BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a disassemblable and re- assemblable loading pallet comprising first beam members and second beam members, the first beam members and the second beam members being detachably interconnected when the loading pallet is in an assembled state.

[0002] WO 01/19691 A1 discloses a disassemblable and re- assemblable loading pallet according to the preamble of claim 1. In the loading pallet of WO 0119691 A1 the first beam members are provided with stoppers and spring means attached thereto for detachably connecting second beam members to the first beam members. The second beam members can be locked to the first beam members by arranging the second beam members between the stoppers and the spring members of the first beam members such that the spring members press the second beam member against the stoppers.

[0003] A problem with the above arrangement is that the detaching of the second beam members from the first beams members is not simple but requires strength, i.e. the spring force provided by the spring means must be exceeded.

[0004] JP2003231524 also discloses a disassemblable and re- assemblable loading pallet. To allow the first beam members of this loading pallet to be detachably connectable to second beam members, they are provided with different L- and T-shaped connecting parts enabling the first and the second beam members to be locked to each other.

[0005] A problem with this prior art loading pallet is that the pallet is not easy to disassemble. The reason for this is that since the first beam members are provided with L- and T-shaped connecting parts attached thereto, each beam member must be pulled to a particular direction to disassemble the loading pallet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a disassemblable and re-assemblable loading pallet that solves the above problems.

[0007] This is achieved by a loading pallet characterized in that the first beam members comprise first openings; the second beam members comprise second openings;

the loading pallet comprises bar members; in the assembled state of the loading pallet, each bar member is arranged to penetrate

(i) both into first openings provided in one first beam member

(ii) and into second openings provided in at least two second beam members, each bar member locking at least two second beam members to one first beam member.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea that it comprises bar members, which in the assembled state of the loading pallet are arranged to penetrate both into first openings provided in one and the same first beam member and second openings provided in at least two second beam members, the bar members locking the first beam members and the second beam members to each other.

[0010] Preferably, although not necessarily, when the loading pallet is in its assembled state all first beam members of the loading pallet are locked to the second beam members only by means of bar members penetrating into the first openings and the second openings.

[0011] An advantage of the loading pallet of the invention is that it is easy to assemble and disassemble. The removal of the bar members disengages the first beam members and the second beam members from each other preferably entirely such that after the removal the first beam members and the second beam members can be raised or lowered ("dropped"), for example, to separate them from one another and to disassemble the loading pallet.

[0012] The loading pallets disclosed in WO 01/19691 A1 and JP2003231524 have a further disadvantage that can be at least partly alleviated by a preferred embodiment of the loading pallet of the invention. In the loading pallets of WO 01/19691 A1 and JP2003231524 each first beam member is provided with a first substantially straight hollow beam and each second beam member with a second substantially straight hollow beam. In the assembled state of the loading pallet the first substantially straight hollow beams and the second substantially straight hollow beams of these prior art loading pallets are superimposed and in direct contact with each other. Due to

this, a heavy load placed onto the loading pallet according to WO 01/19691 A1 or JP2003231524 may cause the first substantially straight hollow beam either to collapse partly against the second substantially straight hollow beam, or vice versa. Similarly, or alternatively, a heavy load placed onto the loading pallet known from WO 01/19691 A1 or JP2003231524 may cause the first substantially straight hollow beam to press against the second substantially straight hollow beam, or vice versa, thereby producing a depression.

[0013] To alleviate this disadvantage, a loading pallet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises first beam members provided with first vertical poles. In this embodiment second beam members comprise recesses for the first vertical poles of the first beam members. In the assembled state of the loading pallet the first vertical poles are partly inside the recesses of the second beam members, the first vertical poles being arranged to distribute the weight stress caused by the load on the loading pallet among the first beam members and the second beam members. In other words, the vertical poles increase the bearing capacity of the loading pallet.

[0014] According to a second preferred embodiment each first beam member of the loading pallet comprises a first substantially straight hollow beam having a first inner surface that defines a hollow space. Each second beam member comprises a second substantially straight hollow beam having a second inner surface that defines a hollow space. In this embodiment the first beam members comprise first vertical poles, each pole comprising a third substantially straight hollow beam. Each third substantially straight hollow beam is secured substantially perpendicularly to the first substantially straight hollow beam, the third substantially straight hollow beam being partly inside the first substantially straight hollow beam and partly outside the first substantially straight hollow beam. In this preferred embodiment a first end of each third substantially straight hollow beam rests against the first inner surface of the first substantially straight hollow beam. According to this preferred embodiment, in the assembled state of the loading pallet each third substantially straight hollow beam is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the second substantially straight hollow beam, the third substantially straight hollow beam being partly inside the second substantially straight hollow beam and partly outside the second substantially straight hollow beam. According to this preferred embodiment, in the assembled state of the loading pallet a

second end of each third substantially straight hollow beam rests against the second inner surface of the second hollow beam.

[0015] Since according to this preferred embodiment in the assembled state of the loading pallet (i) each third substantially straight hollow beam is substantially perpendicular both to the first and the second substantially straight hollow beams and (ii) since the first end of each third substantially straight hollow beam rests against the first inner surface of the first substantially straight hollow beam and since the second end of each third substantially straight hollow beam rests against the second inner surface of the second substantially straight hollow beam and (iii) since the first and the second substantially straight hollow beams are at a distance from one another, i.e. they are not in contact with each other, the weight of a load placed onto the first substantially straight hollow beams or, alternatively, the second substantially straight hollow beams is only distributed along the third substantially straight hollow beams to the second substantially straight hollow beams or, alternatively, to the first substantially straight hollow beams. A beam of this type is known for having an excellent resistance to longitudinal compression and for this reason the third substantially straight hollow beam has a good load distribution capability.

LIST OF FIGURES

[0016] In the following the invention will be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a top view of a loading pallet;

Figure 2 is a partly sectional end view of the loading pallet of Figure

1 ;

Figure 3 is an end view of the loading pallet of Figure 1 when disassebmled;

Figure 4 is a partly sectional side view of the loading pallet of Figure

1 ;

Figure 5 is a side view of the loading pallet of Figure 1 when disassembled; and

Figure 6 is a partly sectional view of a connection between a first beam member and a second beam member according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The disassemblable and re-assemblable loading pallet shown in the Figures comprises first beam members 1 , second beam members 2 and bar members 3. In the assembled state of the loading pallet the first beam members 1 and the second beam members 2 are detachably interconnected.

[0018] The first beam members 1 , the second beam members 2 and the bar members 3 are preferably, although not necessarily, made of metal, such as steel.

[0019] The loading pallet of Figure 1 is provided with three first beam members 1 , four second beam members 2 and three bar members 3. A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that the number of the first beam members 1 , the second beam members 2 and the bar members 3 may differ from what is shown in the Figures.

[0020] Each first beam member 1 comprises first openings 4 and each second beam member 2 comprises second openings 5.

[0021] In the assembled state of the loading pallet each bar member 3 is arranged to penetrate, on one hand, into first openings 4 provided in one and the same first beam member 1 and, on the other hand, into second openings 5 provided in at least two second beam members 2, each bar member 3 locking at least two second beam members 2 to one first beam member 1.

[0022] When the loading pallet is to be disassembled, the bar members 3 in the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 and the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 are removed, thereby releasing the first beam members 1 and the second beam members 2 from each other.

[0023] In the assembled state of the loading pallet, each bar member 3 of the loading pallet of Figure 1 is arranged to penetrate into a plural number of first openings 4 provided in one and the same first beam member 1 and second openings 5 of four different second beam members 2, each bar member 3 locking four second beam members 2 to one first beam member 1. Removal of one of the first bar members 3 from the loading pallet of Figure 1 means that a first beam member 1 can be detached from the loading pallet at the same time. When all three bar members 3 are removed from the loading pallet of Figure 1 , the second beam members 2 can be detached from the first beam members 1 by lifting, for example as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

[0024] The bar member 3 used in the loading pallets of the Figures is a substantially straight bar. The bar member 3 has preferably, although not necessarily, a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0025] The cross-sectional shape of the bar members 3 corresponds preferably, although not necessarily, at least substantially to the dimensions and shape of the first openings 4 and the second openings 5 and is preferably, although not necessarily, circular.

[0026] The loading pallet comprises preferably, although not necessarily, locking members for locking the bar members 3 in place in the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 and the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2. The locking members may be fixedly attached to the loading pallet, integrated into the structure of the loading pallet, or detachably connectable thereto.

[0027] In Figure 6 one end of the bar member 3 is provided with a plate 18 and by turning the bar member 3 driven through the first openings 4 and the second openings 5, the plate may be made to engage with a locking hook 19, or the like, provided on the second beam member 2.

[0028] It is possible that there is another plate (not shown) similar to the one in Figure 6, for example, at the opposite end of the bar member 3, the plate being similarly made to engage with a second locking hook (not shown) by turning the bar member. In this type of embodiment the first openings 4 and the second openings 5 are preferably shaped such that the bar member 3 having the other plate at the other end thereof can be driven through the first openings 4 or the second openings 5 to a point where the plate is pivoted to engage with the second locking hook.

[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures each first beam member 1 comprises a plural number of first vertical poles 6 and the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 are formed in the first vertical poles 6.

[0030] More precisely, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 each first beam member 1 comprises four first vertical poles 6.

[0031] According to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, in the assembled state of the loading pallet each bar member 3 is arranged to penetrate both into first openings 4 of a plural number of first vertical poles 6 and into second openings 5 of a plural number of different second beam members 2, each bar member 3 locking a plural number of second beam

members 2 to a plural number of first vertical poles 6 belonging to one and the same first beam member 1.

[0032] More precisely, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 each first beam member 1 comprising four first vertical poles 6 has four second beam members 2 locked thereto by means of the bar member 3. Since the loading pallet of Figures 1 to 5 comprises three first beam members 1 , each one of the four second beam members 2 is locked at three different points to a first vertical pole 6 of one first beam member 1 in the assembled state of the loading pallet.

[0033] The first vertical poles 6 are preferably, although not necessarily, secured to the first beam member 1 such that the first vertical poles 6 extend substantially entirely through the first beam member 1.

[0034] The first beam members 1 comprise preferably, although not necessarily, a first hollow beam 7 having a first inner surface 9. In this type of embodiment the first vertical poles 6 are secured to the first beam members 1 such that the first vertical poles 6 are partly inside the first hollow beams 7 and partly outside the first hollow beams 7 and such that the first vertical poles 6 in the first hollow beams 7 rest against the first inner surface 9 of the first hollow beam 7.

[0035] In the Figures each first beam member 1 comprises a first hollow beam 7 having a first inner surface 9. In the Figures each first vertical pole 6 comprises a third hollow beam 8. In the Figures each third hollow beam 8 is secured to a first hollow beam 7 such that each third hollow beam 8 is partly inside the first hollow beam 7 and partly outside the first hollow beam 7 and such that a first end (not indicated with a reference numeral) of each third hollow beam 8 in the first hollow beam 7 rests against the first inner surface 9 of the first hollow beam 7. The first hollow beams 7 comprise preferably, although not necessarily, third openings (not indicated with a reference numeral), into which the third hollow beams 8 are arranged.

[0036] In the Figures the first openings 4 are formed in the third hollow beams 8 of the first vertical poles 6.

[0037] Each first beam member 1 of the loading pallet illustrated in the Figures comprises a first hollow beam 7 that is a substantially straight beam, and each first vertical pole 6 comprises a third hollow beam 8 that is a substantially straight beam. In the Figures each third hollow beam 8 is secured substantially perpendicularly to the first hollow beam 7.

[0038] The first hollow beams 7 of the first beam members 1 are preferably, although not necessarily, tubular beams of a rectangular or square cross-section.

[0039] The second hollow beams 10 of the second beam members 2 are preferably, although not necessarily, tubular beams of a rectangular or square cross-section.

[0040] The third hollow beams 8 are preferably, although not necessarily, tubular beams of a rectangular or square cross-section.

[0041] The second beam members 2 comprise preferably, although not necessarily, recesses 14, or the like, for the first vertical poles 6. According to this type of embodiment in the assembled state of the loading pallet the first vertical poles 6 are partly in the recesses 14 of the second beam members 2 and partly outside the recesses 14 of the second beam members 2. In this embodiment the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 are preferably, although not necessarily, arranged in connection with the recesses 14, or the like.

[0042] Each second beam member 2 comprises more preferably, although not necessarily, a second hollow beam 10 having a second inner surface 11 that defines a second hollow space (not indicated with a reference numeral). According to this embodiment in the assembled state of the loading pallet the first vertical poles 6 are partly inside the second hollow beams 10 and partly outside the second hollow beams 10 such that the first vertical poles 6 in the second hollow beams 10 rest against the second inner surface 11 of the second hollow beams 10.

[0043] In the embodiment of the Figures each second beam member 2 comprises a second hollow beam 10 having a second inner surface 11 that defines a hollow space, and each first vertical pole 6 comprises a third hollow beam 8. In the embodiments of the Figures each third beam 8 is partly inside the second hollow beam 10 and partly outside the second hollow beam 10 such that the second end (not indicated with a reference numeral) of each third hollow beam 8 in the second hollow beam 10 rests against the second inner surface 11 of the second hollow beam 2.

[0044] The second hollow beams 10 comprise preferably, although not necessarily, third openings (not indicated with a reference numeral) through which the third hollow beams 8 go in the assembled state of the loading pallet.

[0045] Each first beam member 1 of the loading pallet of the Figures comprises a first hollow beam 7 that is a substantially straight beam, and each first vertical pole 6 comprises a third hollow beam 8 that is a substantially straight beam.

[0046] In the Figures each third hollow beam 8 is secured substantially perpendicularly to the first hollow beam 7.

[0047] Each second beam member 2 of the loading pallet of the Figures comprises a second hollow beam 10 that is a substantially straight beam. In the assembled state of the loading pallet the first hollow beams 7 and the second hollow beams 10 are substantially transverse to each other and to the third hollow beams 8.

[0048] In the loading pallet of the Figures the length of the third hollow beam 8 is selected to be such that in the assembled state of the loading pallet the first hollow beams 7 and the second hollow beams 10 are at a distance from one another, i.e. the first hollow beams 7 do not touch the second hollow beams 10, an appropriate space being thereby provided for a lifting device, such as a forklift (not shown) or a lifting machine (not shown).

[0049] The loading pallet comprises preferably, although not necessarily, aligning members 12 for aligning the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 with the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 so that the bar members 3 can be driven through the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 and the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2.

[0050] The aligning members 12 are preferably arranged to align the first openings 4 and the second openings 5 such that at least some of the first openings 4 and at least some of the second openings 5 are aligned so that a substantially straight bar member 3 can be driven simultaneously through a plural number of first openings 4 and second openings 5.

[0051] If the first beam members 1 comprise first vertical poles 6, the loading pallet comprises preferably, although not necessarily, aligning means 12 for aligning the first openings 4 of the first vertical poles 6 with the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 such that the bar members 3 can be driven through the first openings 4 of the first vertical poles 6 and the second openings 5 of the second beams members 2.

[0052] If the first beam members 1 of the loading pallet comprise first vertical poles 6 with first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 arranged

thereto, and the second beam members 2 of the loading pallet comprise recesses 14, or the like, for the respective first vertical poles 6, with second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 arranged in connection with the recesses 14, or the like, the loading pallet comprises preferably, although not necessarily, aligning members 12 arranged to guide the first vertical poles 6 to the recesses 14, or the like, in such a way that the first openings 4 of the first vertical poles 6 are positioned relative to the second openings 5 arranged in connection with the recesses 14, or the like, such that the bar members 3 can be driven through the first openings 4 and the second openings 5.

[0053] In the loading pallet of the Figures the aligning member 12 comprises a conical member 13 attached to the second hollow beam 10 of the second beam member 12 and, more specifically, to the inner surface 11 of the second hollow beam 10. In Figure 6 the conical member 13 is arranged to cooperate with the inner surface 15 of the third hollow beam 8 such that when the third hollow beam 8 is arranged into the second hollow beam 10, the conical member and the third inner surface 15 of the third hollow beam 8 together guide the third hollow beam 8 in the second hollow beam 10. In the assembled state of the loading pallet the conical member goes into the third hollow beam 8.

[0054] The second beam members 2 of Figure 6 further comprise guide sleeves 16 arranged to the second substantially straight hollow beam 10 and arranged to guide the third hollow beams 8.

[0055] In the Figures both the second hollow beams 10 and the guide sleeve 16 of the second beam members 2 are provided with second openings 5.

[0056] Alternatively, the loading pallet may be provided with first beam members 1 comprising first vertical poles 6 and second beam members 2 comprising second vertical poles (not shown). In this type of embodiment the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 are formed to the first vertical poles 6 and the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 to the second vertical poles.

[0057] According to this embodiment, in the assembled state of the loading pallet the bar member 3 is arranged to penetrate both into the first opening 4 in a first vertical pole 6 and the second opening 5 in a second vertical pole, the bar member 3 thus locking the first vertical pole 6 to the second vertical pole.

[0058] Alternatively, the loading pallet may be provided with a plural number of first beam members 1 comprising a plural number of vertical poles 6 and a plural number of second beam members 2 comprising a plural number of second vertical poles. In this type of embodiment the first openings 4 of the first beam members 1 are formed to the first vertical poles 6 and the second openings 5 of the second beam members 2 to the second vertical poles.

[0059] According to this embodiment, in the assembled state of the loading pallet each bar member 3 is arranged to penetrate, on one hand, a plural number of first openings 4 provided in first vertical poles 6 belonging to one and the same first beam member 1 , and, on the other hand, into a plural number of second openings 5 provided in second vertical poles belonging to at least two different second beam members 2, each bar member 3 locking at least two second beam members 2 to one first beam member 1.

[0060] The loading pallet of the Figures further comprises reinforcements 17 at points from where the loading pallet is to be lifted by means of a forklift (not shown) or a lifting machine.

[0061] A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that as technology advances the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples but may be varied within the scope of the claims.

List of reference numerals

1 First beam member

2 Second beam member

3 Bar member

4 First opening

5 Second opening

6 First vertical pole

7 First hollow beam

8 Third hollow beam

9 First inner surface

10 Second hollow beam

11 Second inner surface

12 Aligning member

13 Conical member

Recess Third inner surface Guide sleeve Reinforcement Plate Locking hook