Deck container restraint apparatus and process

Abstract

A deck container restraint system is disclosed which unitizes discrete containers against vertical movement in modules of three-wide, typically four-high stacks or columns to prevent overboard loss due to static and dynamic load conditions experienced at sea. A three-wide, one-high bottom tier of containers is secured against side to side and vertical movement by deck cones having locking devices. The overlying three-wide second tier is secured against side to side and vertical movement by cones having locking devices at the top of the first tier. Finally the three-wide, two-high top third and fourth tiers of containers are loaded, first by being tied vertically together by cones having locking devices and second, by being lifted in vertically tied pairs onto stacking fittings at the second-third tier interface. The stacking fittings restrain side to side movement at the second-third tier interface only. Upon completion of placement of the third and fourth tier, an equalizing spreader fits over the top of the three-wide, four-high container columns or stacks, restraining relative vertical and horizontal movement between the corners of adjacent containers. By providing for remote fastening of the equalizer to the top of the three-wide, four-high module, container restraint against dynamic loadings commonly experienced at sea can occur without conventional horizontal or vertical ties. Provision is made to expand the module to container columns on either side if additional equalizer spreaders are used.