Importance

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Abstract

A construction component has a plurality of male and female lock assemblies for engagement with female and male lock assemblies of a similar construction component for locking the two components together. The male lock assemblies are arranged in vertical tandem pairs, as are the female lock assemblies. Each of the male lock assemblies includes a rigid pin which is reciprocable with respect to the component between an advanced position and a retracted position. Each female lock assembly defines a socket opening and includes a transversely reciprocable lock for locking a pin in the socket opening. The male lock assembly includes a similar transversely reciprocable lock adapted to lock the pin in at least one of, and preferably both of, its two positions. The locks of each tandem pair of assemblies are connected for joint movement and are adapted so that, when lowered, the lower lock engages its respective pin before the upper lock engages its pin. The structural component is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped with gross dimensions corresponding to those of a standard freight container. All parts of the lock assemblies are retained against separation and are designed to lie generally within such gross dimensions, so as not to interfere with handling of the construction component in the manner of a standard freight container.

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First Claim