Field Of Invention:
The invention pertains generally to a Container Locking Device (CLD) for container on the carrier deck; wherein said Container Locking Device, to be used in locking large containers with the flat wagon/chassis or platform, in automatic and mechanical manner; wherein the twisting action towards locking gets activated by placing a minimum pre-defined load upon its twist head and once the said load is lifted vertically, the said twist lock gets unlocked automatically. . The unique integral Profile head with a bottom cylindrical shape steel casting, makes it stronger to hold the container straight and erect.
Said container locking device (CLD) is associated with several advantages, such as: (i) heavy and robust; (ii) easy to assemble; (iii) compact in size; (4) hassel free fitment; and (5) more accurate due to less no. of pin joints
Prior Arts And Object Of The Invention:
In conventional practice of twist locks, closest to the instant container locking device of the instant disclosure, Twist Head' of the twist lock is locked with the shaft with the help of a groove pin. Two external spacers are used to take the thrust load. A conventional twist lock, frequently used in India, is demonstrated in schematic drawing as Figure-3. Conventional structural and functional features of said twist lock are as under:
• A Housing Sleeve is used to guide the shaft for its axial movement on load.

• The Top Housing is bolted with the bottom Housing with 4 no's Spl. Flat head Cap Screw.
• The Spring Element is fitted inside the Bottom Housing and locked with a Pin fitted on the Bottom Housing.
• The Shaft is fitted with the Twist Head along with the Internal Spacer, External Spacer and Housing Sleeve. The Bottom of the Shaft has a fork, which is placed on the Spring Element.
• The Twist Lock is then boxed up with four no. of Spl. Flat Head Cap Screw.
Due to mutual locking of two separately formed components, i.e. Twist head' with the shaft with the help of a Pin, there is every chance of wear and tear in the Pin and Pin hole and said mutual locking is also prone to additional stress, corrosion and weathering. Consequently, the conventional twist locks are not very accurate in their functions and their effective working file is very limited.
There are some literature available relating to certain twist locks in use for locking cargo containers and similar containers, wherein almost all such conventionally used arts includes drawbacks similar to that of Indian conventional twist locks.
US Patent 8007214B2 provides a container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by

engagement of the container with a cam Surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and/or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.
US Patent 4341495 describes a corner post locking assembly for locking together two cargo containers placed one upon another; the assembly including an upper activating unit and a bottom twist lock and shear pin unit installed inside each vertical corner of the container; the upper activating unit being engagable by a bayonet of a hydraulically powered, container handling, spreader; the bayonet turning the upper activating unit which thus transmits rotation to the bottom twist lock and locks the shear pin to a container therein below.
US Patent 3,749,438 is a prior art relating to a twist lock for use with lifting beams for handling different kinds of cargo containers; wherein it discloses an improved twist lock which comprises an elongated shank extending from a lifting beam and having a base portion at the lower end thereof; two lug members of different lengths extend laterally outward in opposite directions from the base portion different distances from the shank; and a locator means carried by said shank above said base portion for fitting in the opening of a container corner fitting whereby said twist lock may be guided into and easily withdrawn from different kinds of container corner fittings. US3,749,438 further relates to a method for mounting the novel twist locks and their guide means in the four corners of a lifting spreader, whereby the laterally opposite corner twist locks are spaced apart a predetermined distance to enable the spreader to accommodate different kinds of containers having corner fittings with different lateral spacing and configurations.

The object of the present invention is to provide a Container Locking Device (CLD), to be used in locking large containers with the flat wagon/chassis or platform, in automatic and mechanical manner; wherein the twisting action towards locking gets activated by placing a minimum pre-defined load upon its twist head and once the said load is lifted vertically, the said twist lock gets unlocked automatically. Another prime object of the invention is to provide a Container Locking Device (CLD), comprising of major structural components named as: (i) Profile head, (ii) Thrust Washer (Upper), (iii) Upper Casing, (iv) Thrust Washer (Lower), (v) Lock Nut, (vi) Spiral Spring, (vii) Lower Casing, (viii) Lock Pin, and (ix) Bolts and Nuts; wherein the novel construction of said Container Locking Device is characterized in using it in locking large containers with the flat wagon/chassis or platform, in automatic and mechanical manner; wherein the twisting action towards locking gets activated by placing a minimum pre-defined load upon its twist head and once the said load is lifted vertically, the said twist lock gets unlocked automatically.
Another object of the invention is intended to provide such a Container Locking Device, which is free from drawbacks, particularly because its twist head is not locked with the shaft using a Pin.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel Container Locking Device with novel components, their assembly and constructional features thereof.
Another object of the invention is to provide a Container Locking Device characterized in its integral Profile head with a bottom cylindrical shape, wherein said profile head is preferably made in steel casting, making it stronger to hold the container straight and erect.
Another prime object of the invention is to provide such a Container Locking Device, in which the twist head and the shaft therein are integrated together as one

structural component, wherein such integrated structural component of the said automatic twist lock is prepared by involving state-of-the-art method and tools of casting/forging, followed by necessary machining and other finishing processes.
Summary of the invention:
The present invention particularly discloses a Container Locking Device (CLD), comprising of major structural components named as: Profile head; Thrust Washer (Upper); Upper Casing; Thrust Washer (Lower); Lock Nut; Spiral Spring; Lower Casing; Lock Pin; and Bolts and Nuts; wherein the novel construction of said Container Locking Device is characterized in locking large containers with the flat wagon/chassis or platform, in automatic and mechanical manner; wherein the twisting action towards locking gets activated by placing a minimum pre-defined load upon its twist head and once the said load is lifted vertically, the said twist lock gets unlocked automatically.
The most preferred embodiment of the said Container Locking Device (CLD), comprises of following components, characterized in their essential characteristic features mentioned therein for each of said components:
• Profile head:- to lock and unlock the container on the carrier deck; wherein the Profile of said 'Profile head' helps during entry and exit of the Container with a maximum allowable entry force of 800 Lb. and the exit force around 1600 Lb.;
• Thrust Washer (Upper):- which acts as a thrust bearing while actuating the Profile Head at the time of entry;

• Upper Casing:- which, along with the Lower casing, is used to box up the Container Locking Device and to hold the Profile Head straight;
• Thrust Washer (Lower):- which also acts as a thrust bearing and helps in smooth rotation of the 'Profile head' at the time of exit;
• Lock Nut:- which is provisioned in the assembly to hold the Profile head straight on the Upper Casing;
• Spiral Spring:- which is placed in the slot of Profile head Shank, to apply a torsional force on the said Profile head during entry and exit of container locking slot;
• Lower Casing:- the 'Spiral Spring' is boxed up inside the Lower Casing and Upper Casing, which is then welded to mount on the Carrier deck;
• Lock Pin:- which is welded with the Lower Casing, provisioned therein to lock the Spiral Spring with the Lower Casing; and
• Bolts and Nuts:- which are used to Box up the Upper Casing and Lower Casing.
Method of locking a container with the flat wagon/chassis or platform using the said Container Locking Device of the instant invention includes:
• Actuation of the twisting action towards automatic locking in mechanical manner, when the minimum pre-defined load is applied upon twist head of said Container Locking Device in a particular position or angle; and
• Actuation of automatic unlocking, once the said load is released/lifted at a particular angle, preferably at 90°, in upward.

In one exemplary aspect of actuating automatic locking and unlocking, said method of locking a container using the said Container Locking Device is characterized in the profile of the Profile head, which allows the entry of the container slot at an entry force not less than 300 Lb. and which allows the departure of the container from the wagon the bottom, at a minimum exit force of 1600 Lb.
In one preferred exemplary situation of actuating automatic locking using the said Container Locking Device (CLD) of the instant invention, said method comprises engaging the container locking device (CLD) at a maximum load of 800 Lb., as the said Container load is forced on the Top Profile of the 'Profile head' which forcibly twists said 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring', resulting in entry of said 'Profile head' into the slot of the Container and returns back to position after entering the Container slot to lock the Container along with the carrier deck. In one preferred exemplary situation of actuating automatic unlocking of a container while the said container is lifted upwards for unloading, said method comprises disengaging the container locking device (CLD) to unlock the said container at a minimum load of 1600 Lb., as the said Container load is forced on the Bottom Profile of the 'Profile head' which forcibly twist the 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring', so that the 'Profile head' leaves the slot on the Container and thus gets disengaged from the carrier deck.
Short description of the drawings:
Fig.1 represents schematic Sectional View of Container Locking Device (CLD), as disclosed in the instant invention;
Fig. 2 represents schematic Bottom View of Container Locking Device (CLD), as disclosed in the instant invention;

Fig. 3 represents schematic exploded view of the Automatic Twist Lock of the Prior
Art;
Fig. 4: Schematic exploded view of the Container Locking Device (CLD) showing its
components in the assembly thereof, as disclosed in the instant invention; and
Fig. 5: Comparison between Automatic Twist Lock of the Prior Art and the Container
Locking Device (CLD).
Numerals used in the description hereinbelow to indicate particular structural
component or feature of the said Container Locking Device of the instant invention
are mentioned in the following table:

Description of the instant invention:
The present invention generally disclose a novel Container Locking Device which is
an effective and safe locking device to meet the requirement of a fool proof
arrangement of Container getting toppled from the Carrier deck.
A container locking device enables a user to lock and secure a cargo container to a
carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projected Profile head entering the
container-locking slot. The Profile head is an integral component, which rotates on its
bottom cylindrical edge between an unlocked or loading position in which the profile
head moves through the container-locking slot and a locked position in which the
container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a profile of the
profile head.
When the container is placed on the carrier deck the container locking slot forces the
profile to twist the profile head on its axis to enter the container-locking slot till it
enters completely. The profile head is then back to its original position locking the
container on the deck, due to spring load actuating on the cylindrical edge of the
profile head.
When the container is lifted to remove, the bottom profile of the profile head is
actuated and thus the container is released from the carrier deck.
The basic application of Container Locking Device is to be actuated during
positioning of the Container on the Carrier deck in the event of high speed and long
run. This will hold the container rigidly and safely with the Carrier deck.
It has become a need of the Indian Railways to use a mechanism which can hold the
container on a low bed flat Carrier deck.
Container Locking Device works at maximum entry force of 800 Lb. but the exit force
is around 1600 Lb.

Description of the invention with the help of most preferred embodiment of Container Locking Device, as indicated in drawings hereinbelow:
The structural and constructional features of the most preferred embodiment of the Container Locking Device, as disclosed in the present specification, are substantially discussed as under:
Container Locking Device (CLD) consists the following parts, which are also depicted in Figures 1 and 2 hereinbelow:
• 'Profile head' to lock and unlock the container on the carrier deck. The Profile of the 'Profile head' helps during entry and exit of the Container with a maximum allowable entry force of 800 Lb. and the exit force around 1600 Lb.
• Thrust Washer (Upper) acts as a thrust bearing while actuating the Profile Head at the time of entry
• 'Upper Casing' along with the Lower casing is used to box up the Container Locking Device and to hold the Profile Head straight.
• Thrust Washer (Lower) also acts as a thrust bearing and helps in smooth rotation of the 'Profile head' at the time of exit.
• 'Lock Nut' to hold the 'Profile head' straight on the 'Upper Casing'.
• 'Spiral Spring' is placed in the slot of 'Profile head' Shank, to apply a torsional force on the 'Profile head' during entry and exit of Container locking slot.
• Lower Casing' The 'Spiral Spring' is boxed up inside the 'Lower Casing' and 'Upper Casing' which is then welded to mount on the Carrier deck.

• 'Lock Pin' is welded with the Lower Casing' to lock the 'Spiral Spring' with the 'Lower Casing'.
• 'Bolts and Nuts are used to Box up the 'Upper Casing' and 'Lower Casing'.
FUNCTIONALITY OF A CONTAINER LOCKING DEVICE (CLD)
The Container Locking Device is used for automatically loading and unloading
freight containers easily, quickly and safely.
As the Container is loaded on the Carrier Deck, the Profile of the 'Profile
head' twists and allows its entry into the Container slot at an entry force of
Maximum 800 Lb. and in the event of departing the Container from the carrier
deck the bottom profile of the 'Profile head' twist's, such that, an exit force of
1600 Lb. is required to depart the Container.
Similar sequential operations are followed for actuation of Container Locking
Device with a maximum force of 800 Lb. and the exit force around 1600 Lb.
ENGAGING THE CONTAINER LOCKING DEVICE (CLD)
At a maximum load of 800 Lb. Container load is forced on the Top Profile of the 'Profile head' which forcibly twist the 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring'. The 'Profile head' enters into the slot of the Container and returns back to position after entering the Container slot to lock the Container along with the carrier deck. DISENGAGING THE CONTAINER LOCKING DEVICE (CLD)
When the Container is lifted Upwards for unloading, to unlock the container a minimum load of 1600 Lb. Container load is forced on the Bottom Profile of

the 'Profile head' which forcibly twist the 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring'. The 'Profile head' leaves the slot on the Container and thus gets disengaged from the carrier deck.
Advantages Of Container Locking Device of the instant invention:
In comparison to available conventional twist locks, the Container locking Device of the instant invention is characterized in:
• Heavy and Robust;
• Easy to Assemble;
• Compact in size;
• Hassel free fitment;
• Actuates automatic locking in mechanical manner when the desired load applied upon it in a particular position or angle;
• Actuates automatic unlocking in mechanical manner, once the load is released/lifted at a particular angle, preferably at 90° in upward direction;
• More accurate due less no. of pin joints.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention includes advantages and features over and beyond the specific illustrated construction. Accordingly it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited solely by the scope of the claims, and not by the foregoing specification, when interpreted in light of the relevant prior art.

We Claim:
1. Container Locking Device (CLD), comprising of major structural components named as: (i) Profile head, (ii) Thrust Washer (Upper), (iii) Upper Casing, (iv) Thrust Washer (Lower), (v) Lock Nut, (vi) Spiral Spring, (vii) Lower Casing, (viii) Lock Pin, and (ix) Bolts and Nuts.
2. Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in locking large containers with the flat wagon/chassis or platform, in automatic and mechanical manner; wherein the twisting action towards locking gets activated by placing a minimum pre-defined load upon its twist head and once the said load is lifted vertically, the said twist lock gets unlocked automatically.
3. Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Container Locking Device comprises an integral Profile head with a bottom cylindrical shape steel casting, wherein said Container Locking Device is characterized in a better and easy locking and unlocking system with enhanced structural strength to hold the container straight and erect.
4. Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the most preferred embodiment of the said Container Locking Device (CLD), comprises of following components, characterized in their essential characteristic features mentioned therein for each of said components:
• Profile head:- to lock and unlock the container on the carrier deck; wherein the Profile of said 'Profile head' helps during entry and exit of the Container with a maximum allowable entry force of 800 Lb. and the exit force around 1600 Lb.;

• Thrust Washer (Upper):- which acts as a thrust bearing while actuating the Profile Head at the time of entry;
• Upper Casing:- which, along with the Lower casing, is used to box up the Container Locking Device and to hold the Profile Head straight;
• Thrust Washer (Lower):- which also acts as a thrust bearing and helps in smooth rotation of the 'Profile head' at the time of exit;
• Lock Nut:- which is provisioned in the assembly to hold the Profile head straight on the Upper Casing;
• Spiral Spring:- which is placed in the slot of Profile head Shank, to apply a torsional force on the said Profile head during entry and exit of container locking slot;
• Lower Casing:- the 'Spiral Spring' is boxed up inside the Lower Casing and Upper Casing, which is then welded to mount on the Carrier deck;
• Lock Pin:- which is welded with the Lower Casing, provisioned therein to lock the Spiral Spring with the Lower Casing; and
• Bolts and Nuts:- which are used to Box up the Upper Casing and Lower Casing.
5. Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1, which is characterized with regard to conventional practice in the concerned field in one of the following structural or functional features:
• Heavy and Robust;
• Easy to Assemble;
• Compact in size;
• Hassel free fitment;

• Actuates automatic locking in mechanical manner when the desired load applied upon it in a particular position or angle;
• Actuates automatic unlocking in mechanical manner, once the load is released/lifted at a particular angle, preferably at 90° in upward direction;
• More accurate due to less no. of pin joints.

6. Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure and construction of Profile head is so selected that it is an integrated single component, acting as twist head and the cylindrical shaft therein.
7. Method of locking a container with the flat wagon/chassis or platform using the said Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1; wherein said method includes:

• Actuation of the twisting action towards automatic locking in mechanical manner, when the minimum pre-defined load is applied upon twist head of said Container Locking Device in a particular position or angle; and
• Actuation of automatic unlocking, once the said load is released/lifted at a particular angle, preferably at 90°, in upward.
8. Method of locking a container using the said Container Locking Device, as
claimed in claim 1; wherein in one exemplary aspect of actuation automatic
locking and unlocking, said method is characterized in the profile of the Profile
head, which allows the entry of the container slot at an entry force not less
than 300 Lb. and which allows the departure of the container from the wagon
the bottom, at a minimum exit force of 1600 Lb.

9. Method of locking a container using the said Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1; wherein in one exemplary aspect of actuating automatic locking, said method comprises engaging the container locking device (CLD) at a maximum load of 800 Lb., as the said Container load is forced on the Top Profile of the 'Profile head' which forcibly twists said 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring', resulting in entry of said 'Profile head' into the slot of the Container and returns back to position after entering the Container slot to lock the Container along with the carrier deck.
10. Method of locking a container using the said Container Locking Device, as claimed in claim 1; wherein in one exemplary aspect of actuating automatic unlocking while the said container is lifted upwards for unloading, said method comprises disengaging the container locking device (CLD) to unlock the said container at a minimum load of 1600 Lb., as the said Container load is forced on the Bottom Profile of the 'Profile head' which forcibly twist the 'Profile head' against the force of the 'Spiral Spring', so that the 'Profile head' leaves the slot on the Container and thus gets disengaged from the carrier deck.