Abstract:
A support arrangement for supporting load in a transportation unit, includes a rod-like support member placed beside the load to support it and two parallel rails in the longitudinal direction of the transportation unit and at a distance from each other. The support member includes support ends for fastening to support points in the transportation unit so that the support member is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transportation unit. Safe and easily implemented support for the load to be transported is achieved by arranging the support member to move along the inner walls of the rails and guided by the inner walls to set it against the load. The support arrangement includes an elongated flexible member and a tightening element for tightening the elongated flexible member against the load so that displacement of the load in relation to the rod-like member is prevented.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of International PCT Application PCT/FI2010/050112, filed on Feb. 19, 2010, which claims priority to Finnish Application No. 20095156 filed on Feb. 19, 2009. The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relate to a support arrangement for supporting load in a transportation unit, such as container or vehicle for transporting load, the support arrangement comprising a rod-like support member and a first and a second rail which forms longitudinal grooves and support points arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rails for receiving the support member at a given support point beside the load to support it, the rod-like support member comprising a first support end for positioning to a first support point in the first rail and a second support end opposite to the first support end for positioning to a second support point in the second rail so that the rod-like support member is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the transportation unit. 
     This type of support arrangement is known from publication DE 3331348 A1. The wall structure of the rails of the support arrangement has been provided with several openings in order to receive the rod-like support member and lock it into given spots of the rails. A problem with the support arrangement is that it cannot support and tighten the load to be supported in such a way to avoid harmful displacements of the load to be supported, if the transportation unit moves back and forth during transportation. Harmful displacements include here typically such displacements or movements which cause the load to overturn and which bring about large impact loads on the rod-like support member. The support arrangement does not enable to position and lock the rod-like support member against the load, on both sides of the load in such a way that the load would be supported substantially without clearance by both support member simultaneously. Even a small gap or clearance between the support members and the load causes great loads on both the support members and the load if the load moves back and forth for instance during sea transport in rough seas. Such a gap will inevitably always develop in this known support arrangement if the load comprises a casing which will be pressed and shrink somewhat owing to external forces. 
     The transportation and supporting of a high, narrow and heavy load with known support arrangements has proven to be especially problematic. Examples of such a load are heavy and narrow metal reels having a large diameter. Their transport and supporting has proven difficult especially in lorries, but also in trains, ships and airplanes, in which the reels are typically transported in containers. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a new support arrangement that eliminates the above-mentioned prior-art problems and permits safe support for high and narrow loads when the loads are transported in different transportation units, such as different vehicles and transportation means. 
     To implement this, the invention provides a support arrangement for supporting load in a transportation unit, such as container or vehicle for transporting load, the support arrangement comprising a rod-like support member and a first and a second rail parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transportation unit, which comprise a wall structure which forms longitudinal grooves and support points arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rails for receiving the support member at a given support point beside the load to support it, the rod-like support member comprising a first support end for positioning to a first support point in the first rail and a second support end opposite to the first support end for positioning to a second support point in the second rail so that the rod-like support member is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the transportation, wherein 
     the rod-like support member is arranged to be displaceable along the rails guided by the longitudinal inner walls of the grooves of the rails, and 
     the support arrangement comprises an elongated flexible member and a tightening means for tightening the elongated flexible member against the load to be supported so that displacement of the load in relation to the rod-like member is prevented. 
     According to a preferable embodiment of the invention 
     the first support end of the rod-like support member is adapted to be fastened to the first support point in the first rail and the second support end of the rod-like support member is adapted to be fastened to the second support point in the second rail for positioning the rod-like support member in a locked position in which its free movement in the longitudinal direction of the transportation unit is prevented, 
     an inner wall structure of the longitudinal grooves of the rails form said support points when the rod-like support member is in its locked position, 
     the first support end and the second support end of the rod-like support member each comprising two gripping edges arranged diametrically to each other, which are arranged to bite into the inner walls of the longitudinal grooves of the rails when the rod-like support member is in its locked position, the inner walls forming for the support ends said support points and 
     the elongated flexible support member is arranged to turn the rod-like support member and its support ends so that the gripping edges of the rod-like support member wedge by biting into the inner walls of the grooves of the rails to bring the rod-like support member into its locked position the rod-like support member comprising power transmission brackets in cooperation with the elongated flexible member, which are arranged to transmit a torque to the rod-like support member for turning it, when the elongated flexible member is tightened with tightening means connected thereto and arranged to uphold a torque exerted on the rod-like support member and keep the rod-like support member in its locked position so that its free movement relative to the transportation unit is prevented. Such an embodiment keeps the load in place in the transportation unit and prevents the load from being displaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the transportation unit. 
     A great advantage of the support arrangement of the invention is that it makes it possible to securely support different loads, even a high and narrow load, in different types of transportation units so that the load cannot during transportation move in the transportation unit. When the elongated flexible member is also arranged around the load to be supported, the load to be supported can be pressed between the support member and elongated flexible member when the elongated flexible member is tightened with the tightening means. If, in the embodiment of the invention comprising a rod-like support member whose support ends comprise diametrical gripping edges, the load strives at moving during transportation, the load causes to the elongated flexible member of the support arrangement a force that endeavors to turn the rod-like support member and makes the gripping edges of the rod-like support member to lock even tighter to the support points in the transportation unit, that is, to the longitudinal inner walls of the grooves of the rails, which inner walls receive the gripping edges. Thus, the support arrangement is self-tightening, which is a great advantage when compared to known support arrangements. The support arrangement also provides the advantage that it is easy and quick to arrange around the load to be transported to support it. Thanks to being self-tightening the gripping edges are caused to grip even to smooth inner walls. Because the elongated flexible member and the tightening means flex elastically, the gripping force of the gripping edges to the inner walls prevails even if slight changes occurred in the outer dimensions of the supported load during transportation. The outer dimensions of the load may slightly change due to the fact, for example, that the packaging material of the load compresses slightly when stresses are directed to it during transportation. Thus, the elongated flexible member and the tightening means attached thereto ensure that the support rod and load to be supported remain stationary in all situations. Because the support provided by the support arrangement is extremely secure, the load may be heavy; an example of which is large-diameter narrow metal reels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of an example and by referring to the attached drawing, in which 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an arrangement of the invention for supporting reels in a transportation unit, 
         FIG. 2  shows a section along line II-II of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are end and side views, respectively, of a support rod used in the support arrangement of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of an alternative support rod embodiment to that of  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a rail and groove for receiving a support rod, which belong to the support arrangement of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the construction of the inner walls of the rail in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIG. 9  illustrates how the support rod of  FIGS. 3 to 5  locks into the transportation unit, 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show in more detail than  FIGS. 1 and 2  how a reel is supported in a transportation unit of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as seen from the end and side, respectively, 
         FIG. 12  is an alternative embodiment to that of  FIG. 1  for supporting a reel in a transportation unit, 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  show in more detail than  FIG. 12  how a reel is supported in a transportation unit of  FIG. 12 , as seen from the end and side, respectively, 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate how a reel is supported in the cargo space of a lorry by using the support arrangement of the invention, as seen from the end and side, respectively, 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a support rod used in the support arrangement of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a rail and groove for receiving a support rod, which belong to the support arrangement of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the construction of the rail in  FIG. 18 , and 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the support rod of the support arrangement a seen from the side and end, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a container  2 , in which five metal reels  1  have been loaded. The container  2  is not loaded full of reels, because its strength would not be sufficient to carry a large number of reels. The diameter of the reels  1  is approximately 190 cm and their width is approximately 30 cm. As shown in the figure, the reels are arranged at a distance from each other, whereby they load the container evenly. 
       FIG. 2  shows a section along line II-II of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show that the reels  1  are arranged in a chute  7  that extends from one end of the container to the other. The chute  7  comprises oblique support surfaces  8 , to which the mantle surface of the reel  1  is supported. 
     Each reel  1  is supported with a support arrangement that comprises a support rod  4  and rope  9 . The support rod  4  supports the reel  1  on one side and the rope  9  is wound around the reel  1  such that it supports the reel on the opposite side. The rope  9  is fastened to a first bracket  10   a  on one end of the support rod  4 , then guided on the outside behind the reel  1  and through the hole  11  in the reel to a bracket  10   b  in the middle of the support rod, then back behind the reel and through the hole  11  of the reel back to a bracket  10   c  on the other, opposite end of the support rod, and the rope  9  ends in the bracket  10   a . A tightening means, for instance rigging screw  12 , is arranged to the rope  9  to tighten the rope  9 . The purpose of the tightening is to lock the support rod into rails  13  on walls  5 ,  6  of the transportation unit. Because the brackets  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  act as lever arms to turn the support rod  4 , the brackets  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  may be called power transmission brackets or moment transmission brackets. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the support rod  4  in more detail. The number of brackets  10   a ,  10   c ,  10   d ,  10   e  in the support rod may vary. When there are several brackets, the rope may be fastened/guided to more than one point of the support rod  4 , which increases the suitability of the support rod in supporting loads of different type and also makes it possible to support the load in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transportation unit, that is, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the transportation unit. The total length L 1  of the support rod  4  is selected such that it extends between the opposite walls  5 ,  6  of the transportation unit. The length L 1  is approximately 2300 mm when the transportation unit  2  is a container. At the opposite ends of the support rod  4 , there are support ends  14  that are rectangular in cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 1 to 8  show that the diametrically opposite corners of the support end  14  form gripping edges  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  that lock into the rails  13  on the walls  5 ,  6  of the container. The gripping edges lock by wedging to the rails  13 , as illustrated in particular in  FIG. 9  showing that the gripping edges  15   b  and  15   d  of the support end  14  are locked onto the smooth inner walls  17   a ,  18   a  of the top  17  and bottom walls  18  of the rail  13 . The more the rope (see rope  9  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is tightened, the more the support rod  4  turns in the turning direction of arrow A in  FIG. 9 , and the more the gripping edges  15   b  and  15   d  bite into the inner wall  17   a ,  18   a  of the walls (wall construction)  17 ,  18  and prevent the movement of the support rod in the longitudinal direction of the rail  13 . In a way, the gripping edges  15   b ,  15   d  cut into the inner walls  17   a ,  18   a  and lock the support rod  4  in place so that it is in its locked position. When the tightening rope (rope  9  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is also wound around the load to be supported (that is, reels  1 ,  1 ′,  1 ″ in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  10  to  16 ), the load is pressed between the support rod and tightening rope. In addition, thanks to the yield of the tightening rope (the rope yields in practice and is not completely rigid), the biting force of the gripping edges  15   b ,  15   d  into the inner walls  17   a ,  18   a  prevails even if slight changes occurred in the outer dimensions of the supported load (that is, reels  1 ,  1 ′,  1 ″ in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  10  to  16 ) during transportation. The outer dimensions of the load may slightly change due to the fact, for example, that the packaging material of the load compresses slightly at some points when repeated stresses are directed to it during transportation. Thus, the tightening rope ensures that the support rod  4  and load to be supported remain stationary in all situations. 
       FIG. 7  shows the inner wall  17   a  of an upper part of the rail  13 . One can see that the inner wall  17   a  comprises consecutive teeth  19 . The dimensions of the teeth are S 1 =20 mm, S 2 =10 mm, and the internal distance between the teeth is S 3 =20 mm. Such a density of the teeth enables that the support rod in practice can be positioned close enough to the load to be supported, also if support rods are positioned on both sides of the load (c.f.  FIG. 12 ). The tooth system is strived to be as dense as possible, whereby the support rod  4  can be positioned as close as possible to the load  1  to be supported, 
       FIG. 8  shows the inner wall  18   a  of an lower part of the rail  13 . The inner wall  18   a  comprises similar consecutive teeth  19  as are found in the inner wall  17   a  of the upper part of the rail, c.f.  FIG. 7 . When the reel  1  is fastened with only one support rod  4 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tooth system (teeth  19 ) is provided both in the inner wall  17   a  of the upper part of the rail and in the inner wall  18   a  of the lower part of the rail. 
     Owing to the fact that the tightening rope is tightened also if the load to be supported strives to displace during transportation, the support arrangement is self tightening. Thanks to being self tightening, one could think to design smooth inner walls  17   a  and  18   a , i.e. inner walls  17   a ,  18   a  without teeth or other protrusions or dents. Smooth inner walls would enable to position without any clearance the support rod against the load to be supported. 
     The rail  13  is made of a steel sheet that is edged. The hardness and strength of the steel sheet are smaller than the hardness and strength of the gripping edges  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  of the gripping end  14 . The thickness of the steel sheet is 4 mm, for instance, and its yield strength is 355 MPa. The gripping end  14  of the support rod  4  is preferably made of steel. The yield strength of the gripping edges  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of the support end is in the range of 1000 MPa. When the hardness and strength of the gripping edges  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  are greater than the hardness and strength of the rail, the gripping edges bite and cut well into the smooth walls  17   a ,  18   a  of the rail. It is thinkable that the rails are made of aluminium, because it is light and relatively soft. Other metals may also be considered as the manufacturing material of the rail  13 . 
     The diameter d 1  of the support end  14  of the support rod  4  is slightly smaller that the width W of the rail groove  16 , whereby the gripping end  14  of the support rod  4  may freely move in the groove  16  of the rail  13  in the longitudinal direction. For example, d 1 =30 mm and W=35 mm. The diameter d 2  of the support end  14  is 35 mm, for instance. The largest diameter d 3  of the support end  14  is larger than the width W of the rail groove  16 , whereby the gripping edges  15   b ,  15   d  of the support end  14  may grip and bite into the inner walls  17   a ,  18   a  of the rail  13 . When the support rod  4  is turned, see  FIG. 9 . The length of the support end  14  is 50 mm. The diameter D of the support rod  4  is approximately 70 mm. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative to the round shape of the support rod  4 ″. The support rod  4 ′″ of  FIG. 5  is rectangular in shape. The support rod  4 ′″ of  FIG. 5  provides the advantage over the support rod of  FIG. 4  that its strength and rigidity can be made great relative to its weight, whereby it is lighter than a round support rod and thus easier to handle when mounted in place or detached.  FIG. 5  shows that the plane of the support end  14 ′″ is preferably at a small angle θ to the plane of the support rod  4 ″. The angle θ is preferably 2 to 10 degrees. Thanks to the angle θ, the plane of the support rod  4 ′″ settles perpendicular to the load to be supported when the support end  14 ′″ is in its locked position and slightly obliquely (see  FIG. 9 ) in the groove  16  of the rail  13 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show the solution of the invention in more detail than in  FIG. 2 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  use the same reference numbers as  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 10  shows that the transportation unit is a container that comprises an opening roof  20 . The fastening points of the container to the base (not shown) are indicated by reference number  21 . The figure also shows that the support ends  14  of the support rod  4  are arranged in the groove  16  in the rail. 
       FIGS. 12 to 14  show an alternative support arrangement for supporting a reel  1  to that shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  10  and  11 . The arrangement of  FIGS. 12 to 14  differs from that shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  10  and  11  in that on both sides of the reel  1 , support rods  4 ′ are arranged and the rope  9 ′ is guided in a different manner than in  FIGS. 1 ,  10  and  11 . The rope  9 ′ is guided to brackets  10 ′ at the ends of the support rods  4 ′, thus connecting them operationally to each other. When the rope  9 ′ is tightened with tightening means  12 ′, the support rods  4 ′ turn in such a manner that the gripping edges of their support ends lock into the inner walls  17   a ′,  18   a ′ of the groove  16 ′ of the rail  13 ′. 
       FIGS. 15 to 19  show a support arrangement of a load, which in  FIGS. 15 and 16  is a reel  1 , in the cargo space of a lorry or the like. 
       FIGS. 15 to 19  use the same reference numbers as  FIGS. 31 to 14  for the corresponding components. 
     The arrangement of  FIGS. 15 to 19  differs from that of  FIGS. 1 to 14  in that the support ends  14 ″ of the support rods  4 ″ have locking tongues  30 ″ that are arranged to lock into the rails  13 ″ in such a manner that the rails  13 ″ on the opposite walls  5 ″ and  6 ″ of the transport unit  2 ″ cannot in use move away from each other so that the support ends  14 ″ of the support rod  4 ″ would detach from the rails  13 ″. Thus, the support rods  4 ″ stiffen the transportation unit. The support end  14 ″ of the support rod  4 ″ may be arranged inside the groove  16 ″ of the rail  13 ″ by turning its locking tongue  30 ″ parallel to the groove  16 ″ of the rail  13 ″, after which the support end  14 ″ of the support rod  4 ″ may be pushed inside the groove  16 ″. After this, the support rod  4 ″ is turned approximately 90 degrees so that the locking tongue  30 ″ settles behind the top wall  17 ″ of the rail in a locked position, whereby the edge of the top wall  17 ″ forms a locking stopper  31 ″. Turning of the support rod  4 ″ about 90 degrees is possible, because each support end  14 ″ of the support rod has only two diametrically located gripping edges  15   b ″,  15   d ″ and the section of the support ends is generally a circle. 
     The profile of the rail  13 ″ differs from the profile of rail  13  of  FIG. 6 . The upper wall  17   a  of the rail comprises a dense tooth system  19 ″ which is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The tooth system  19 ″ is so dense that one may say that the adjustment and positioning of the support rod  4 ″ on the desired place can be said to be stepless and continuous. This enables to position the support rod always directly against the load  1 ″ to be supported and transported. Thanks to the fact that the support rod can be positioned and locked against the load so that there is no clearance between the load and the support supporting the load, no great impact forces on the support bar or on the load to be supported owing to any displacement of the load to be supported during transportation can take place. 
     The arrangement of  FIGS. 15 to 19  further differs from that of  FIGS. 1 to 14  in that it uses two pairs of support rods  4 ″ arranged at different heights in the cargo space of the transportation unit  2 ″ to support the reel  1 . The arrangement provides for the load a more even support, and strains less the wall structure of the transportation unit  2 ″ and its rails  13 ″. 
     Above, the invention is described only by means of examples. Therefore, it is remarked that the invention may in many ways differ in detail within the scope of the attached claims. To use a wider expression, the support rod may be a rod-like support member, the geometry of which may differ from that of a rod. Thus, the design of the support rod and its support end may vary. The number of power transmission brackets in the support rod may vary, and the number of gripping edges in the support end may be only two, whereby these are arranged diametrically to each other. Instead of a rope, some other long flexible member may be used, such as tightening belts or chain, to tighten the support rod into its locked position. The profile of the rails may vary from what is stated herein. It is thinkable that the support rods are arranged vertically in the transportation unit instead of or in addition to the presented horizontal positioning. In  FIGS. 20 and 21  is illustrated an embodiment of the rod-like support member  4 ′″ having no gripping edges or power transmission brackets. The embodiment is especially well suited for being used for transport by land, such as for railway wagons, against which impact forces may hit during a possible collision. The load to be supported can be supported in the railway wagon (or other transport unit) by arranging on opposite sides of the load a support rod  4 ″″ (or other rod-like support member), according to  FIGS. 20 and 21 . The support rods  4 ″″ are connected to each other with an elongated flexible member which is tightened with tightening means (c.f. tightening means  12  in  FIG. 1 ) so that a compressive force will act on the load. If the transportation unit during transportation hits on an obstacle, the support rods will prevent the load from tilting and crashing. The load may somewhat slide (e.g. one feet) along the bottom of the transportation unit, whereby, at the same time, the support ends  14 ″″ of the support rod  4 ″″ slide along the grooves of the rails in which the support ends are located (c.f.  FIG. 13 ). In addition to collision speed, the friction against the support beneath will greatly determine the slide length. Even if the load to be supported may slide, this in not harmful or dangerous, and the load does not become damaged owing to the fact that it does not tilt. Because the support ends  14 ″″ enable slide of the support rod also when the load is supported, they can be called slide guides. It can be contemplated that the support rods of  FIGS. 3 ,  5  an  17  may be used in such a way that their support ends function as slide guides. In such a situation one does not use the gripping edges or the power transmission brackets in order to create any torque on the support rod for locking it, but only such a support is achieved that prevents the load from tilting.