Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling piece for the detachable connection of corner fittings of adjacent containers, especially of containers stacked one above the other on board ships.In order to reduce the manual effort involved in coupling together containers, semi-automatic coupling pieces are known which only need to be manually attached to one container and pre-locked. A full locking after the containers have been placed one on top of the other is effected automatically. Coupling pieces of this type require however, in many respects, a complex automatic actuating mechanism.In order to simplify the automatic actuating mechanism, a plurality of stop faces (43, 44 and 45) are provided, which are offset to one another on the locking bolt (21) and which can be brought alternately into a corresponding position to a stop face (54) on a spring-loaded ram (23).

Abstract: Coupling piece for the detachable connection of corner fittings of containers stacked one above the other on board ships. Work to reduce the manual effort involved in coupling together the containers, often semi-automatically. The satisfactory operation of such coupling pieces depends essentially upon the observance of various operating specifics. If this is not done, malfunctions will result.The coupling piece according to the invention is intended to be able to be operated in a simple and error-free manner in order to avoid such malfunctions. To this end, an actuating device (22) for twisting the locking bolt (21) displaying crossbolts (32, 33) for connecting the containers is provided with a rope (49) displaying two pull cords (57, 58), which rope is connected centrally to the locking bolt (21). As a result of the two pull cords (57, 58), it is possible to twist the locking bolt (21) both clockwise and anti-clockwise.