IES86900B2 - Transport frame and transport means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport frame for supporting items being transport-ed or stored, characterised in that the transport frame (1) is a lattice-like piece comprising at least four support pieces (2a, 2b) connected to each other; that each support piece (2a, 2b) is an elongated, plate-like piece that has plane surfaces (3a, 3b), longitudinal lateral edges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b), and transverse end edges (6a, 6b), that the lateral edges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) of the support pieces form the bottom surface and top surface of the transport frame (1); and that at the top surface of the transport frame (1), at least some of the lateral edges (5a, 5b) of the support pieces (2a, 2b) are provided with support surfaces (8a, 8b) to support the item arranged on top of the transport frame (1). <Figure 1>

Description

Transport frame and transport means Background of the invention The invention relates to a transport frame for supporting items being transported or stored. The invention further relates to a transport means which comprises a transport platform and a transport frame supported above it.

The field of the invention is described in greater detail in the preambles of the independent claims of the application.

For packing machines, devices, and similar items of various kind for transport and storage, pallets are typically used, on top of which the items are supported by means of different kind of support pieces and fastening means. In the present solutions, drawbacks have been detected as concerns usability, for example.

Brief description of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved transport frame and transport means.

The transport frame of the invention is characterised by what is presented in the characterising portion of the first independent claim.

The transport means of the invention is characterised by what is presented in the characterising portion of the second independent claim.

The idea of the disclosed solution is that the transport frame is a iattice-like piece for supporting transported or stored items. The transport frame comprises four or more support pieces connected to each other, which together form a lattice-like structure. At least some of said support pieces are elongated, plate-like pieces that have plane surfaces, longitudinal lateral edges, and transverse end edges. Said lateral edges of the support pieces form the bottom surface and top surface of the transport frame. Further, at the top surface of the transport frame, at least some of the lateral edges of the support pieces are provided with support surfaces to support the item arranged on top of the transport frame.

One of the benefits of the disclosed solution is that the structure of the transport frame is simple and it may be tailored in a variety or ways for each support need. Due to the lattice-like structure, the structure is firm and, at the same time, light. In addition, due to the lattice structure, there may be free space between the support surfaces to receive outer shapes of the supported items on the portions in between the points of support.

Further, the idea of the disclosed transport means is that the transport means comprises a transport platform and a transport frame arranged to be supported by its top surface. The bottom surface of the transport frame thus acts as a support surface against the top surface of the transport platform, and the top surface of the transport frame on its parts receives and supports the transported or stored item. Further, the transport frame is a lattice-like piece comprising at least four interconnected support pieces, which are elongated, plate-like pieces that have vertical plane surfaces, longitudinal lateral edges, and transverse end edges. At the top surface of the transport frame, at least some of the lateral edges of the support pieces are provided with support surfaces to support the item arranged on top of the transport frame. The top surface of the transport platform further has a plurality of coupling recesses, open at the top, for receiving the lateral edges of the support pieces on the bottom side of the transport frame.

In this application, a plate-like piece of a support frame may comprise, in addition to a solid continuous plate, also a plate having one or more openings. It is furthermore possible that the support pieces may be formed out of a grill plate. Even in such a case, it may be said that the support piece has plane surfaces, lateral edges, and end edges.

The idea of an embodiment is that the plane surfaces of the support pieces are vertical and that there is an open, honeycomb-like space in the space defined by the plane surfaces. A protrusion, surface shape or another portion on the outer surface of a supported item may push its way into this honeycomb-like free space in the vertical direction.

The idea of an embodiment is that the lattice-like transport frame has a greater dimension in the height direction as compared with the wall thickness of the support pieces forming the lattice. In other words, the end edges of the plate-like support pieces have a clearly larger length in the height direction as compared with their transverse wall thickness. The plate-like support pieces may thus be of a relatively thin material, and yet they may together with other support pieces form a firm structure due to the lattice characteristics.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support pieces are separate pieces and connected to each other with a detachable coupling. In such a case, the support pieces may be connected in their place only when needed, whereby the storage and handling of separate support pieces is easy and takes up little space. Correspondingly, the transport frame may be easily dis3 mantled into pieces after items have been transported, and return it, piled into a small size, back to where it was sent or store it for later use. Further, making separate support pieces is fast and simple compared with making a fixed lattice-like structure.

The idea of an embodiment is that between said support pieces there is a comb joint. In such a case, support pieces that are crosswise in relation to each other have first notches and second notches interconnectable in the vertical direction. When said notches or indents are aligned and pushed together in the vertical direction, support pieces joined together will be overlapping at the joining point. The joint guarantees diagonal rigidity without additional fastening. Further, joining support pieces to each other is fast and easy. In addition, making the notches needed in the joint is simple.

The idea of an embodiment is that there is a detachable coupling between the support pieces of a transport frame, which may be opened and closed without tools or separate attachment means. A detachable coupling may thus be based on form locking, which does not require the use of mounting screws, adhesives, or similar. When the assembly and disassembly of the transport frame may be carried out without separate mounting means and tools, it is easy to vary the transport frame for each transport need, and the assembly may be performed just before use, for example.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport frame comprises at least two parallel first support pieces and at least two parallel second support pieces. Said first support pieces and second support pieces are perpendicular to each other and consequently form a lattice-like structure. The first and second support pieces may be of the same or different length. A typical construction comprises two longer first support pieces at a transverse distance from each other, and three or more shorter second support pieces connected to them. The longer first support pieces may comprise three, four or more alternative locations for the shorter second support pieces.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport frame comprises a plurality of first and second support pieces, crosswise in relation to each other. The length of the first support pieces exceeds the length of the second support pieces, whereby the transport frame is substantially rectangular when viewed from above.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport frame comprises a plurality of first and second support pieces, crosswise in relation to each other.

The top-side lateral edges of at least said shorter second support pieces are provided with support surfaces in order to support items. On the other hand, it is also possible to provide the top-side lateral edges of the longer first support pieces with support surfaces to support auxiliary devices, user manuals and accessories related to the supported item or device.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport frame comprises a plurality of first and second support pieces, crosswise in relation to each other. The bottom-side lateral edges of the shorter second support pieces comprise end potions that extend from the end edges all the way to the coupling point of between the first support pieces as well as middle portions on the portion between the coupling points. Said middle portions extend to the side of the bottom surface of the transport frame for a larger distance than the end portions. Further, said end portions comprise planar support surfaces pointing downward, and the middle portion comprises a form surface deviating from a straight line.

The idea of an embodiment is that at least some of the support pieces are provided with form surfaces on their lateral edges on the top surface side, which act as support surfaces receiving items, and the shapes of the lateral edges deviating from a straight line.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support surfaces comprise item-specific form surfaces, formed according to the outer shape of the items, whereby the shape of the top-side lateral edge deviates from a straight line. The supported item may be a machine, device, actuator, machine part or a similar item that has points of supports on its outer surface, and there may be surfaces of different shapes between the points of support.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support surfaces are shaped to receive a rock drilling machine. In other words, the support surfaces are shaped by taking into account the predetermined points of support of the rock drilling machine and arranged at a distance from each other taking into account the shapes of the outer surface of the rock drilling machine. Further, the support pieces and the transport frame formed of them are dimensioned to receive the mass of the rock drilling machine.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support surfaces are shaped to receive a breaking hammer. In such a case, the transport frame is formed by taking into account the points of supports, shapes, and mass of the breaking hammer.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support surfaces are only on the shorter second support pieces.

The idea of an embodiment is that each of the shorter second support pieces comprises support surfaces provided with form surfaces deviating from each other.

The idea of an embodiment is that said support surfaces exist, in addition to the top-side lateral edges, also on the bottom-side lateral edges.

The idea of an embodiment is that at least some of the shorter second support pieces comprise, on their bottom-side lateral edges, recesses for receiving rock drilling equipment. The rock drilling equipment may comprise a drill steel shank, drilling rod, drilling tube, or another drilling tool.

The idea of an embodiment is that said form surface of a support surface comprises one or more recesses, notches, or protrusions.

The idea of an embodiment is that the support pieces of the transport frame are of a flexural rigid material. In such a case, the support piece maintains its original shape during its handling without external support, which facilitates the assembly, disassembly and handling of the transport frame. In addition, a flexurally rigid support piece can withstand large loads, too, without compressing or collapsing when, for example, the supported item is a heavy machine part or device. The support pieces of the transport frame may be formed of a plate-like material the inner basic structure of which is solid and non-fibre material.

The idea of an embodiment is that the support pieces of the transport frame are of a wood material. The advantages of this solution include the ecological nature, light weight, and durability of the wood material. In addition, pieces made of wood may be recycled or disposed of by burning. Also, the availability of wood material is good.

The idea of an embodiment is that the support pieces of the transport frame are of plywood. Plywood is stiff and durable material. Support pieces of various kind may be easily and economically cut and shaped out of a board of plywood. Plywood is clean, easy to work, and very rigid and durable material when taking its weight into account.

The idea of an embodiment is that the top surface of the transport platform comprises a plurality of coupling recesses, crosswise in relation to each other, at predetermined intervals. Each support piece assembled in the transport frame may be adapted in the coupling recesses so that the support pieces are partly inside the coupling recesses. This way, the support pieces stay in place after their vertical installation without separate supports, which makes it easier to assemble the frame.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport platform and the separate support pieces of the transport frame are arranged to form a building system, in which the desired number of support pieces may be connected to the plurality of coupling recesses in the transport platform, said support pieces being provided with support and form surfaces that are similar or different in relation to each other. This means that a user may build a transport frame matching the exact transport need at any given time on the transport platform, out of ready-made support pieces.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport platform is of a liquidproof material and may comprise upward-pointing borders, whereby the transport platform is adapted to form a liquidproof basin under the transport frame. This makes is possible to ensure that liquids or oil possibly leaking out of the transported product do not mess up the outer surface of the packaging and the environment.

The idea of an embodiment is that the top surface of the transport platform has on its longitudinal centre line a chute and transverse support portions on both sides of the chute. Said support portions are provided with longitudinal first coupling recesses for receiving first support pieces of the transport frame and further with transverse second coupling recesses for receiving second support pieces of the transport frame. The centre chute of the transport platform may act as a collecting basin for impurities and liquids that possibly fall from the product in order to collect them in a managed manner to the bottom of the transport platform.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport platform is made of a plastic material. The transport platform may comprise one or more plastic materials and one or more fortifiers. The transport platform may be made by rotational casting, for example. Further, the transport platform may have a shell structure in which there is a hollow space between the shell forming its outer surfaces, which may be empty or filled with a suitable filler. A plastic material allows the forming of light and durable transport platforms with diverse shapes.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport platform comprises at leas one tightening means to couple the item and transport frame against the top surface of the transport platform. Transport means may be, for exam7 pie, tightening bands provided with quick-locking(?) means. The transport platform may comprise coupling loops to which the tightening means may be fastened.

The idea of an embodiment is that the transport platform may be 5 provided with a cover. The top surface of the transport platform may have borders, grooves or similar for positioning the cover and forming a tight coupling between the cover and transport platform. The cover may be a solid piece made of a plastic material, adaptable on top of the transport platform and may thus protect the item supported on top of the transport platform by a support frame.

The idea of an embodiment is that the support pieces of the transport frame comprise a marking system for assembling the frame. The support pieces may be marked with codes that show the user the correct location of each support piece. The codes may be, for example, letter, number, symbol, or colour markings.

Brief description of the figures Some embodiments are explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows schematically support pieces of a transport frame 20 before assembly of the frame, Figure 2 shows schematically an assembled transport frame, Figure 3 shows schematically a transport platform, Figure 4 shows schematically the arranging of a transport frame against the top surface of a transport platform, Figure 5 shows schematically a transport means comprising a transport platform and a transport frame, Figure 6 shows schematically a transport means that is provided with fastening means, Figure 7 shows schematically and greatly simplified a side view of a 30 rock drilling machine supported on top of a transport platform by means of a transport frame, Figure 8 shows a diagram of possible items relating to rock breaking and handling, in the transport and storing of which the solution as the one presented may be applied.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments in a simplified manner. Similar parts are indicated in the figures by the same reference numbers.

Detailed description of some embodiments Figure 1 shows a transport frame 1 prior to assembly and Figure 2 after assembly. The transport frame 1 comprises a plurality of support pieces 2 crosswise in relation to each other, in this case two longer first support pieces 2a and three shorter second support pieces 2b. Obviously, there may be more than two first support pieces 2a and there may be two or more than three second support pieces 2b.

The support pieces 2 are elongated plate-like pieces, and they have vertical plane surfaces 3a, 3b, longitudinal bottom-side lateral edges 4a, 4b, longitudinal top-side lateral edges 5a, 5b and transverse end edges 6a, 6b. The top-side lateral edges 5a of said first support pieces 2a and the bottomside lateral edges 4b of said second support pieces 2b may be provided with coupling notches 7a and 7b, whereby the notches may be arranged in place and push them in the vertical direction one inside the other as seen in Figure 2. Therefore, a simple comb joint may exist between the support pieces 2a, 2b. The comb joint may connect the support piece 2a, 2b perpendicularly in relation to each other, or alternatively the notches and the comb joint may be formed with a desired angular position between the support pieces. Typically, the coupling between the support pieces 2a, 2b is based on form locking, only, in which case adhesives or a screw fastening is not necessarily needed in it. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the plate-like support elements 2a, 2 b are so aligned that their plane surfaces 3a, 3b are vertical in a usage situation, and the top-side lateral edges 5a, 5b point upward.

At least some of the shorter support pieces 2b comprise, on their top side lateral edges 5b, support surfaces 8b against which the transported or stored item may be supported. The support surfaces 8b notches, protrusions, form surfaces, recesses, or combinations thereof. As seen In Figures 1 and 2, for example, the leftmost short support piece has an upward-extending protrusion in the middle of which there is a recess; the centre short support piece has two notches on the borders and in the middle a form surface formed by two plane surfaces on different planes; and further the rightmost short support piece has a notch and plane surfaces on the sides. Figures 1 and 2 further show that the top-side lateral edges 5a of both longer support pieces may have support surfaces 8a. If needed, the bottom-side lateral edges 4a, 4b may have support surfaces 8c. In some cases, the straight lateral edge 5a, 5b may also act as a support surface 8.

The support pieces 2a, 2b may be marked with codes 9 to help the assembly. The assembly direction is indicated with the arrow K in the Figure. The transport frame 1 may be assembled in advance and then positioned as one entirety on the transport platform, or alternatively the support pieces 2a, 2b may be individually installed on the transport platform.

Figure 2 shows that the plane surfaces 3 of the support pieces 2a, 2b transverse in relation to each other define honeycomb-like spaces 10 between them, which are hollow and open upward and downward. The Figure illustrates by a dotted line 11 the fact that the spaces 10 may receive shapes of the outer surface of the supported item between the points of support whereby the item may be partly under the top surface formed by the top-side lateral edges 5a, 5b of the transport frame 1.

The transport platform 12 of Figure 3 comprises a top surface 13 and bottom surface 14 and it may be substantially rectangular when seen from above. The top surface 13 has a plurality of first coupling recesses 15a, open upwards, for receiving first support pieces, as well as a plurality of second coupling recesses 15b, open upward, for receiving second support pieces. Then, the lateral edges at the bottom-side of the support pieces of the transport frame may be pushed in the vertical direction to said coupling recesses 15a, 15b. The first coupling recesses 15a may extend continuously from one end of the transport platform to the other, and the second coupling recesses 15b may consist of one or more recess portions. Further, the top surface 13 of the transport platform 1 may have a chute 16 between the coupling recesses 15a. The chutes 16 and the upward-pointing borders 17 may form a basin on said top surface 13. The bottom surface 14 side of the transport platform 1 may have a space 18 for the lifting means of a means of transport, such as a forklift. Around said space 18 there may be a protrusion or similar bumper 18a to protect the side surfaces of the transport platform 12.

Figures 4 and 5 show a transport means 19 which comprises a transport platform 12 and a transport frame 1 supported to its top surface 13.

The transport frame 1 may be installed on the transport platform 12 in the vertical direction.

Figure 6 shows that the transport platform 12 may be provided with tightening means 20 that may be tightening bands or similar. The top surface 13 or the transport platform 12 may have loops 21 or similar fastening points for the tightening means 20.

Figure 7 shows a transport means 19 for supporting a rock drilling machine 22. The rock drilling machine 22 is supported by means of support pieces 2b which belong to the transport frame 1 and have upward-pointing support surfaces 8b arranged against support surfaces on the rock drilling device. The transport means 19 may also comprise a cover 23. Figure 7 addi10 tionally shows that the support pieces 2a, 2b may comprise a plurality of supplementary coupling recesses 15c, which may find use when the transport frame is assembled for another item. Further, there may be different support pieces 2a, 2b as regards their dimensions and shapes, whereby they may form a building system that allows different kind of transport frames to be assem15 bled for the purpose at hand.

Figure 8 illustrates that the solution set forth in this application is particularly well suited for transporting and storing items of the mining industry, such as machines, devices, and tools meant for rock breaking and postprocessing.

In some cases, features disclosed in this application may be used as such, regardless of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, features disclosed in this application may be combined in order to provide different combinations.

The drawings and their description are intended only to illustrate the idea of the invention. The details of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (7)

Claims

1. A transport frame for supporting items being transported or stored, characterised in that the transport frame (1) is a lattice-like piece comprising at least four support pieces (2a, 2b) connected to each other; that each support piece (2a, 2b) is an elongated, plate-like piece that has plane surfaces (3a, 3b), longitudinal lateral edges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b), and transverse end edges (6a, 6b), that the lateral edges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) of the support pieces form the bottom surface and top surface of the transport frame (1); and that at the top surface of the transport frame (1), at least some of the lateral edges (5a, 5b) of the support pieces (2a, 2b) are provided with support surfaces (8a, 8b) to support the item arranged on top of the transport frame (1).

2. A transport frame as claimed in claim ^characterised in that said support pieces (2a, 2b) are separate pieces and connected to each other with a detachable coupling.

3. A transport frame as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that between said support pieces (2a, 2b) there is a comb joint; and that the comb joint comprises, in the crosswise support pieces (2a, 2b), first notches (7a) and second notches (7b) interconnectable in the vertical direction, whereby the support pieces (2a, 2b) may be arranged to overlap at the joining point.

4. A transport frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport frame (1) comprises at least two parallel first support pieces (2a) and at least two parallel second support pieces (2b); and in that said first support pieces (2a) and second support pieces (2b) are perpendicular to each other and consequently form a lattice-like structure.

5. A transport means that comprises: a transport platform (12) that has a top surface (13) and a bottom surface (14); and 5 a transport frame (1) as claimed in claim 1, the bottom surface of which is supported against the top surface (13) of the transport platform (12) and the top surface of which is arranged to receive the transported or stored item; characterised in

6. 10 that the transport frame (1) is a lattice-like piece comprising at least four interconnected support pieces (2a, 2b), which are elongated, plate-like pieces that have vertical plane surfaces (3a, 3b), longitudinal lateral edges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b), and transverse end edges (6a, 6b); that at the top surface of the transport frame (1), at least some of

7. 15 the lateral edges (5a, 5b) of the support pieces (2a, 2b) are provided with support surfaces (8a, 8b) to support the item arranged on top of the transport frame (1); and that the top surface (13) of the transport platform (12) further has a plurality of coupling recesses (15a, 15b), open at the top, for receiving the lat20 eral edges (4a, 4b) of the support pieces (2a, 2b) on the bottom side of the transport frame (1).