Abstract: A semi automatic twistlock for engagement with corner castings of ISO containers is operated by a cable. The cable extends around a shaft journalled in a housing, to rotate the cones that arc fixed to opposite ends of the shaft. The cable is extended or retracted though an operating channel and is biased to the retracted position by a spring coupled to the cable on an opposite end of the cable. The cable has a collar which can engage with a first or second stop formed in the operating channel or can remain disengaged in the fully retracted position to thereby permit selective positioning of the cones relative to the shaft.

Abstract: The twistlock comprises a housing with a shaft journalled into the housing with a cone formed on a first end of the shaft protruding from a top of the housing. The cone biseing elongate radially for passage through a first elongate slot of an upper container corner casting. An upper surface of the cone is bevelled so that sides of the first elongate can force the cone and shaft to rotate from a locked position to an unlocked position to enable passage through the first elongate slot, and a lower surface of said cone being bevelled so that the sides of the first elongate slot can force the cone and shaft to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position. The shaft is biased by a spring into the locked position.