Locking system

Abstract

A locking system includes a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism and a handle. The first locking mechanism includes a base and an attachment structure movable relative to the base, the base of the first locking mechanism removably attachable to a first structure, The second locking mechanism includes an opening to receive the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism to be attached to the first attachment structure upon movement of the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is attachable to a second structure. The handle is operable to move the attachment structure movable relative to the base to attach the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking system, comprising:
 a first locking mechanism including a base and an attachment structure movable relative to the base, the base of the first locking mechanism configured to be removably attached to a first structure;   a second locking mechanism including an opening configured to receive the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism configured to be attached to the first attachment structure upon movement of the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism configured to be attached to a second structure;   a handle operable to move the attachment structure movable relative to the base to attach the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure.   
     
     
         2 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is a locking bar configured to be moved generally in a plane to cause the first locking mechanism to engage the second locking mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The locking system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first locking mechanism is a one of a plurality of first locking mechanisms on the first barge section. 
     
     
         4 . The locking system according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking bar is configured to simultaneously engage each of the plurality of first locking mechanisms to cause the attachment structure of each of the first plurality of locking mechanisms to move relative to a respective base of each of the first plurality of locking mechanisms. 
     
     
         5 . The locking system according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of first locking mechanisms are disposed in a vertical direction relative to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to rotate the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism to attach the first locking mechanism to the second locking mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The locking system according to  claim 2 , wherein the opening in the second locking mechanism includes a chamfered edge to facilitate attachment of the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure. 
     
     
         8 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism is a protrusion configurated to be positioned in a locked state and an unlocked state, in the unlocked state, the protrusion is configured to pass through an opening in the second locking mechanism and in the locked state the protrusion is configured to engage a rear surface of the second locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The locking system according to  claim 8 , wherein the locked position of the protrusion in the locked state is 90 degrees offset from the unlocked position of the protrusion in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         10 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second structure is a shipping container. 
     
     
         11 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first structure is a floatable barge section. 
     
     
         12 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure is tapered to facilitate attachment of the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure. 
     
     
         13 . The locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure is a first attachment structure and the first locking mechanism includes a second attachment structure. 
     
     
         14 . The locking system according to  claim 13 , wherein the second attachment structure is configured to couple the first locking mechanism to the first structure and the first attachment structure is configured to couple the first locking mechanism to the second structure. 
     
     
         15 . The locking system according to  claim 14 , wherein the handle is configured to be moved to cause the second attachment structure to couple the first locking mechanism to the first structure and further moved to cause the first attachment structure to couple to the first locking mechanism to the second structure. 
     
     
         16 . A locking system, comprising:
 a first locking mechanism including a base and a protrusion rotatable relative to the base, the base of the first locking mechanism configured to be removably attached to a first structure, the protrusion configurated to be positioned in a locked state and an unlocked state;   a second locking mechanism including an opening configured to receive the protrusion of the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism configured to be attached to the first attachment structure upon rotation of the protrusion of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism from the unlocked state to the locked state, the second locking mechanism configured to be attached to a second structure; and   a locking bar operable to move the protrusion movable relative to the base to attach the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure.   
     
     
         17 . The locking system according to  claim 16 , wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion and the first locking mechanism includes a second protrusion, the second protrusion configured to couple the first locking mechanism to the first structure and the first protrusion is configured to couple the first locking mechanism to the second structure. 
     
     
         18 . The locking system according to  claim 17 , wherein the locking bar is configured to be moved to cause the second protrusion to couple the first locking mechanism to the first structure and further moved to cause the first protrusion to couple to the first locking mechanism to the second structure. 
     
     
         19 . The locking system according to  claim 16 , wherein the locked position of the protrusion in the locked state is 90 degrees offset from the unlocked position of the protrusion in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a locking system to connect a first structure with a second structure, the method comprising:
 attaching a base of a first locking mechanism to a first structure;   attaching a second locking mechanism to a second structure;   inserting a protrusion of the first locking mechanism through an opening in the second locking mechanism; and   operating a handle to move the protrusion of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism from an unlocked position to a locked position.