechanism serves to temporarily prevent the lower engaging body from turning in the locking direction. This rotation restriction action can be released by additional turning torque in the locking direction. Such torque is produced when the upper or lower tapered surfaces engage with an engaging hole in the container. Upon release of the restriction mechanism, the spring will turn the lower engaging body toward the locking position. After the coupling device is engaged in the bottom of a container, the engaging body is lowered into an engaging hole in a lower container. The engaging body automatically turns toward the locking position to couple the containers together. To disconnect the containers, the lever is turned back to where the turn restriction mechanism becomes operative, and the upper container is lifted. When the upper tapered surfaces engage the engaging hole, the lower engaging body will align with the insertion shanks to allow extraction of the coupling device from the engaging hole. |
