Gap compression guides for shipping containers

Abstract

In order to prevent relative movement between two shipping containers located in two adjacent columns of a stack of containers on a cargo ship and separated by a gap, a compression guide is placed at least partially in the gap. The compression guide includes a spacer, one or more attachment mechanisms suitable for partial insertion into a hole in a casting of a container or flat rack, and an interface. The spacer or the interface are preferably shaped to provide two adjacent contact surfaces angled at a lead-in angle so that one of the two adjacent contact surfaces can be used to adjust placement of the compression guide or one of the two shipping containers. Optionally, the width of the spacer can be adjusted, either remotely or manually

1 . A method of stabilizing shipping containers stored on a cargo ship, wherein all the shipping containers are located between a first wall of shipping containers stacked at a starboard side of the cargo ship and a second wall of shipping containers stacked at a port side of the cargo ship, the method comprising:
 placing a compression guide at least partially in a gap separating two adjacent columns of a stack of containers on a cargo ship, the compression guide including:
 a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the spacer having a width between the first side and the second side; and 
 one or more attachment mechanisms suitable for partial insertion into a hole in a casting of a container; each of the one or more attachment mechanisms being located on the first side and connected to the spacer; 
   coupling a first end of a first lashing to the first wall;   connecting a second end of the first lashing to a lashing bridge or a deck of the cargo ship so that the first lashing is oriented from the first wall downward and toward the second wall;   coupling a first end of a second lashing to the second wall;   connecting a second end of the second lashing to the lashing bridge or the deck of the cargo ship so that the second lashing is oriented from the second wall downward and toward the first wall;   applying tension to the first lashing and the second lashing; and   pre-loading the compression guide when tension is applied.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer or an interface located on the second side and connected to the spacer are shaped to provide two adjacent contact surfaces angled at a lead-in angle, the method further comprising using one of the two adjacent contact surfaces to adjust placement of the compression guide or one of the two shipping containers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compression guide further comprises an elastomer interface located on the second side and connected to the spacer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms includes:
 a flat rack; and   a plurality of twist locks.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the compression guide is placed at least partially in the gap separating the two adjacent columns by a downward, vertical movement. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the width of the spacer is fixed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compression guide comprises fewer than two attachment mechanisms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compression guide comprises two attachment mechanisms spaced apart to simultaneously engage a top and a bottom of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the spacer is fixed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compression guide is placed at least partially in the gap separating the two adjacent columns by a downward, vertical movement. 
     
     
         11 . A compression guide for placing at least partially in a gap between two shipping containers located in two adjacent columns of a stack of containers on a cargo ship, the compression guide comprising:
 a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the spacer having a width between the first side and the second side, wherein the width of the spacer is fixed; and   one or more attachment mechanisms suitable for partial insertion into a hole in a casting of a container; each of the one or more attachment mechanisms being located on the first side and connected to the spacer;   wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms includes a flat rack and a plurality of twist locks.