Background of the invention

The object of the invention is a rotation prevention means of a lashing device as defined in the preamble of claim 1, which rotation prevention means is used more particularly for locking rotation in a lashing device, such as a turnbuckle screw, for containers on cargo ships.

Some different solutions for rotation prevention means of lashing devices used for lashing containers to be carried by ships, and more precisely on cargo ships, are known in the art. One solution for rotation prevention means of a lashing device for containers is known from the publication US2008/0213060 (Bohman). The publication presents a lashing device, wherein grooving is formed in a stud bolt that is in the lashing device, against which grooving a coupling means connected to the stud bolt is pressed for preventing unintentional rotation with some prestressed part, such as a pin, a ball or some other corresponding part. The solution according to the publication also presents a solution wherein a prestressed part is fitted onto the stud bolt, and grooving is correspondingly made in the coupling part.

The rotation prevention means used in lashing devices in solutions according to prior art have some drawbacks. The solutions according to prior art require for rotation the same force that is required to change the direction of rotation, and this is very undesirable because rotation in either desired direction should require a smaller force than that needed to change the direction of rotation. In addition, prior-art solutions are awkward to service or replace.

The purpose of this invention is to achieve a new type of solution for a rotation prevention means used in a lashing device, with which it is possible to avoid the problems occurring in prior-art solutions. Brief description of the invention

The solution according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of the independent claim 1. Additionally, the solution according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the dependent claims 2-9.

The solution according to the invention now being presented has some significant advantages when it is compared to solutions that are known and used.

With the solution now presented a rotation prevention solution of a lashing device is achieved, which, on the one hand, effectively and reliably prevents unintentional rotation of the coupling part of a lashing device, but which is at the same time light to rotate in either direction when e.g. loosening or tightening the lashing device when checking containers.

Another advantage of the arrangement is that it is durable, operationally reliable, service-free and the use of it does not require tools.

Brief description of the figures In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid some embodiments with reference to the drawings l-2d, wherein,

Figs. l-2d present the operation of the rotation prevention means that is in the lashing device.

Detailed description of the invention

The rotation prevention means 2 of a lashing device 1 according to the invention that is presented by Figs. 1 and 2a, which lashing device is used particularly for lashing containers to be carried on ships, such as cargo ships, comprises an elongated first coupling part 3, such as a stud bolt, which can be detachably connected with a coupling end 6 to a desired base, such as to the ship or to the deck of the ship (not shown in the figure), and to the aforementioned first coupling part 3 at least one second rotatable coupling part 4 is further fitted (which can be formed e.g. from two rods connected to each other), for changing the length of the lashing device, and the rotation prevention means 2 is fitted in connection with the first and the second coupling part for preventing unintentional rotation of the second coupling part 4. The rotation prevention means 2 is fitted movably in the longitudinal direction of the coupling parts to the first and the second coupling parts (into a groove 14 of the rotation prevention means), and it comprises at least one prestressing means 8, as presented in Fig. 2a, such as a spring, which presses a grooved or notched part 7, such as a toothed plate or gear wheel, fitted to the first coupling means (to the end 10 of the coupling means), with which grooved or notched part at least one lever-like part 9 in the rotation prevention means is in contact for preventing unintentional rotation of the second coupling part. The rotation prevention means operates such that the force needed to change the direction of rotation of the second coupling part 4 is essentially greater than the force that is needed for rotating the second coupling part in either direction, and this is described in more detail in Figs. 2a-2d.

Fig. 1 also contains the end pieces of the second coupling part 4 that are described with the reference number 15 and 16, and the support part of the stud bolt, which support part is described with the reference number 5, and further the supporting part fitted to the second coupling part 4, which supporting part is described with the reference number 17. Further, the shell fixing screw of the rotation prevention means is marked with the reference number 12, and the support part with the number 13. Fig. 2a presents a cross-section of a rotation prevention means in a situation in which the second coupling part is rotated in the second direction, such that the lever-like part travels (completely or mainly) on top of the teeth 18 of the grooved or notched part 7, such as a gear wheel, in which case the prestressing means is compressed as little as possible, and owing to this the lever-like part 9 exerts in this case only a small force (friction) resisting rotation on the grooved (grooves 11) or notched part 7. Further, in the situation according to Fig. 2b the direction of rotation has been changed, and the prestressing means 8 is substantially compressed. In the situation presented by the figure the force needed to change the direction of rotation is great, because the lever-like part 9 must press the grooved or notched part 7 so much that the lever-like part 9 can turn into the opposite position.

In the situation of Fig. 2c, the second coupling part 4 has been further rotated, and the tip of the lever-like part is still in the groove 11.

In Fig. 2d the rotation has continued until the lever-like part is completely on top of the tooth 18, and rotation is therefore light, i.e. the lever-like part does not produce a large need for extra force for rotation.

In the solution according to the invention the grooved or notched part 7, such as a toothed plate or gear wheel, is fitted at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first coupling part 3, but the grooved or notched part, such as a toothed plate or gear wheel, can be fitted also at some other angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first coupling part.

The rotation prevention means 2 comprises one or more lever-like parts 9, and a lever-like part can be spring-actuated.

The prestressing means 8 can be one or more cup springs or helical springs, or corresponding.

In the solution according to the invention, the grooves or notches 11 in the grooved or notched part are rectangular or rounded, or beveled or of the desired shape, and the grooves or notches are formed on the outer rim of the part and/or in a surface of the part that is at a right angle in relation to the outer rim. The grooves or notches can be e.g. U-shaped or V-shaped, and the grooved or notched part, such as a toothed plate or gear wheel, is preferably fitted to one end of the first coupling part. It is also obvious to the person skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention are not limited solely to the examples described above, and that they may for these reasons be varied within the scope of the claims presented below.

In the rotation prevention means according to the invention, the prestressing means, the lever-like part or the grooved/notched part can be of metal, plastic, rubber, composite material, or e.g. a combination of the preceding.