---
title: "cam keeper: Definition and Meaning | NPSA"
description: "A cam keeper is a steel bracket on the top and bottom of a container door frame. The cam on the locking bar sits in it."
url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cam-keeper
publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA)
phone: "(816) 960-6552"
email: info@npsa.org
---

Container parts

# cam keeper

A cam keeper is a steel bracket on the top and bottom of a container door frame. The cam on the locking bar sits in it. When the bar turns, the cam locks into the keeper and holds the door closed.

## Why it matters

A cam keeper is a small part with a big job. Each keeper catches a cam on a locking bar. If a keeper is worn, bent or broken, the bar may slip and the door may not close tight. Operators fix these during repairs and refurbishing. A common mistake is to replace the locking bar and leave a worn keeper in place. The new bar still does not close right. Check keepers for cracks, bent plates and weak welds, and make sure they line up with the bars. Cam keepers are usually welded to the door frame, so repair needs a welder.

[Read: Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/container-sizes-and-dimensions)

Definition source: [containerhandbuch.de](https://www.containerhandbuch.de/chb_e/stra/stra_03_01_00.html)

## Related terms

[### door locking bar A door locking bar is a vertical steel rod on a container door. It turns in cam keepers at the top and bottom of the frame to lock the door tight and compress the gasket. Each door normally has one or two bars.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/door-locking-bar)[### cargo door A cargo door is one of the two hinged steel doors at the end of a standard shipping container. The doors close on rubber gaskets and lock with vertical locking bars. They are the main way in and out of a container.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cargo-door)[### door gasket A door gasket is the rubber seal around the cargo door opening of a container. It presses against the closed doors to keep out rain, snow and dust. Parts lists describe it as a seal gasket. A worn gasket is a common cause of leaks.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/door-gasket)[### hasp A hasp is a hinged metal strap with a slot. It folds over a staple or loop and takes a padlock. On a container, the hasp on the door handle locks the locking bar in place. Standard ISO hasps are common.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/hasp)[### container repair Container repair is work that fixes damage to a container, such as holes, dents, floors and doors. The IICL repair manual says the purpose of any repair is to restore structural integrity so the container can work safely in intermodal transport. Methods include straightening, welding, patching, inserting and replacing parts.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/container-repair)[### container inspection A container inspection is a check of a container's outside, inside, doors, floor and roof for damage, leaks and wear. Buyers do it before purchase. Operators do it when units go out and come back. It can be a quick look or a formal review to a standard.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/container-inspection)

[All 220 terms](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary)

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