Self-locking and- releasing connector group for the connection of two components, at least one of which comprises an undercut hole

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-locking and -releasing connector group, for the connection of two components, at least one of which comprises a hole for the partial introduction of the connector group and which is preferably a corner fitting on a sea freight container. Said group comprises a housing (2), at least one locking component (170), which can be displaced back and forth between a released position and a closed position, a stop component, displaceably mounted on the housing, whereby the housing may be fixed to one of the components and the locking component, in the released position thereof, may be inserted in the hole of the other component, during the relative manoeuvring of the components to be fixed together. Said stop component is moved, relative to the housing, by the other component during further relative manoeuvring of the components, which moves the locking component from the released position into the locked position, in which it engages with the undercut in the longitudinal hole, thus locking the two components together. The group further comprises a locking device (182), which prevents a displacement of the locking component (170), from the locked position into the released position, on a separation of the two components which are locked together, when the above are accelerated above a certain level and/or displaced from the rest position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self locking and self releasing connector group for the connection of two components, at least one of which comprises an undercut hole for partial insertion or introduction of the connector group and which is preferably a corner fitting of a sea freight container.

[0002] Sea freight containers are transported on ships in several loading dispositions one over another. In order to ensure that the containers do not slide during sea travel, the containers must be reliably secured to one another. In this connection, connector groups are installed in the hollow corner fittings of the containers which prevent a sideward sliding and a release of the containers on top of other containers. Such connector groups are configured such that they must be manually released to effect unloading of the containers, in that, for example, a hammerhead which extends through a longitudinal hole in a corner fitting is turned in such a manner that the hammerhead no longer under grips the longitudinal hole and releases the container for lift off movement thereof by means of a crane. This manual release of the component groups is not only tiresome, as the containers are stacked in stacked dispositions up to ten high, but is, as well, dangerous because the container handling occurs at high elevations between tightly stacked containers on a ship deck.

[0003] DE 43 07 781 C2 proposes a container coupling which is designed to solve the above-noted problem. This container coupling comprises a housing having a through opening and comprised of several housing components, whereby a locking bolt is rotatably mounted in the through opening on whose end outside of the housing an asymmetrical transverse lock is arranged which is movable in a corner fitting of a container alternately between a locking position and a release position. The locking bolt is mounted on a ball movable along an inclined path in a housing component in such a manner that the locking bolt during sideward inclination or leaning of a ship assumes a locking position, in that the locking bolt under grips both corner fittings for a securement together of the containers stacked on one another, and during an upright ship movement, assumes its release position in which it releases the containers from one another for removal of the containers.

[0004] A characteristic of a coupling of this conventional type is that the locking bolt must be extraordinarily stable and is substantially imposed upon, while in its disposition during a swinging movement of the ship, even if this is a relatively long movement, to necessarily follow the movement with a high sensitivity as otherwise no secure opposed retention of the containers can be assured.

[0005] The invention provides a solution to the challenge of providing a self-locking and self-releasing connector group which is deployable in multiple situations and by which the above-noted problems do not occur.

[0006] This challenge is met by the features of the principal claim.

[0007] In the inventive component group, the locking component not only moves via the force of gravity or, as the occasion arises, via its inertia, into the locking position but, rather, moves positively via the impact component which itself is moved by the large force generated by the to-be-interconnected components, which are to be moved toward one another such as, for example, sea freight containers. In this manner, it is ensured that the component groups securely and reliably interconnect the components of the connector group with one another. Furthermore, the locking component does not move each time that the connector group is moved out of its vertical position such as, for example, during swinging movement or rolling of a ship. In this manner, the long-term operational fitness is advantageously influenced. The locking device is configured with an organic component group with which the movement capability of the locking component out of the locking position can be positively locked out. This increases, in any event, the functional reliability of the connector group, whereby the locking device is substantially sealed off to the outside, is not loaded with any high forces, is correspondingly configured to react in a sensitive manner, and can lock the respective arrangements against various outside influences.

[0008] The dependent claims are directed toward advantageous embodiments and further configurations of the inventive connector group, whose advantages are made clear in the hereinafter following description.

[0009] The invention can be deployed in numerous settings, in which two components, at least one of which comprises an undercut hole, should be automatically interconnected with one another solely during movement of one component toward the other and which should be releasable from one another without manual manipulation of the connector group, whereby this release is only possible upon the fulfillment of predetermined conditions relating to the loading and/or the movement of at least one of the connector group components. The invention is not only suitable for opposed securement of containers stacked one upon another but, instead, is also suitable for containers situated adjacent to one another which are to be interconnected with one another, on a railroad car, a loading platform, and so forth having other components provided with suitable holes, such as carriers, building elements, and so forth.

[0010] The invention is further described in the following schematic drawings and is described in connection with further details thereof.

[0011] FIG. 1 a side view of a connector group,

[0012] FIG. 2 a front view of the connector group,

[0013] FIG. 3 a view of a lower shell of a housing,

[0014] FIG. 4 a view of an upper shell of the housing,

[0015] FIG. 5 a sectional view through the upper shell and the lower shell of the housing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, taken vertically through the views shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,

[0016] FIG. 6 a perspective view of components comprised in the housing,

[0017] FIG. 7 a perspective view of the connector group,

[0018] FIGS. 8 and 9 side views of the connector groups in various functional conditions,

[0019] FIG. 10 the side view of the view shown in FIG. 9 turned about an angle of 90 degrees about a vertical axis,

[0020] FIG. 11 a sketch for explaining the function of a locking device,

[0021] FIGS. 12 and 13 side views of a second embodiment of the connector group in two different functional conditions,

[0022] FIGS. 14 and 15 side views of a third embodiment of the connector group,

[0023] FIGS. 16 and 17 side views of a fourth embodiment of the connector group in two different functional conditions,

[0024] FIG. 18 a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a locking device built together with a locking component with an interior portion thereof revealed in broken lines,

[0025] FIG. 19 a view along the locking direction of the tappet comprised in the locking device shown in FIG. 19, in sectional view,

[0026] FIG. 20 a bellows comprised in the locking device,

[0027] FIG. 21 a ball,

[0028] FIG. 22 a vertical sectional view through a locked housing, taken along the plane XII-XII of FIG. 18,

[0029] FIG. 23 a horizontal sectional view through the locking device shown in FIG. 18, taken along the plane XIII-XIII of FIG. 18,

[0030] FIG. 24 a modified embodiment of a tappet,

[0031] FIG. 25 a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a connector group,

[0032] FIG. 26 a front view of a connector group as shown in FIG. 25, FIG. 27 a longitudinal sectional view through the connector group as shown in FIG. 25,

[0033] FIG. 28 a view of two locking components,

[0034] FIG. 29 a perspective view of a slide,

[0035] FIG. 30 a schematic transverse sectional view through the group shown in FIG. 25,

[0036] FIG. 31 a locking device in an exploded view,

[0037] FIG. 32 a locking device in side view,

[0038] FIG. 33 a side view of an embodiment modified relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 25 in released condition,

[0039] FIG. 34 a side view of the group shown in FIG. 33 in locked condition,

[0040] FIG. 35 a rear view of the group shown in FIG. 33 with a separated receipt element,

[0041] FIG. 36 a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 33 with the receipt element inserted into the connector group,

[0042] FIG. 37 a perspective view of the connector group shown in FIGS. 33-36,

[0043] FIG. 38 the connector groups shown in FIG. 37, deployed in a receipt element,

[0044] FIG. 39 a perspective view for explaining an advantageous deployment of the arrangement shown in FIG. 38,

[0045] FIG. 40 a sectional view of a railroad car for deployment of the inventive connector groups similar to those shown in FIG. 37,

[0046] FIG. 41 an advantageous detail of a housing of an inventive connector group and

[0047] FIG. 42 an advantageous detail of a housing of an inventive connector group.

[0048] As seen in FIG. 1, the connector group comprises a housing 2 with an upper end region 3 and a flange 4. A hammerhead 6 extends from the upper end region 3. A tappet-like stop element 8 extends from the lower end of the housing body. A hand grip 10 extends from the flange. Bolts are designated with 11. A through opening is designated with 12, through which a locking slide 14 is movable, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector group shown in FIG. 1 shown in a front view thereof. As can be seen, a head 14 of the hammerhead 6 is not annularly shaped but, rather, has a greater extent in its front dimension than in its side dimension.

[0050] The housing 2 is put together from a lower shell 16 (FIG. 3) and an upper shell 18 (FIG. 4).

[0051] To effect the assembling together of the housing, the upper shell 18 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction through 180 degrees out of the plane of the drawing paper and set onto the lower shell 16. Thereafter, both shells are connected with one another by threaded engagement of the bolts 11, which are being received in corresponding holes in the housing shells.

[0052] The shells 16 and 18 together form an upper hollow space 20 and an inner space 21. The hammerhead 6 is movably received in the upper hollow space 20 and, due to its flange 22, is received in a contoured locking manner and in a retaining manner such that it cannot be unintentionally released. A spring 24 biases the hammerhead 6 in a predetermined locking position. The hand grip 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) extends with a non-illustrated shoulder in a through channel 26 and is connected with the flange 22 via a push pull cable (not shown), so that, by pulling on the hand grip 10, the hammerhead 6 is rotatable against the bias of the spring 24 into a release position out of which position the hammerhead, upon release of the hand grip 10, returns to its locking position.

[0053] As can be further seen in FIG. 3 and 4, a through opening 30 in the lower shell 16 corresponding to the through opening 12 of the upper shell 18 is, in the illustrated example, configured such that, in the assembled-together housing, both of the through openings 12 and 30 do not coincide with one another but, instead, are arranged in mirror-image symmetry relative to the middle of the housing.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows, in the left-hand half thereof, a vertical sectional view through the lower shell 16, taken along the plane V-V in FIG. 3 and, in its right-hand half, a vertical sectional view through the upper shell 18, taken along the plane V-V in FIG. 4. As can be seen, the through openings 12 and 30 are arranged at the same height. Moreover, the holes 31, configured in the housing shells for receipt of the bolts 11 (FIG. 1), are visible in FIG. 5.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows the entire connector group in perspective view, whereby the through opening 12 in the illustrated connector group is not, as in FIG. 4, rounded-off but is, instead, completely right angled.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows three components of a connector group which is received in the inner space 21 of the housing 2.

[0057] A bridge-type spread component 32 comprises a horizontal shank 34 from which two spread pieces 36, set in opposition to one another by 180 degrees, extend outwardly, each being configured with an inclined surface 38 and a projection 40 disposed at the top. From the shank 34, the tappet-like stop element 8 (FIG. 1) extends downwardly.

[0058] A corresponding lock slide 13 (FIG. 1) (only one is illustrated) works in connection with the inclined surface 38 of each spread piece, the locking slide 13 comprising an inclined surface 46 and a guide element 48.

[0059] Furthermore, a locking device 50 with a housing 52 is provided in which a shaft (FIG. 10) is mounted onto which a band 54 is wound up. The capability of the shaft to rotate can be locked out by means of a lock mechanism in FIG. 6 (not illustrated).

[0060] The assembling together of the illustrated components to comprise a complete connector group is as follows:

[0061] Initially, the hammerhead 6 with the spring 24 engaged thereagainst is disposed in the hollow space 20 of the lower shell 16 and the hand grip 10 is brought via a not illustrated connection into engagement with the flange 22. Thereafter, the spread component 32 is disposed in the lower shell 16 in a manner such that the stop element 8 extends downwardly through a recess or, respectively, an opening 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4) outwardly of the lower shell 16. In this condition, a spring 56 (FIG. 8) is deployed between the shank 34 and the lower shell 16 or, respectively, a later installed housing. Thereafter, one of the locking slides 13 is disposed in the lower shell 16 in a manner such that it extends into the through opening 30. In this condition, a spring 59 (FIG. 8) is installed between the guide element 48 of the locking slide 13 and the lower shell 16. Furthermore, a locking device 50 is disposed in the housing 52 in, for example, a corresponding recess in the lower shell 16 (not shown), so that it is received therein in a fixed manner, and the band 54 is secured at 58 (FIG. 6) to the shank 34. Then, the other locking slide is inserted in the through opening 12 of the upper shell 18 by deployment of an additional spring 59 (not shown) between the guide element of this locking slide and the upper shell 18. Thereafter, the upper shell 18 is disposed on the lower shell 16 and the housing 2 is secured together by threaded engagement of the bolts 12 and is placed in a finished condition.

[0062] The forces of the springs 59 and 56 are selected relative to one another such that the locking slide 13 is moved via biasing action of the spring associated therewith into the inner space 21 and thereat presses the spread component 32 outwardly, in a manner which overcomes the pressure of the spring 56, until the spread component 32 lies on the housing floor. The dimensioning of the components is such that the locking slides 13 do not extend out of the through openings 12 and 30 once the spread component 32 is moved into its deepest possible position in which the stop element 8 is disposed downwardly to the widest possible extent out of the housing 2. This condition of the connector group is shown in FIG. 8, in which the locking slides 13 are disposed in the maximum inward position on the inclined surfaces 38 and do not extend outwardly of the housing 2. As is visible in FIG. 8, a magnet 60 is disposed on the lower rear surface of the stop element 8. All moving components are securely movably guided by corresponding guide surfaces of the housing 2.

[0063] The function of the connector group is described hereinafter:

[0064] The hammerhead 6 is turned with assistance of the hand grip 10 out of its locking position shown in FIG. 8 through 90 degrees into a release position. The hammerhead can then be introduced into a longitudinal hole 66 in the underside of a corner fitting 64 into the interior of the corner fitting 64 until the flange 4 comes into engagement with the underside of the corner fitting 64. In this manner, the end region 3 of the housing 2 extends into the longitudinal hole and secures the housing 2 against turning. Thereafter, the hand grip 10 is released so that the hammerhead 6 is turned via the biasing action of the spring 24 into its locking position as shown in FIG. 8, in which the hammerhead under grips the longitudinal hole 66 and the connector group locks the corner fitting 64 or, respectively, the corresponding container.

[0065] If this container or, respectively, this corner fitting 64, is now lowered via, for example, a crane, towards a lower container or, respectively, an upper corner fitting 68 of such a container, the housing 2 can move into this corner fitting 68 through a longitudinal hole 70 thereof. In the course of this movement or, respectively, this lowering of the upper container, the stop element 8 comes into a position on the floor 72 of the corner fitting 68. During a further lowering of the housing 2, the stop element 8 is pushed into the housing 2 and, thereby, the spread component 32 is pushed relative to the housing toward the top thereof, whereby the band 54 is wound up within the housing 52 so that it remains rigid.

[0066] The locking slides 13 cannot follow this outward movement, as their top sides are in engagement with the upper edges of the through openings 12 and 30. The locking slides 32 are, via the positions of the inclined surfaces 38 and 46, pushed against the force of the spring 59 out of their inner rest position as shown in FIG. 8 toward the outside to nearby extend through the through openings 12, 30 outwardly, until they eventually extend into their outer locking positions shown in FIG. 9, in which they extend out of the housing 2 and under grip the longitudinal hole 70. In this position, as shown in FIG. 9, the flange 4 lies against the lower corner fitting 68, so that the upper corner fitting 64 or, respectively, the associated container, are engaged by the flange 4 extending out of the lower corner fitting 68 or, respectively, the associated lower container. FIG. 10 shows the arrangement shown in FIG. 9 but rotated about a vertical axis through 90 degrees.

[0067] A side displacement between the opposed containers is not possible due to the form-locking engagement of the housing 2 with the respective longitudinal holes 66 and 70.

[0068] If the containers are disposed one upon the other on a ship, there occurs a securement as well against an oppositely directed release in the vertical direction of the corner fittings and thus, the containers, due to the locking device 50.

[0069] FIG. 11 shows, in an exemplary manner, the construction or configuration of the locking device 50. A spring which is not illustrated is disposed in the housing 52 to bias the shaft 76 in a wind-up direction, the shaft 76 operating to wind the band 54 thereon. The shaft 76 includes, on its side, a disc 76 whose circumferential edge is configured with a tooth structure 80. A blocking tappet 82 is moveably guided in the housing adjacent the tooth structure, the blocking tappet being linked with a lever 84 which, in turn, is linked with a lever 86 which is mounted in the housing 52. A inertia mass 88 is disposed at the connection location between the levers 85 and 86 and is suspended from springs 92 and 94. The capability of the inertia mass 88 to move downwardly is limited by a stop 96.

[0070] The function of the described arrangement is as follows:

[0071] The shaft 76 is biased to rotate in the clockwise direction so that the band 54 is constantly maintained in tension. Normally, the shaft 76 is rotateable so that an enlargement of the distance between the spread component 32 and the housing 52 is possible in that the shaft 76 rotates in the clockwise direction. If a reduced gravity force acts on the arrangement, such as is the case, for example, if a ship dips into a wave trough, the inertia mass 88 moves under the influence of the springs 92 and 94 outwardly from its equilibrium position, whereby the angle between the levers 84 and 86 increases and the blocking tappet 82 is moved toward the left so that it extends into the tooth structure 80 and blocks rotation of the shaft in the direction towards which an extension of the band 54 would occur. During the application of normal or, even, larger gravity forces, the shaft 76 is again freely rotatable.

[0072] The locking device 50, as installed in the connector group, functions as follows:

[0073] It is assumed, with reference to the position shown in FIG. 8, that the upper corner fitting 64 or, respectively, the upper container, seeks to move away from the lower corner fitting 68 when, for example, the ship dips into a wave trough. The inertia mass 88 then is under the influence of a reduced gravity force so that an extension of the band 54 is blocked. If the connector group is, as a result of the play between the locking slides 13 and the inner upper side of the corner fitting 68, raised upwardly, the band 54 overcomes the retention force between the magnet 60 and the floor 72 of the corner fitting to thereby raise the spread component 62 upwardly, so that the locking slides 13 remain in the illustrated position and a release of the connector group out of the lower corner fitting 68 is blocked. The container is thus, as well, reliably interconnected to the other container in the event of strong ship movement.

[0074] If the upper corner fitting 64 or, respectively, the associated container, are, in contrast, lifted upwardly by, for example, a crane, then no reduced gravity force acts on the inertia mass 88, whereby the band 54 is free to be wound out from the shaft and, upon raising of the connector group, the stop component 42 remains in engagement with the floor 72 via the magnetic retention force of the magnet 60, so that the spread component 32 remains, relative to the housing 2, displaced downwardly, whereby the locking slide 54, under the influence of the spring 59, is pushed inwardly and assumes the position shown in FIG. 7, in which it releases the connector group for removal from the corner fitting 68. The stop element 8 releases itself from the floor 72, once the spread component 32 engages the lower end of the housing 2. The magnet 60 ensures that the stop element 8 initially remains engaged to the floor 72 of the corner fitting 68 during raising of the housing 2, whereby this ensures that the spread component 32 moves outwardly relative to the housing 2 and the locking slides 13 return to their inner release positions.

[0075] It is to be understood that the dimensioning of the individual components and the inclined surfaces 38 and 46 for spreading apart the locking slides 44 are selected relative to one another such that the distance a between the upper side of the locking slide 13 and the corner fitting 68 (FIG. 9) is the smallest possible value. This distance a is dictated by the fact that, during insertion of the connector group, the locking slides 13 first can move out of the housing to under grip positions in a longitudinal hole 70, when the locking slides are in the interior of the corner fitting 68, and the stop element 8 moves upwardly due to its engagement on the floor 72 of the corner fitting 68 during further downward movement of the housing 2, whereby, thereafter, the locking slides move outwardly.

[0076] FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment of the connector group in its release position and lock position, whereby, solely for the purpose of explaining the difference between the heretofore illustrated embodiment, the figures are provided with reference numerals. The locking slides 13 are provided on their upper sides with an inclined surface 68 which is enlarged relative to the inclined surfaces of the heretofore illustrated embodiment. Correspondingly, the through openings 12 and 13 do not need to be configured such that they constantly guide the locking slides along their upper and lower sides. A constant non-obstructed guiding of the locking slides 13 is thus ensured so that the under side of the locking slide is guided along the under side of the through openings and the over sides on the elements 40 are guided along corresponding guides (not illustrated) of the housing 2.

[0077] The functioning of this embodiment is as follows:

[0078] During the introduction of the housing 2 into the lower corner fitting 68, the locking slide 13 is disposed completely within the housing 2, whereby the inclined surfaces 68 are at a distance from the upper edge of the respective through opening 12 or, respectively, 30. Once the stop element 8 comes into engagement with the floor 72 of the corner fitting 68 (somewhat the position shown in FIG. 12), the spread component 62 is raised and, upon further lowering of the housing 2 into the lower corner fitting, moves the locking slides 13 outwardly until, in the fully lowered position of the housing 2 (engagement of the flange 4 on the lower corner fitting 68), these locking slides have been moved so far outwardly that the original distance between the upper edge of the through openings 12, 13 has been substantially fully consumed. As can be seen in FIG. 13, there exists, between the inclined surfaces 68 and the edge of the longitudinal hole 70, in comparison to the heretofore described embodiment, only a very small play, whereby the upper corner fitting 64 (the lower corner fitting of the upper container) is raised only a small amount from the lower corner fitting 68 (the upper corner fitting of the lower container). This reduced play is very advantageous during difficult sea travel, as the container is secured, as well, in substantially play-free manner in the vertical direction.

[0079] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the connector group of the type shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the locking slides 13 comprise, on their upper sides and lower sides, inclined surfaces 100, 102, which are parallel to one another and for which corresponding through openings 13, 30 are configured. The inclined surfaces 100, 102 are oriented outwardly and are upwardly inclined. With the configuration of the inclined surfaces 100, 102 and the corresponding configuration of the through openings 13, 30 and the spread component 32 or, respectively, its inclined surfaces, the following is achieved: once the connector group with the housing 2 has been lowered to a sufficient extent into the corner fitting 68 such that the stop element 8 comes into engagement with the floor 72 (FIG. 14), the locking slides 13 are moved, upon further lowering movement of the housing 2, at an inclination outwardly and upwardly so that, in the fully lowered condition of the housing 2, the locking slides extend into the position shown in FIG. 15. In this manner, during an upward movement of the locking slides 13, at least a portion of the outward movement of the housing 2 is compensated for, so that the distance between the upper side of the locking slide 13 and the upper wall of the corner fitting 68 is reduced relative to that of the first-described embodiment of the connector group. It is to be understood that a relatively slight distance is advantageously maintained so that the locking slides 13, upon raising of the housing 2, can be moved via the return force of the spring 59 into the housing 2. The guiding or, respectively, inclined, surfaces of the spread component 32 and the locking slides 13, by means of which the locking slides move outwardly at an inclination toward the top during a lowering movement of the spread component or, respectively, move inwardly at an inclination towards the bottom, are shown in broken lines in FIG. 14 and are otherwise not detailed in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0080] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further embodiment of the connector group in its release position and its lock position. In connection with this embodiment, the locking slides 13 comprise, on their upper sides, recesses 103. Further, on the outer end regions of the inclined surfaces 38 of the spread component 32 and/or on the regions cooperating therewith of the locking slides 13, raised cams 104 are provided. This embodiment provides the following: near the end of the outward movement of the locking slides 13, these locking slides are slightly raised due to the raised cams 104. This raising of the locking slides is possible because of the recesses 103 which permit the movement of the locking slides 13 relative to their through openings 12, 30. Also, in connection with this embodiment, the distance which exists between the upper side of the locking slides 13 and the inner side of the corner fitting 68 is correspondingly reduced, in that the locking slides are raised during at least a portion of their movement stroke.

[0081] Since the housing 2, the locking slides 13, and the hammerhead 6 can be highly mechanically loaded, these are preferably comprised out of wrought steel or high value cast metal. The spread component 32 also is advantageously comprised of this material. It is to be understood that the interior of the housing 52 of the locking device 50 is carefully protected against the entry of water or dirt.

[0082] The invention can be modified in multiple ways. For example, the locking device 50 can additionally comprise a mechanism which blocks the capability of the shaft to rotate in the unwinding direction of the band 54 upon exceeding a pre-determined speed, so that a rapid or hurried lifting of the hammerhead 6 towards the top is blocked which would otherwise effect the release of the connector group from the lower corner fitting 68. Such rotational blocking means are conventionally known and are not further described herein. A single locking slide can be provided or more than two locking slides can be provided. The rotation mechanism for the hammerhead can be omitted in that the connector group is disposed directly with the hammerhead into the corner fitting and can be then turned such that the head of the hammerhead under grips the longitudinal hole. The hammerhead can be integrally formed with the housing as an integrally formed single piece. The housing flange can be omitted such that the lower corner fitting of a container can lie directly on the upper corner fitting of another respective container disposed thereunder. There is extensive freedom of design with respect to the constructive configuration of the individual components so long as the core idea of the invention is implemented—namely, that the connector group is removable out of the corner fitting 68 during raising of the hammerhead 6 only under pre-determined conditions and, upon the occurrence of other conditions, blocks this removal.

[0083] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a locking device 110 in its condition on the spread component 32 (see, for example, FIG. 6).

[0084] The locking device 110 comprises a locking housing 115 formed of 2 housing halves 112 and 114. The housing halves 112 and 114 are configured in mirror-image symmetry relative to one another and can be threadingly interconnected to one another by means of bolts (not shown) extending through holes 116. A tappet 118 is received in the locking housing 115, the tappet extending with a shaft 120 out of the locking housing 115 and being threadably engaged with the shank 34 of the spread component 32.

[0085] The shaft 120 (FIG. 19) comprises a head 122 having four arms 124 disposed at an offset to each other around the circumferential direction of the tappet 120 at 90 degree offsets from one another. Each arm is configured with a slot 126 extending transversely therethrough, whereby the slot extends outwardly from a central region 128 of the shaft 120 and extends at an incline outwardly so that, in total, a concave floor surface 130 and a corresponding convex cover surface 132 are formed. The inclination angle of the slot 126 forms an angle of, for example, approximately 4 degrees with the horizontal.

[0086] The height of the slots 196 and the width of the arms 124 are selected such that a ball 134 travels in a slot with play, as the ball passes sideways over the slot or, respectively, the arm.

[0087] The housing halves 112 and 114 are configured with recesses such that a hollow space 136 for receipt of the tappet 118 is formed in the locking housing 115, the hollow space having, in horizontal section (FIG. 23) somewhat the configuration of the head 122 of the tappet 118 and having, in vertical section (FIG. 22), a configuration corresponding to that of the side of the tappet 118, whereby the vertical dimension of the hollow space 136 is greater than that of the arm 124. The walls of the hollow space 136 are provided with grooves 138 such that the slots 126 of the tappet 118 extend through the grooves in a pre-determined installation position of the tappet 118 within the housing 112, 114 to an extent such that, in the assembled-together condition of the housing with the tappet received therein, the ball 134 extends sidewise into the groove 138 such that a vertical relative movement between the tappet and the housing is blocked. This blocking can only then be lifted once the ball 134 is disposed in the middle of the tappet 122—that is, on the base of the concave floor surface 130. In this condition, the ball 134 held in the tappet 122 can move vertically relative to the locking housing 115, in that it travels along a longitudinal downwardly extending recess 140 at which the groove 138 terminates at its cross section.

[0088] The function of the locking device 110 corresponds basically to that of the already-described function of the locking device 50. The locking housing 115 is, as is the housing 52 of the locking device 50, rigidly maintained to the housing 2 by the connector group at least in the vertical direction. The tappet 118 is threadably engaged with the shank 34 of the spread component 32 by, for example, threaded engagement of its end region. The region in which the shaft 120 extends into the locking housing 115, is sealed off via a bellows 142 (FIG. 20) which encloses the shaft 120 and a flange 144 of the locking housing 115.

[0089] During vertical orientation of the tappet 122, the ball 134 is disposed in the central region 134, so that a vertical relative movement between the tappet 122 and the locking housing 115 is possible. The position of the groove 138 is such that the groove 138 coincides with the middle of the slot 126, once the condition shown in FIG. 9 is reached—that is, the condition in which the two corner fittings 64 and 68 which are to be interconnected are rigidly interconnected with one another via the connector group and—via the flange 4—are stacked on one another. If the vertical position as shown in FIG. 9 is maintained, then, in connection with a lifting of the upper corner fitting 64, the locking housing 115 moves, together with the housing 2, the entire connector group along with the lifting movement, whereby the tappet 118 and the locking housing 115 are released to move relatively to one another so that the spread component 32, which is retained by the stop element 8, moves relative to the housing 2 downwardly and thereby releases the locking slides 13 for inward movement so that the connector group can move outwardly of the lower corner fitting 68.

[0090] If the arrangement is tipped about a horizontal axis out of the position shown in FIG. 9, the ball 134 moves according to the respective tipping axis in a respective one of the slot 126 and the groove 138 respectively associated therewith, whereby this movement is facilitated by the correspondingly rounded-off transition region 134 (FIG. 23). As soon as the ball 134 is disposed in a slot 126, the capability for relative movement between the tappet 118 and the locking housing 115 is locked out, so that, upon a lifting of the upper corner fitting 64, the stop element 8 is released from engagement with the floor 72 of the lower corner fitting 68 and the locking slides 13 are not released to move, whereby the corner fittings 64 and 68 remain interconnected.

[0091] The described embodiment of the locking device 110 can be modified in many ways. For example, the tappet 118 can be configured with three arms or with a different number of arms. The relative movement which occurs further between the tappet 118 and, thereby, the lock housing 115, need not necessarily be made possible by a recess 140 in the locking housing 115. Instead of the recess 140, the head 122 of the tappet 118 can be configured with a central projection 146 in its central region (FIG. 24), in which the cut-out section of the slot 126 continues upwardly, so that a vertical, longitudinal hole-type slot 148 is configured in which a ball 134 retained in the groove 138 can dip into upon an upward movement of the locking housing 115 and, in this manner, release the tappet and locking housing for relative movement therebetween.

[0092] A further embodiment of the inventive connector group is described with reference to FIGS. 25-32. To the extent that already used reference numerals have been used, these are used for the components or, respectively, the component groups, which are identical in their function or similar in their function with the component groups already described or, respectively, the components, so that this structure is not again described.

[0093] In contrast to the connector group shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, no tappet-type stop element 8 projects outwardly from the underside of the likewise two-shell configured housing 2 of the instant embodiment. The stop element of the instant embodiment is to a much larger degree configured as a projection lever 150, which is mounted on a bolt 152 itself secured to the housing in a manner such that the projection lever with a projection surface 154 projects downwardly from the underside of the flange 4. The projection lever 150 comprises an inclined surface for receipt thereon of a corresponding inclined surface of a slide 156, which is guided in the housing 2 for displacement movement relative thereto. A threaded spring 158 is disposed between the housing 2 and the slide 156 which displaces the slide to the left as viewed in FIG. 27.

[0094] The slide, which has an overall Z-shaped configuration when viewed from the side, is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 29 and comprises two side arms 159 having holes 160 in which take along pins 162 extending from below are secured.

[0095] The shank of the slide 156 turned away from the projection lever 150 comprises a projection surface 164 which is configured with a recess 166 whose function is described in more detail hereinafter.

[0096] A locking component 170 is swingably and displaceably mounted in the housing 2 by means of a bolt 168, which is secured to the housing, in that the bolt 168 extends through the longitudinal hole 172 (FIG. 28) of the locking component 170. The height of the locking component 170 is selected in correspondence with the height of the corresponding openings 174 in the opposed sides of the housing 2 (FIG. 25).

[0097] A locking device is received in a recess of the housing 2 and is rigidly connected with a locking housing 180, which is described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32 as follows:

[0098] The locking housing 180 comprises an upper component 184 and a lower component 186 in which a tappet 188 is displaceably guided. The tappet 188 includes a shaft 190 and a head 192. The upper side of the head 192 is configured with a concave surface having a center toward which a ball 196, which is configured as a mass body, moves under its own power in the vertical position of the tappet 188.

[0099] The inner side 198 of the upper component 184 turned toward the tappet is correspondingly configured in correspondence with the concave surface 194 with a convex surface and comprises a recess 200. A spring 202 is disposed between the tappet 188 and the upper component 184.

[0100] In the assembled together condition of the locking device 182, in which the upper component 184 and the lower component 186 are rigidly connected to one another by, for example, threaded engagement, adhesion, or other securement means, and in which the shaft 190 extends downwardly from the housing 180, the distance between the concave surface 194 and the inner side 198 corresponds approximately to the diameter of the ball 196 so that the ball can move into the intermediate space between the concave surface 194 and the inner side 198 if the locking device 182 undergoes a sidewise acceleration or the locking device is tipped out of a vertical position. In this manner, a movement of the tappet 188 upwardly is locked out. If the ball 196, in contrast, is disposed in the center or, respectively, the middle, of the concave surface 194, the tappet 188 can be pressed upwardly against the force of the spring 202, whereby the ball 196 moves into the recess 200.

[0101] The illustrated locking device can be deployed for various applications so that protection for the locking device is called for.

[0102] The assembly of the afore-described connector group is as follows:

[0103] The projection lever 150 is disposed with the aid of the bolt 152 in one of the housing shells. The locking device is disposed in the corresponding recess of one of the housing shells. Likewise, the slide 156 is mounted in coordination with the spring 158, whereby the take along pin 162 extends into the longitudinal hole 172 of the installed locking component 170. The housing shells are interconnected to one another by means of the screws 11. The bolts 168 are guided from below upwardly through corresponding openings to position the locking component 170 in the housing, whereby the bolts are extended through the longitudinal holes of the already installed locking component 170.

[0104] In the release condition, the slide 156 is pushed to the left, as viewed in FIG. 27, by the spring 158 to an extent such that the projection lever 150 is tipped or tilted in the clockwise direction and comes into engagement with a projection of the housing. The locking component 170 is then in a position, as can be understood from FIG. 30, in which it is in an inwardly swung position with reference to FIG. 30, with its outer surface extending in contour-following flush manner along the contour of the housing 2, so that the locking component 170 does not project out of the housing. The bolt 188 is displaced outwardly through the projection surface 164 of the slide 156 so that the ball 196 is disposed in the recess 200.

[0105] If the housing 2 of the connector group in this condition is guided in a longitudinal hole of a corner fitting (compare FIGS. 8 and 9), the projection lever 150 moves into engagement with the upper side of a corner fitting and is swung in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 27. In this manner, the slide 156 is moved toward the right, whereby the locking component 170 is swung outwardly of the housing 2 and under grips the edge of the longitudinal hole in a manner similar to that by which the locking slide 13 operates in the previously described embodiments, so that two corner fittings are rigidly interconnected to one another in a manner corresponding to that of the previously described embodiment. Via a displacement of the slide 156 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 27, the recess 166 moves out of the illustrated intermediate position further to the right so that the shaft 190 extends fully into the recess, whereby the depth of the recess is selected such that the tappet 188 extends into its deepest position in which the ball 196 can move outwardly out of the center of the concave surface 194 in order to lock out an outward movement of the tappet 188. Upon a tipping of the locking device 182 out of the vertical position or upon a sidewise acceleration, an outward movement of the tappet 188 is likewise locked out, whereby, due to its engagement in the recess 166, a displacement of the slide 156 is locked out and the two components to be interconnected by the illustrated connector group remain securely interconnected with one another. If the ball 196, in contrast, is disposed in the center of the concave surface 194 and the housing 2 is lifted upwardly, the slide 156 can be pushed by means of the force of the spring 158 through a swing movement of the projection lever 150 in the clockwise direction, which is selected such that the movement overcomes the force of the spring 202 of the locking device and pushes the tappet 188 upwardly to the left with assistance of a suitable inclination of the wall of the recess 166. In this manner, the locking component 170 is swung into the housing so that the housing 2 can be removed from the longitudinal hole.

[0106] It is to be understood that the bolt 168 and the locking component 170, as well as their respective guides, are dimensioned relative to the openings 174 of the housing 2 such that the locking component can handle a high force thereupon upon the application of a pulling force on the hammer head.

[0107] The illustrated embodiments can be modified in numerous ways. For example, the hammer head 6 can be replaced by a securement piece by which the housing 2 can be directly secured to, for example, a chassis or a frame. Moreover, the entire arrangement can be turned such that the components to be interconnected to one another via the connector group such as, for example, fittings, are fastened or secured to one another in a sidewise manner, whereby the locking device such as, for example, the locking device 182, is arranged such that it assumes a release position in a vertical orientation as well as in a position free of the application of a sidewise force.

[0108] There are several possibilities for turning of the hammer head 6 out of its release position, in which the connector group can be disposed in an upper container or into a lock position, in which the connector group can be retained in the upper container. The turning of the hammer head can be manually effected by hand, in that, for example, the locking position is the normal position and the hammer head 14 can be pulled via the hand grip 10 against the spring force into a release position. The movement of the hammer head 14 into its locking position can also be automatically effected, in that, for example, an additional lever or button is arranged on the upper side of the flange 4, which is moved by a container disposed thereonto from above, whereby, via the movement of the lever or button, the hammer head 14 is moved from its locking position into its release position. The movement out of the locking position into the release position can alternatively be effected by the assistance of the hand grip 10. In a still further modified embodiment, the locking of the hammer head 14 can follow in common with the movement of the locking component, in that, for example, the take along pins 162 of the slide are extended upwardly and extend into the hollow space 20, where they engages the flange 22 of the hammer head 6 (FIG. 3) in a manner such that the hammer head 6 is turned in coordination with a displacement of the slide.

[0109] In a further modified embodiment, the flange 4 of the housing can be elongated and two adjacently arranged housings of the connector groups can be rigidly interconnected with one another so that, via the introduction of the housing into such a double connector group arrangement in adjacently disposed containers, the adjacent containers are also rigidly interconnected with one another.

[0110] A further embodiment of an inventive connector group is described with reference to FIGS. 33-38, which has the same basic configuration as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 27. The same reference numerals are used for the same function identical components.

[0111] The housing 2 of the connector group is not, in the illustrated example, provided with a completely fully extending flange, as is the case with the previously described housings, but is, instead, provided with a flange 4 having only a side projection, in which the projection lever 150 is disposed in a manner such that it projects over the flange 4. An inclined surface of the slide 156, which cooperates with the projection lever 150, is, as seen in FIG. 33, configured upwardly to the left of the slide. The slide 156 applies force via a tappet 210, which engages in a recess of the slide 156 and in recess eccentrically disposed on the flange 22 of the hammer head 6, the slide 156 working in coordination with the hammer head 6 so that the hammer head 6, in coordination with a displacement of the slide, is turned. The hammer head 6 corresponds in its function as well as the locking component 170 to the embodiment shown in FIG. 27.

[0112] Side projecting noses 212 are disposed in the lower region of the housing 2 and are engaged in recesses 214 which are configured on the inner sides of the previously described fittings 218 corresponding with corner fittings. A spring 220 disposed interiorly in the interior space 219 of the corner connector fitting 218 engages the underside of the housing 2, the spring 220 being supported against the floor 224 of the connector fitting 218, the floor 224 having drain openings 222, and pushes the housing 2 of the connector group outwardly as viewed in the figures of the drawings, whereby a projection of the noses 212 on the upper end of the recesses 214 limits the upward movement of the housing 2.

[0113] The function of the connector group is such that, upon the disposition of, for example, a lower corner fitting of a container onto the upper side of the corner connector fitting 218, the projection lever 150 is turned in the clockwise direction and thereby displaces the slide 156 so that the hammer head 6 is turned into the locking position as shown in FIG. 34 in which it under grips a not-illustrated upper corner fitting having a longitudinal hole, as has been described with the previously described embodiments.

[0114] As seen in FIG. 35, the noses 212, which maintain the housing 2 in a non-removable disposition on the fittings 218, are configured on all four sides of the housing 2.

[0115] The function of the spring 220 is to make possible the movement of the housing 2 in its entirety into the connector fitting 218, if the hammer head 6, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 36, or the upper side of the housing 2 extending over the hammer head, is subjected to a force from above. The spring 220 is in this regard is designed to be stronger than the spring 158 such that the housing 2, during a swinging movement of the projection lever 150, in which frictional force and the force of the spring 158 must be overcome, is not moved into the connector fitting 218.

[0116] FIG. 37 shows a connector group 225 of the illustrated type in perspective view. FIG. 38 shows the connector group 225 deployed in the connector fitting 218. The connector fitting 218 is assembled together from two components 226, 228 which are, after the deployment of the connector group 225, rigidly interconnected to one another.

[0117] The advantages of the illustrated connector group 225 are achieved, for example, as follows, with reference being had to FIG. 39:

[0118] Connector fittings 218 are secured at predetermined locations by, for example, welding on the longitudinal carrier 230 which is, for example, a railroad wagon or another conventional transport platform. Connector groups 225 are deployed in the fittings 218. In the illustrated example, a forty foot container 232 is disposed on the longitudinal carrier, the corner fittings of the container, as have been described hereinabove, being reliably interconnected with the corners of the fittings 218 disposed thereunder. The fittings 218 in the middle of the configuration shown in FIG. 39 are configured such that they do not correspond to any corner fitting of the forty foot containers but, instead, correspond to the corner fittings of twenty foot containers, which can be transported in lieu of the forty foot containers 232. In connection with the transport of forty foot containers, the connector groups 225 deployed in the middle fittings 218 extend into the fittings, as shown in FIG. 36, so that no manual manipulation of the forty foot containers or twenty foot containers during loading and removal as well as during transport movement can occur.

[0119] The illustrated connector group 225 can be modified in numerous ways. For example, the noses 212 can be displaced in a single direction against the spring force, so that, in the configuration of the connector fitting 218 with suitable holes, the noses are displaced into the housing 2 and can be removed from the connector fitting 218. Furthermore, the noses can be configured such that they can be moved with the assistance of a tool in a manner similar to that of a lock in the housing. The fitting can be configured as a single piece.

[0120] FIG. 40 shows the deployment of the inventive connector groups on a railroad wagon whose loading platform is provided with joints 234 on which the connector groups 225 are secured, in a manner similar to those illustrated in connection with FIG. 37. The housing of each connector group can be deployed in a corresponding hole formed in the respective lid, whereby the noses 212 are elastically resiliently biased to move in a return direction and the housing is aligned with the lids (the housing of the connector group is then provided with a corresponding flange). In coordination with a lid 234 in its raised position, the connector group 225 is in its operational ready position for automatic locking and release with a container. In the swung-out position of the lid 234, the connector group does not stand in the way of a correspondingly configured hole of the container. Via the lids 234, which can, alternatively, be welded with the housing of the connector group, it is achieved that the arrangement of the connector group, which is displaceable against the spring force, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 36, is no longer required.

[0121] There are numerous modifications of the illustrated embodiment of the connector groups. Individual features of the illustrated embodiments can be combined with one another in various ways. The entire connector group can, for example, by turning through 90 degrees and corresponding other orientations of the locking device, also be used for an interconnection of components which are arranged in side by side manner to one another. The openings, through which the connector groups are deployable, need not necessarily be longitudinal holes; they can, however, be any suitable non-annular holes or even annular holes which can be under gripped.

[0122] FIG. 41 shows a schematic view of a variation of, for example, the connector group shown in FIGS. 33 - 38, taken along a transverse sectional view of, for example, a railroad wagon. The upper end region 3 of the housing 2 which extends in its entirety to the longitudinal hole 66 of the corner fitting 64, is configured in its middle region with a reduced mass relative to the longitudinal hole 66 and expands outwardly toward its upper end, so that only an upper edge 236 is substantially uniformly dimensioned as is the longitudinal hole 66. In this manner, it is achieved, during a transverse movement of the corner fitting 64 in the direction of the horizontal double arrow such as, for example, upon passage through curves, that the edge of the longitudinal hole 66 moves into engagement with an upwardly enlarging inclined surface 238 of the end region 3, which works against a tipping of the corner fitting 64 or, respectively, the associated container, in the direction of the arcuate-segement shaped double arrow.

[0123] FIG. 42 shows an example of a connector group corresponding, for example, to that of FIG. 15, with an upper view of an upper corner fitting of a container in which the hammer head extends. The housing 2 of this connector group is disposed underneath the flange 4 for use, for example, on a ship, on which the not-illustrated corner fitting of an upper container is disposed, with reduced cross section. If, for example, a storm blows from the left hand side as viewed in FIG. 42, the upper container and the connector group associated therewith are displaced toward the right, so that the under edge of the upper side of the lower container having a lower corner fitting 68 comes into engagement with the inclined surface 238. As a result of this engagement, the housing 2 of the connector group, which is locked with limited play in the lower corner fitting 68, cannot move upwardly relative to the lower corner fitting, which reinforces the stability of the interconnected containers.

Reference Numeral List

[0124] 2 housing

[0125] 3 end region

[0126] 4 flange

[0127] 6 hammer head

[0128] 8 projection or stop element

[0129] 10 hand grip

[0130] 11 screw

[0131] 12 through opening

[0132] 13 locking slide

[0133] 14 head

[0134] 16 lower shell

[0135] 18 uppershell

[0136] 20 hollow space

[0137] 21 innerspace

[0138] 22 flange

[0139] 24 rotation spring

[0140] 26 through channel

[0141] 30 through opening

[0142] 31 hole

[0143] 32 spread component

[0144] 34 shank

[0145] 36 spread component or piece

[0146] 38 inclined surface

[0147] 40 projection

[0148] 46 inclined surface

[0149] 48 guide projection

[0150] 50 locking device

[0151] 52 housing

[0152] 54 band

[0153] 56 spring

[0154] 58 securement location

[0155] 59 spring

[0156] 60 magnet

[0157] 64 corner fitting

[0158] 66 longitudinal hole

[0159] 68 corner fitting

[0160] 70 longitudinal hole

[0161] 72 floor

[0162] 74 guides

[0163] 76 shaft

[0164] 78 disk

[0165] 80 tooth structure

[0166] 82 locking tappet

[0167] 84 lever

[0168] 88 inertia mass

[0169] 92 spring

[0170] 94 spring

[0171] 96 projection

[0172] 98 inclined surface

[0173] 100 inclined surface

[0174] 102 inclined surface

[0175] 103 recess

[0176] 103 raised cams

[0177] 110 locking device

[0178] 112 housing half

[0179] 114 housing half

[0180] 115 locking housing

[0181] 116 hole

[0182] 118 tappet

[0183] 120 shaft

[0184] 122 head

[0185] 124 arm

[0186] 126 slot

[0187] 128 central region

[0188] 130 floor surface

[0189] 132 cover surface

[0190] 134 ball

[0191] 136 hollow space

[0192] 138 groove

[0193] 140 recess

[0194] 142 bellows

[0195] 144 transition region

[0196] 146 projection

[0197] 148 slot

[0198] 150 projection lever

[0199] 152 bolts

[0200] 154 projection surface

[0201] 156 slide

[0202] 158 spring

[0203] 159 arm

[0204] 160 hole

[0205] 162 take along pin

[0206] 164 support surface

[0207] 166 recess

[0208] 168 bolts

[0209] 170 locking components

[0210] 172 longitudinal hole

[0211] 174 openings

[0212] 180 locking housing

[0213] 182 locking device

[0214] 184 upper piece

[0215] 186 lower piece

[0216] 188 tappet

[0217] 190 shaft

[0218] 192 head

[0219] 194 concave surface

[0220] 196 ball

[0221] 198 inner side

[0222] 200 recess

[0223] 202 spring

[0224] 210 tappet

[0225] 212 nose

[0226] 214 recess

[0227] 218 fitting

[0228] 219 innerspace

[0229] 220 spring

[0230] 222 drain opening

[0231] 226 piece

[0232] 228 piece

[0233] 230 longitudinal carrier

[0234] 232 container

[0235] 234 lid

[0236] 236 edge

[0237] 238 inclined surface

Claims

1. A self-locking and self-releasing connector group for connecting two components, at least one of which comprises an undercut hole for partial insertion or introduction of the connector group and which is preferably a corner fitting of a sea freight container, comprising

a housing (2),

at least one locking component (13, 170, 6) movably mounted in the housing (2), which is movable between a release position and a locking position,

a stop element (8, 150) movably mounted on the housing, whereby a component (64, 218) is mounted on the housing and, in the release position of the locking component during movement of two components (64, 68, 218, 232) to be interconnected to one another, is insertable through the hole of the other component (86, 232), the stop element during further movement of the components to be interconnected toward one another moving relative to the housing and thereby moving the locking component out of its release position into its locking position in which it undergrips the longitudinal hole, so that the components to be interconnected are interconnected to one another, and

a locking device (50, 110, 182) which locks out a movement of the components interconnected to one another out of their locked together position into a release position in connection with a movement of the locking components (13, 170, 6) in which they are accelerated outwardly beyond a predetermined degree and/or are moved out of a rest position.

2. A connector group according to claim 1, whereby the locking device (182) comprises two movable components (188, 180) movable relative to one another and an inertia mass (196), which blocks the capability of the components to move relative to one another, in the event that the locking device is subjected to a horizontal sliding component and/or the locking device is tipped about a horizontal axis out of a normal position.

3. A connector group according to claim 2, whereby the locking device (182) comprises a locking housing (180) in which a head (192) of a tappet (188), which is displaceably guided in the locking house, is received, the head having an upper side (194) configured such that a ball (196), which acts as an inertia mass, is disposed in a deepest point in the center of the over side during vertically upright orientation of the locking device in which the locking device is not subject to any sidewise force and the ball (196) moves out of its deepest position in correspondence with a tipping of the locking device and/or a sidewise acceleration, and a counter surface (198) in the housing disposed in opposition to the outer side (194) of the head and being configured such that it cooperates with the ball (196) to effect a locking out of movement in the event of a movement of the head in the direction toward the counter surface.

4. A connector group according to claim 1, whereby the locking device (50) comprises a rotatable shaft (76) onto which a band (54) is wound up, the band (54) cooperating with the stop element and comprising a locking mechanism (80, 82) which locks out the capability of the shaft (76) to rotate during the occurrence of predetermined operational conditions.

5. A connector group according to one of claims 1-4, whereby the stop element (8, 50), moves, during movement of the components (64, 68) to be interconnected to one another toward one another, the locking component (13, 170) out of an interconnecting position into a locking position extending sidewise out of the housing.

6. A connector group according to one of claims 1-6, whereby the housing (2) comprises a hammerhead (6) disposed on a rear side thereof in a rotatably mounted disposition, the hammerhead being displaceable into a corresponding longitudinal hole (66) in one of the components (64) to be interconnected to one another, whereby a turning of the hammerhead acts to secure the housing thereto, and the hammerhead being turnable to assume an undergrip position in the longitudinal hole.

7. A connector group according to one of claims 1-6, whereby the stop element (150), during movement of the components (218, 232) to be interconnected to one another, turns the locking component (6), which is rotatably mounted on the rear side of the housing (2), into a locking position.

8. A connector group according to claim 7, whereby the locking component is configured as a hammerhead (6).

9. A connector group according to claim 7 or 8, whereby at least a portion of the housing to be inserted into the hole (170) of one of the components (218) to be interconnected to one another extends into the hole and undergrips the hole and is displaceable against the force of a spring during further movement into a hollow space (219) behind the longitudinal hole.

10. A connector group according to one of claims 1-9, whereby the housing (2) comprises a flange (4) for engagement on an outermost rear surface of at least one of the components to be interconnected to one another and the stop element (150) is mounted on the housing in a manner such that it is movable out of a position extending over one of the flanges into a position in which it is substantially flush with the flange.

11. A connector group according to one of claims 1-8, whereby the components (64, 68) to be moved toward one another to thereby interconnect to one another engage a flange (4) on one of the housings (2) in opposed manner.