The present invention relates to a fixture for retaining an end of a member such as a section of a windmill tower, a blade for a windmill, or a hub for a wind mill turbine, said fixture comprising an axial control/retaining means in relation to the longitudinal axis of the member in form of a first lower console for preventing of a relative horizontal displacement between the end of the member and the fixture in a direction perpendicular to the end of the member in use, said console further includes cross-positioning means for positioning the end of the member in relation to the fixture during fastening of the fixture to the end of the member in relation to a horizontal oriented direction parallel to the end of the member in use, and cross- axial holding means for preventing of a relative displacement between the end of the member and the fixture in a direction across of the longitudinal axis of the member, first connection devices for attachment of the fixture to an external struc- ture different from the end of the member, and parts cooperating with at least two second connection devices for releaseable attachment of mainly vertically oriented frame parts upstanding from the fixture.

Said members, in particular wind turbine tower sections is typically cylindri- cally and slightly conical, and the ends comprises an internal flange with a plurality of holes mainly for use connecting of the sections on site for a relevant wind mill. However, the ends might also comprise flanges on the outside for assembling of said sections, but outside flanges are primarily used in connection with securing of wind mill towers to a foundation. The tower sections has typically an outside di- ameter between 2 to 5 meters, a weight of 10 to 80 ton, and a length of approximately 10 meters, and in certain occasions even larger dimensions than the above indicated are used. Retaining and handling during transport is thus far from a routine task. In most occasions the relocation of a wind mill tower from the production site to the operation site includes more than one category of transportation. The transport will typically consist of two or more transports on sea, railway and road, and thus reloading of the tower sections is not an insignificant work to perform due to the size and weight of the sections.

Such a fixture is among others known from WO 2007/093854 (Vestas A/S) where the control/retaining means comprises displaceable and pivotally mounted locking elements, comprising through openings for admission of bolts which is passed through flanges in an adjacent end of the member to be secured. Said locking elements is naturally manufactured of high performance steel, and the locking elements is thus relative heavy and difficult to handle for the workers who is intended to secure the end of the member to the control/retaining means. The displaceable and pivotally mounting of the locking elements in the control/retaining means results in that the holes in these can be positioned with a hole in a flange in the end of a member which is eyed to be secured, however within the flange dimensions and hole patterns in flanges to which the control/retaining means is designed. The known fixture has thus a certain, but still limited flexibility in use, understood in that way, that the limits for displacement and pivoting of the locking elements sets the limits for which diameters and hole patterns the fixture the fixture is useable for. Further the work with the correct positioning of the holes in the locking elements might be considerable time consuming.

To the fixture also belong a from the control/retaining means upstanding frame part comprising tree parallel columns interrelated by tree transversal beams, where the middle column comprises a through going track in which is put through and secured a locking device comprising a threaded rod with adjustable nuts for securing/clamping on each side of the middle column, and which against the flange in the end of the member facing side comprises a plate shaped body with elongated fit holes, for receiving of bolts for clamping in the flange in the end of the member. Due to the fact that the sections in wind turbine towers most frequently has a conical shape, there will naturally occur a certain space between the plate shaped body which is clamped in the flange in the end of the member and the mounting of threaded rod in the middle column. Under heavy cross oriented force impacts on the member, this leads to a very hard load on the threaded rod, which demands for large strength requirements to as well the middle column, as to the threaded rod and its anchoring in the column, which results in that it will be relatively costly.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a fixture of the specified type which is useable for transport of members of the specified type, in practically any size and with any hole pattern, and which further allows for a more swift arrangement of the member in it. It is further the object of the invention to provide a fixture where the upper locking device can be arranged in a simpler and thus cheaper manner compared to the above known fixture. It is further the object of the invention to define a twist lock, which provides for a stable connection between the two further connection devices of the first lower console, and there from upstanding mainly vertical oriented frame parts.

It by the invention realized that the object is achieved with a fixture stated in the preamble, which is characterised in that the console comprises a through-slit- opening located between the cross positioning means for introducing of a dis- placeable first holding device in the form of a bolt or a threaded rod with nut, the free end of said bolt or threaded rod is provided with a nut for clamping a dis- placeable first holding means on said bolt or threaded nut, for the engagement of the avert facing side related to the current console, of a flange of the end of the member, for counteracting of relative displacements between the console and the member parallel with the length axis of the member, and at least two pivotally mounted, threaded rods or bolts, the free ends of which comprises nuts for clamp-5 ing displaceable mounted, second holding means on said rods, for engagement of the against the length axis oriented side of said flange, for counteracting of a relative horizontally directed displacement between the member and the fixture in a transverse direction relative to the length axis of the member, during use.

o Hereby is achieved a very high grade of flexibility in connection with the use of the fixture according to the invention, compared with the fixture disclosed in WO 2007/093854, where the holes in the locking elements are to be positioned pivoting the locking elements in the holding means, since the attachment between the fixture/console can take place without respect to the hole pattern in a relevant5 flange in the end of a relevant member, since the first holding device is brought in touch with the avert facing side related to the console in the relevant end of the member, after which said first holding device by the nut on the threaded rod or bolt is clamped in a manner that the flange is brought in firm touch with the console.

o Subsequent the second holding devices are easy brought in position against the side of the flange facing the length axis of the member, without taking any account to the hole pattern of the flange, thanks to the pivotally mountings of the threaded rods in the console, and being clamped by the nuts on the pivotally mounted threaded rods, after which, the member by the first holding device is se- 5 cured against relative displacements between the console and the member in the length direction of the member, and by the second holding devices against relative displacements between the console and the member in the transverse direction. In the context, it must be remembered that this is very large and heavy items, which are difficult to handle and bring in position, even if there is sufficient lifting capacity available, therefore will the fact that the attachment between the fixture and the item can take place without respect to the relevant hole pattern in flanges in the end of relevant members be crucial importance for how much time is needed for placing a topic member in the fixture.

It should be noticed that the fixture is useable regardless of whether the members has internal or external flanges, since the through-slit-shaped opening between the transverse positioning means has an extent to a level below said flanges, whereby it will be possible to perform a clamping of the holding means against the external flange. However, this might sometimes lead to a need for another design of the holding device than the one used for securing of ends of members with internal flanges.

With the object further to be able to prevent a relative displacement between the fixture and the end the member, and further to be able to secure an additional member above the first, the fixture can further comprise a second upstanding frame part from the second connection devices, comprising two parallel, and by at least one but preferably two transverse beams, mutual connected columns, the length of which columns at least corresponds with the diameter of the member, said columns, said columns each include aligned parallel through-slit-openings on the side adjacent to the end of the member, in said slit-openings is mounted at least one displaceable threaded rod/bolt, the first end of which includes a head the diameter of which is larger than the width of the slit-shaped openings, said head during use of the fixture is in touch with the avert facing side of the columns, and in which other threaded end comprises at nut cooperating with the threaded rod/bolt for clamping on said rods displaceable mounted third holding means for engagement of a flange on the end of a member on the avert facing side relative to the second frame part, for counteracting of a relative horizontal oriented displacement between the member and the fixture in a direction across the length axis of the member.

Thanks to the slit-openings it will be easy and swift to arrange the third hold- ing means in engagement with the flange by displacing the bolt or the threaded rod in the slit-openings, and subsequent tighten the holding means to the flange so that the end of the member is clamped firm attachment. Using the fixture in connection with transport of members in form of wind mill tower sections which is tapered in its design, which means that the diameter of the first end is different from the diameter in the opposite end, might sometimes require the need of relatively large compensating abilities in connection with the po- sitioning of the third holding means, so that these can be brought in engagement with a flange in the end of the member.

With the object to be able to use the fixture for all diameters of mill towers, the cross draw might comprise aligned, parallel through-slit-openings on the side adjacent to the member, and the relative to the member avert facing side, oriented transverse and associated with the slit-openings in the columns, in said slit- openings is mounted at least one displaceable threaded rod/bolt, the first end of which includes a head the diameter of which is larger than the width of the slit- shaped openings, said head during use of the fixture is in touch with the avert fac-5 ing side of the columns relative to the member, and the other threaded end of said threaded rod or bolt comprises a nut cooperating with the threaded rod/bolt for clamping on said rods displaceable mounted third holding means for engagement of a flange on the end of a member, for counteracting of a relative horizontal oriented displacement between the member and the fixture in a direction across the o length axis of the member.

It will hereby be possible to use the fixture together with practically any known diameter on a member, par example a mill tower.

5 In the intent to secure an opportunity for swift placement and attachment of the second retaining means, the second retaining means for engagement of a flange on the end of a member might consist of claws, preferably of angular blocks the first leg of which comprises a through-hole for receiving of the threaded rod/bolt so that the angular block is displaceable mounted on the threaded o rod/bolt, and the second leg of the angular block is protruding perpendicularly from the first leg which during use is brought in attachment to the against the length axis of the member facing side of a flange in the end of the member, and clamped to firm attachment by a nut in the end of the threaded rod/bolt.

5 It will thus be relatively easy to arrange the other holding means in attachment with said side of the flange in the end of the member, and then stabilize the member against cross force effects on the length axis of the member, by tightening the nut.

Naturally, there will be very large force impacts tightening/clamping the sec- ond holding devices, and during use of these during transport of the members, where even very large dynamic force impacts may occur. These conditions might sometimes result in that the bolts, on which the second holding means are arranged, does not retain their directional stability, and possible will tend to bend out, which in some occasions may result in that the engagement between the second holding means and the flange in the end of the member does not retain the presupposed strength properties due to an oblique pull in the second holding means arising by the deflection of the bolt/the threaded rod.

With the intention to counteract an oblique pull in the second holding means the angular blocks may comprise a plain surface on its avert facing side relative to the flange, which in use is in touch with a support plate or prop emerging from the basis of the console.

It is hereby secured that the pull in the second holding means is directed to be perpendicular to the surfaces on the holding means adjacent to the sides of the flange.

In the intent to provide a stable and good support between the flange in the end of the member and the first and the third holding means, the first and third holding means may consist of a wing comprising a plane, elongated pressure plate with a first surface for the engagement of a flange in the end of the member, and a second surface comprising a from the middle of the surface upstanding bushing for receiving a bolt or a threaded rod, and from said bushing extends equally formed, wedge shaped, plate shaped lugs/props from the second surface, the height of which over the second surface is lowest in the end avert facing the bushing, which is ended at the edge of the pressure plate, and the edges averting the second side surface of said lugs/props being connected with a plate extending from the bushing in direction of the end of the lugs/props.

By this design of the first and the third holding means, a suitable surface between the flange and the first surfaces of the holding means is achieved, since the touch area between the flange and the holding means increases as the distance to the bushing increases, due to the flange curvature. By the props it is secured that the pull forces are transferred efficiently to the bolt or the threaded rod during use. Simultaneously there is again provided for an easy and uncomplicated possibility for placement of the first and third holding means, when connecting of a member to the fixture, since the wings easily is displaced to their securing position and are turned in the correct position behind a relevant surface on a flange in the end of a member to be secured to the fixture for transport or handling.

With the intention to secure for a stable attachment in use between the up- standing frame part and the end of the member, the upstanding second frame part from the second connection devices in use can be oblique relative to vertical, and be clamped to firm attachment to the end of the member by third holding devices.

Clamping the frame part to firm attachment of the end of the member by the5 third holding devices in use, a minor torque load on the bolts/threaded rods is achieved, compared to the use of the stated known fixture, where there is a space between the frame and the end of the member. By the clamping to firm attachment, there is further achieved a friction force between the end of the member and the fixture, which contributes to a further stabilisation and secure of the member o arranged in the fixture according to the invention.

With respect to space, sections of turbine towers are transported in equal lengths, so that two sections are positioned horizontally oriented above the other, respectively with the largest and smallest circumference of the relevant sections of5 the tower sections above the other at the ends, whereby the deck area of a transport vessel is utilized optimal.

With the intention to be able to utilize the fixture according to the invention for transport of turbine towers as indicated in the previous section, a further console o might be located upon the second frame part according to claim 1 , with first and second holding devices according to claim 4, 5 and 6.

With the intention to easily to be able to fasten the fixture to another construction than the end of one or more members arranged in the fixture, such as a 5 deck on a ship, a loading surface on a wagon or a solid surface, the first connection devices for releaseable secure of the fixture to an external structure different from the end of the member consist of a number of lashing eyes on the side of the console facing away from the member.

It will then be easy to attach fixtures to a substrate, such as using lashing material suitable to cooperate with the lashing eyes on the console, however it will be a prerequisite that there on a relevant ship ^' s deck, loading surface on a wagon or a solid surface exists corresponding attachment facilities for a secure anchoring of the lashing material. Alternatively it may be that the fixtures are welded for example to a ship ^' s deck, a loading surface on a wagon or a truck body.

With the intention to ensure an efficient retaining between the console and the column, the second connection devices for releaseable fastening of mainly horizontal emerging frame parts, may consist of a clamping locking device, comprising a bolt with a mainly T-shaped head, which in use is introduced and secured in a cooperating slit-shaped opening in a bottom plate in the columns, by a 90° turn of the bolt after introducing it through the slit-shaped opening in the bottom of a relevant column, and the free threaded end of said T-shaped bolt is introduced in a therewith cooperating opening in rest plates for the horizontal frame parts, located closest to the boundary of the console, and where the threaded end includes a nut and a washer for clamping into firm attachment with the resting plates, with the T-shaped head in firm attachment against the bottom plates of the columns.

Hereby is achieved a stable and restraint connection between the columns and the console, which helps to stabilise the fixture and accordingly ensures members arranged in it against dynamic jerk actions obtained from non firm connections between the columns and the console, as it is known by using the traditional twistlock mechanisms for connecting between the console and the columns.

With the intention to make correct placement of the T-shaped bolt easier, the threaded end of the bolt with the T-shaped head may comprise a through-hole for introducing of a therein pivotally mounted control stick/grip for insertion of the T- shaped head in the slit-shaped opening in a bottom plate in a relevant column, and subsequent rotation of the T-shaped head to a cross-directed position relative to the orientation of the slit-shaped opening.

Hereby is a correct placement of the T-shaped head of the bolt eased significantly as well as the control stick/grip provides for retaining of the T-shaped head until the nut is clamped sufficient so that the T-shaped head will not pivot in the slit-shaped opening.

For further ensuring of the retaining of the head of the T-shaped bolt, when it is turned in cross position relative to the slit-shaped opening, the against the bottom plate of a relevant column abutting surface of the head of T-shaped bolt might comprise a line shaped protrusion on each side of the body of the bolt.

An initiated clamping of the nut and following the washer on the resting plates will result in that the line shaped protrusion on the T-shaped bolt head as the first will be pressed against the bottom plate in a relevant column, whereby unintended turn of the T-shaped head during clamping of the nut will be counteracted.

Thus by the invention there is provided a fixture for use by transport of said members, which is swifter and easier in use than the known fixtures.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two wind turbine tower sections arranged above each other in a fixture according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is an end view of fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of fig. 1 , seen from the inside of the flanges in the end of the tower sections, but where the conical shaped tubes are hidden, Fig. 4 is a detail view of a console belonging to the fixture seen from same position as in fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a perspective illustration of the depict in fig. 2, but where the upper console is provided with upstanding columns an cross beams for further stabilizing of the upper located tower section against transverse directed forces, Fig. 6 shows the same as fig. 5, but seen from the inside of the tower side, and where the tubes of the tower sections are hidden,

Fig. 7 is a side view of the in fig. 2 shown,

Fig. 8 is a detail-side view of the transition between a console and a column belonging to the fixture according to the invention, Fig. 9 is a perspective illustration of the console shown in fig. 8, where parts of the lower end of the column are made transparent,

Fig. 10 is a detail-perspective view of the console shown in fig. 9, Fig. 11 is an end view of a frame part intended for releaseable attachment to a console belonging to the fixture according to the invention,

Fig, 12 is a detail view of a lower end of a column with a mounted attachment element according to the invention, Fig. 13 is a side view of what is shown in fig. 11 ,

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the upper end of the frame part shown in fig. 11 ,

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the third holding means on a frame part, belonging to the fixture according to the invention,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the frame shown in fig. 11 Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of the first and third holding means belonging to the fixture, shown in fig. 3, fig. 4 and in fig. 13, fig. 15 and fig. 16, according to the invention,

Fig. 18 is a top view of what is shown in fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a side view of what is shown in fig. 17, Fig. 20 is a perspective view of second connection devices for releaseable attachment of mainly horizontal oriented frame parts emerging from the fixture,

Fig. 21 is a side view of what is shown in fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a side view of what is shown in fig. 21 , turned 90°

Fig. 23 is an end view of what is shown in fig. 20, Fig. 24 is a cross-section along the line l-l in fig. 22,

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of angle shaped holding blocks which forms a part of the second holding means belonging to the fixture according to the invention,

Fig. 26 is a side view of what is shown in fig. 25, and Fig. 27 and 28 id end views of what is shown in fig. 25.

In fig. 1 is shown a perspective view of a first and a second wind turbine tower section 2, 2 ^' arranged above each other in fixtures 4 according to the invention. As it can be seen the tower sections has conical shape, and are arranged so that the end 6 with the largest diameter is arranged above the end 8 with the minor diameter of the other section 2 ^' , and the end 10 with the minor diameter of the first section 2 is arranged above the end 12 with the largest diameter of the other section 2 ^' .

In the following there is for the sake of clarity used the denotation "tower section" for members suited to be secured by using the fixture according to the inven- tion. Said members may as well consist of a wing for wind turbine mill, or a hub for a wind turbine mill.

Fig. 2 is an end view by the ends 10, 10 ^' of the tower sections 2, 2 ^' , of a first embodiment of a fixture 4 according to the invention, cf. fig. 1.

The fixture 4 consists in the shown embodiment of a first lower console 14, and a there from upstanding further frame part 16 comprising a first column 18 and a second column 20, which in the shown embodiment are interconnected by a first transverse draw 22 near the foot ends 24, 26 of the columns, and a second transverse draw 28 at the top 30, 32 of the columns 18, 20. The columns are further interconnected by a transverse draw 34 elapsing between the first- and the second transverse draw 22, 28. The fixture comprises further an upper console 36, arranged upon the second transverse draw 28. Further, the ends 10, 6, 13 of the tower sections 2, 2 ^' are indicated in fig. 2.

In fig. 3, the fixture 4, shown in fig. 2 is shown in an enlarged version, seen from the "tower-side", but where the tower walls are hidden for the sake of illustration. However the flanges 38, 40 respectively in the ends 10, 12 of the tower sec- tions 2, 2 ^' are shown.

As it further appears from fig. 3 the console 14 comprises a through-slit- shaped opening 42 located between cross positioning means 44, 46, for passing through of a displaceable mounted first holding device 48 in the form of a bolt 50 or a threaded rod with a nut, the free threaded ends of said bolt or threaded rod is provided with a washer 52 and a nut 54 for clamping of a displaceable mounted first wing shaped holding device 56 on said bolt or threaded rod, for engagement of the avert side 58 relative to the current console 14 of the flange 40 in the end of the tower section 2 ^' , for counteracting of relative displacements between the con- sole 14 and the tower section 2 ^' oriented in the towers length axis 60.

As it further appears from fig. 3, but more clear from fig. 4, the console 14 comprises two in the console pivotal mounted, threaded rods or bolts 62, 64, the free ends of which comprises nuts 66, 68 for clamping of second displaceable holding devices 70, 72 on said rods, for engagement of the against the length axis facing side 74 of said flange on the end of the tower section 2 ^' , for counteracting of a relative horizontal oriented displacement between the tower section 2 ^' and the console 14 in a cross direction of the length axis 60 of the tower section 2 ^' in use.

As it appears from fig. 2 and fig. 5 f.f. the console 14 also comprises first connection means in the form of D-shaped rings 77 for releaseable secure of the fixture (the console 14) to an external structure different from the end of the tower section 2 ^' , par example a ship's deck (not shown) by a not shown lashing material.

The console 14 also includes parts in the form of rest plates 78 which is cooperating with second connection devices 80, c.f. fig. 8, fig. 11 , fig. 13, fig. 14 and fig. 16 for releaseable attachment of first vertically upstanding frame parts 16, as described earlier.

As it further appears from the embodiment of the fixture shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3, the fixture 4 comprises a from the rest plates 78 first upstanding frame part 16 secured to the rest plates by second connection means 80, said frame part 16 comprising two parallel columns 18, 20, which in the shown embodiment are interconnected by a first transverse draw 22 near the foot ends 24, 26 of the columns and a second transverse draw 28 at the top 30, 32 of the columns 18, 20. The columns in the shown embodiment are further interconnected by a sloping transverse draw 34 elapsing between the first and the second transverse draw 22, 28. The fixture includes further an upper console 36 arranged upon the second transverse draw 28. In fig. 2 is further indicated the ends 10, 6, 12 of the tower sections 2, 2 ^' . The upper console 36 is equipped with first- and second holding means and is constructed in the same way as the console 14 therefore is a further description of the console 36 omitted here.

The columns 18, 20 each comprises aligned, parallel through-slit-openings 82, 84 on the side 86 adjacent to the end of the tower section 2, 2 ^' and on the avert facing side 88 relative the end of the member, in said slit-openings is mounted at least one displaceable threaded rod/bolt 90, 92, the first end of which includes a head 94 the diameter of which is larger than the width of the slit-shaped openings 82, 84, said threaded rod/bolt further comprises a powerful washer 96, 98 between the head 94 and the facing surface of the columns 18, 20 to disperse the traction force on the adjacent surface 88 of the columns 18, 20. The other end of the threaded rods/bolts 90, 92 comprises a cooperating nut 100, 102 for clamping of a displaceable mounted third wing shaped holding means 104, 106, the design of which corresponds with the first wing shaped holding means 56, for engagement of the away facing side 58 relative to the second frame part 16 of the flange 40 in the end of the member 2 ^' , for counteracting of a relative horizontal oriented displacement between the member 2 ^' and the fixture 4 in a transverse direction relative to the length axis 60 of the member.

In fig. 5 and fig. 6 is shown perspective view obliquely from behind of a fur- ther embodiment of the fixture 4. The fixture 4 is basically designed as shown in fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4 and as described above. However comprises the embodiment shown in fig. 5 a second upstanding frame part 116 from the rest plates 78, on the upper console 36. The second upstanding frame part is secured to the upper console 36 in the same way as the first frame part 16 is secured to the first lower console 14.

The second upstanding frame part 116 includes, similar to the first upstanding frame part 14, two columns 108, 110, which is interconnected by a first transverse draw 112 and a second transverse draw 114.

The particularity of the second upstanding frame part 116 is that the first transverse draw includes aligned parallel through-slit-openings 118, 120 on the adjacent side 86 to the end 10 of the tower section 2, and on the away facing side 88 relative to the end of the member, said through-slit-openings being oriented transverse and being in connection with the through-slit-openings 122, 124 in the columns 108, 110.

At least one threaded rod/bolt 126, 128 is displaceable mounted in the transverse oriented slit-openings 118, 120, said threaded rod/bolt comprises a head 130 the diameter of which is larger than the breath of the slit-openings 118, 120,

122, 124, said head during use of the fixture through heavy washers 132 is in touch with the away from the tower section 2 facing side 88 of the columns, and the second threaded end of which includes cooperating nuts 134, 136, for clamping on said rods, displaceable mounted, third wing shaped holding means 140, 142 126, 128, the shape of which corresponds with the design of the first wing shaped holding means 56. A heavy washer 144 is arranged between the nuts 134, 136 and the wing shaped holding means 140, 142. The third wing shaped holding means 140, 142 is, as shown in fig. 6, intended for engagement of a flange 38 on the end of the tower section 2 and the fixture 4 in a direction of the length axis 60 ^' of the tower section.

The transverse oriented slit-openings serve to compensate for larger deviations between the diameters of the tower sections at the ends.

The second holding devices 70, 72 for engagement of a flange 40 on the end of the member consists of claws, which in the shown embodiment is designed as angle-shaped blocks, as shown in fig. 25 and fig. 26.

The first leg 146 of the angular shaped blocks includes a through-hole 148 as it appears from fig. 25 and fig. 28, for receiving of the threaded rods/bolts 62, 64 pivotally mounted and anchored in the console 14, so that the angular shaped blocks 70, 72 are displaceable mounted on said threaded rods/bolts 62, 64. The second leg 150 of the angular shaped blocks 70, 72 is as it is shown in fig. 25, fig. 26 and fig. 27 protruding perpendicularly from the first leg 148 which during use is brought in attachment to the against the length axis 60 of the member facing side 74 of the flange 40 in the end of the tower section, and clamped to firm attachment to said side of the flange 40 by a nut 66, 68 in the end of the threaded rod/bolt. Between the nuts 66, 68 and the angular shaped blocks is arranged washers 152 as it appears from fig. 4, for ensuring of a correct location of the blocks during clamping of the nuts 66, 68.

The angular shaped blocks 70, 72 has as it appears from fig. 4, fig. 25 and fig. 26 a plain surface on the away facing side 154 from the flange 40, which during use of the fixture is in engagement with upstanding support plates 156, 158 from the basis of the console. The support plates 156, 158 serves to stabilise the angular shaped blocks engagement against the side 74 of the flange 40, so an approximately perpendicular engagement on said side surface 74 is ensured, also after clamping which takes place exerting a relative high momentum, and during the dynamic effects that an actual tower section 2, 2 ^' , arranged in the fixture is exposed to, during transport, par example as deck load during sea transport.

In fig. 13, fig. 15 and especially in fig. 17, fig. 18 and fig. 19 is shown the first and third wing shaped holding device 56, 104, 106, 140, 142, which in the shown embodiment consists of a wing with a plane pressure plate 160 with a first surface 162 for engagement of a flange 40 in the end of a tower section, and a second surface 164 comprising an upstanding bush 166 from the middle of said surface, for receiving of a bolt or a threaded rod 50, 90, 92, 126, 128, and from said upstanding bush extends from the second surface 164 upstanding plate shaped, similar wedge shaped fish plates 168, 170, the height of which over the second surface 164 is less in the away from the bush 166 facing end 172, 174, where it ends at the edges 176, 178 of the pressure plate 160.

The side edges 180, 182 of the fish plates facing away from the second side surface 164 are connected to a plate 184, 186 extending from the bush and towards the end 172, 174 of the fish plates 168, 170, as it appears from fig. 17, fig. 18 and fig. 19.

By the first and third wing shaped holding means 56, 104, 106, 140, 142, in combination with longitudinal- and transverse tracks in columns 18, 20, 108, 110 and the transverse draws 112, and the in the console 4 pivotally mounted second holding devices 72, 74, there is thus obtained a fixture 4, which in use for transport of members such as tower sections 2, 2 ^' etc. is completely independent of hole patterns in adjacent flanges, and which further allows securing of practically all known dimensions of flanges, and which also allows a quick mounting and attachment of relevant members.

As it appears from fig. 7, and more clearly in fig. 8 showing respectively a side view of the in fig. 1 , fig. 2 and fig. 3 shown fixture 4 and a detail view of the first lower console 14 with the rest plates 78 and the bottom plate 188 on the lower end 24, 26 of the columns 18, 20, the flange 40 is clamped to firm attachment against the columns 18, 20, by clamping of the third wing shaped holding means 104, 106 (c.f. fig. 6). As a result of the conical shape of the tower section, this leads to that the from the console 14 emerging frame part 16 is inclined in an an- gle V ₁ relative to vertical. Similarly it appears from fig. 7 that the upper console 36 by clamping of not shown first holding means forms an angle V ₂ with the transverse draw 28 and by the third holding devices is clamped to firm attachment to the end of the member. The advantages of this are several, but the most important is that the holding means not are loaded so hard dynamically during transport, thanks to the short distance between the anchoring point in the columns and the holding means (not shown). This results in, together with the provided friction between the flange 40 and the columns 18, 20 generated by clamping of the nuts 100, 102, a considerable increased stability during transport of members/tower sections 2, 2 ^' , secured in the fixture 4.

In fig. 11 and fig. 12 is shown an embodiment how the second connection device 80 for releaseable attachment of from the console 14, 36 (c.f. fig. 5) upstanding vertical oriented frame parts 16, 116 are mounted in the bottom plate 188 (c.f. fig. 4), and in fig. 13 and fig. 14 the connection device 80 is shown mounted on a transverse beam 114 on an upper frame part 116.

The connection device 80 includes a clamping locking mechanism comprising a bolt 190 with a mainly T-shaped head 192 as shown in fig. 20 and fig. 21. In use the T-shaped head 192 is introduced and secured in a cooperating slit-shaped opening 194 in the bottom plate 78 in a relevant column 18, 20, 108, 110 shown in fig. 9 and fig. 10. After introducing of the T-shaped bolt head 192 through the slit- shaped opening 194, the bolt is turned 90°, whereby the head 192 is brought in engagement with the avert surface 198 of the bottom plate 78 relative to the plug in side 196 for the bolt.

The bolt 190 with the T-shaped head comprises in the end opposite to the head a free threaded end 200 designed to be introduced in therewith cooperating openings 201 in the rest plates 78 at the edges of the console 14, 36. After insertion of the threaded end in a relevant hole in a relevant rest plate 78, a washer 204 and nut 202 on the threaded end 200 of the bolt, where after the nut 202 is tightened to a preferred torque.

The threaded end 200 of the bolt 190 with the T-shaped head 192 comprises a through-hole 206 as shown in fig. 20, fig. 21 fig. 22 fig. 23 and fig. 24, for introducing of a therein pivotally mounted and axially displaceable control stick/grip 208 c.f. fig. 11 , fig. 12, and fig. 13 for insertion of the T-shaped head 192 in the slit- shaped opening 194 in a bottom plate 78 in a relevant column, and subsequent rotation of the T-shaped head 192 to a cross-directed position relative to the orientation of the slit-shaped opening. The control stick 208 has a blunt protruding end 210 c.f. fig. 11 , fig. 13 and fig. 14, which is bent in an angle relative to the portion of the control stick 208, which is pivotally mounted in the bolt 190. The control stick 208 may as shown in fig. 14 be retained in a slit-shaped opening in the transverse draw 114, whereby the position of T-shaped head with a transverse orientation relative to the slit-shaped opening 194 in the bottom plate 188 of the column, is ensured maintained, also during tightening the nut 202.

As it further appears from fig. 20 and most clearly in fig. 20, the attach sur- face 214, facing the bottom plate 78 of the head 192 of T-shaped bolt, has a line shaped protrusion 216 on each side of the body 218 of the bolt.

It is by the invention recognized that the fixture might realized in other embodiments than those described above, for example the could be operated with an alternative design of the first and third securing means, but that does not change the inventive scope of the invention which is to provide a fixture for retaining of a member such as a section of a wind turbine tower, a wing for a wind turbine or a hub for a wind turbine, which is easy to mount and use, and which further is independent of the hole patterns for relevant flanges in the end of the members which is attached to the fixture.