Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting frame for lifting a cargo transportation unit, such as container, the lifting frame comprising a rectangular frame with two sides and two ends, four corners on the bottom plane of the frame, each corner comprising a lifting device for fastening and locking to fastening elements on corners of a top structure of the cargo transportation unit, and lifting devices in the middle of both longitudinal edges of a bottom plane of the frame for fastening and locking to fastening elements in the middle of both longitudinal edges of the top structure of the cargo transportation unit, the lifting devices being arranged in line with the lifting devices in the corners of the bottom plane of the frame. The expression 'top structure" refers herein generally to the structures of the cargo transportation unit that are at the top end of the cargo transportation unit and define the top plane of the cargo transportation unit.

^• [0002] Publication US 7905528 discloses a lifting frame comprising a rectangular frame for lifting a cargo transportation unit. The corners of the frame have lifting devices for fastening and locking to fastening elements on the corners of the top structure of the cargo transportation unit. A problem with this known lifting frame is that it greatly stresses the structure of the container when it is lifted, which is due to the fact that the lifting frame is arranged to lift the container only at its corners. Especially in the case of a long container, 12 m (40 ft.), for instance, extremely high forces are directed to the longitudinal profiles of the container - even when lightly loaded - when it is lifted with a lifting frame. Thus, a loaded container with a mass of a few dozens of tons cannot be lifted with a lifting frame. Even when the container has a strong structure, the standard-strength fastening elements on the top structure of the container do not permit the lifting of a container exceeding approximately 50 tons in total mass with a lifting frame. Therefore, when a container of this type is to be lifted on board a ship, for example, it has to be lifted empty or containing only a light load. Filling the container with a heavy load can only be done after the container has been loaded onto the ship. This means that handling the container and its load is, by necessity, slow.

[0003] Long cargo transportation units, such as containers, having a length of 12 m (40 ft.), are known with adjacent fastening elements in the mid- die of each longitudinal edge of the top structure so that two 6 m (20 ft. ) containers can be fastened in line on top of these cargo transportation units. This type of container is known from publication US 7591386 B2, for instance. Due to the above-mentioned reasons, this type of container, if it is heavily loaded, also cannot successfully be lifted with the lifting frame of publication US 7905528 that comprises lifting devices only on its corners.

[0004] Publication US 32101 3 discloses a lifting frame in accordance with the preamble of the attached claim 1. The lifting devices in the middle of the first longitudinal edge of the lifting frame are at the same height and their relative level cannot be altered. The same applies to the lifting devices in the middle of the second longitudinal edge of the lifting frame. Therefore, the lifting frame is not suitable for lifting a heavily loaded container with fastening elements in the middle of each longitudinal edge of its top structure, the fastening elements being at slightly different heights due to manufacturing reasons. The lifting devices of the lifting frame are also not suitable for lifting containers or other cargo transportation units having standard-type fastening elements on their top structure.

Brief description of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a novel lifting frame that permits the lifting of a heavily loaded cargo transportation unit, such as container or transport cassette, with a top structure comprising standard- strength fastening elements on the corners as well as adjacent fastening elements in the middle of each longitudinal edge, even if the cargo transportation unit were heavily loaded.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a lifting frame that is characterised in that the lifting devices in the middle of each longitudinal edge of the bottom plane of the frame are two adjacent lifting devices arranged in line with the lifting devices on the corners of the bottom plane of the frame in the direction of the longitudinal edges of the frame, and that the lifting frame comprises a adjustment arrangement for altering the relative level of the two adjacent lifting devices on both longitudinal edges of the bottom plane of the frame. The longitudinal edge of the bottom plane of the frame refers to the longitudinal edge of the frame that is or is formed between the lifting devices at the corners of the bottom plane of the frame. The edge of the bottom plane of the frame need not be a physical structure (e.g. beam) but may be made of one (e.g. beam).

[0007] The invention is based on arranging two adjacent lifting devices in the middle of the longitudinal edges of the frame of the lifting frame, in other words, there is a lifting device pair on each longitudinal edge of the frame, and the relative level of two adjacent lifting devices can be separately adjusted in such a manner that the level of each lifting device corresponds to the level of the fastening elements of a cargo transportation unit, whereby the relative level of the lifting devices can be matched to correspond to the level of the adjacent fastening elements in the middle of the top structure of the cargo transportation unit. The level of the lifting devices in the lifting device pairs can thus be adjusted individually on either longitudinal edge of the frame. The adjacent fastening elements in the middle of the top structure of the cargo transportation unit are nearly always at a slightly different height, because it is difficult to manufacture them to have exactly the same height, and the difference in height is a few millimetres in practice. This does not cause problems, if the fastening elements are not used for lifting, but for setting containers on top of the cargo transportation unit. However, even a slight difference in height between adjacent fastening elements would cause big problems, if they were to be used for lifting a heavy cargo transportation unit and lifting devices without the adjustment arrangements according to the invention were fastened on top of them. The drawback is that the lifting device - fastening element pair, in which the fastening element is lower than the one belonging to the adjacent lifting device - fastening element pair, is greatly strained during lifting, but the adjacent lifting device - fastening element pair is not strained at all. If the lifting device - fastening element pairs are of a standard type and if a load of over 15 t is directed to the former lifting device - fastening element pair, it will be damaged. Thanks to the level adjustment of the adjacent lifting devices, an equal force is directed to the adjacent fastening elements during lifting.

[0008] The adjustment arrangements preferably comprise a rocker piece which pivotally is mounted on the frame of the lifting frame and to which the adjacent lifting devices are fastened. The rocker piece is easily produced and very reliable in operation.

[0009] According to a second embodiment, the adjustment arrangements may comprise a hydraulic cylinder device that is arranged to affect the relative level of the adjacent lifting devices. The structure of the hydraulic cylinder device can be made relatively simple, if it comprises two cylinders connected to each other in such a manner that the cylinders form communicating vessels. In such a case, when the lifting frame begins to lift, the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder device sets the lifting devices at a required height so that they cooperate with the fastening elements even if these were at slightly different heights. In the hydraulic cylinder device, the lifting devices do not move at all (horizontally) when lifting in the longitudinal direction of the lifting frame, even though the difference in level between the adjacent fastening elements of the cargo transportation unit differed greatly (e.g. 10 mm), which is why no extra torque or extra harmful shear forces are directed to the lifting devices and fastening elements to cause unnecessary additional load to the lifting devices and the fastening elements.

[0010] The adjacent lifting devices in the middle of the longitudinal edges of the frame of the lifting frame are arranged to move in such a manner that they do not protrude downward from the longitudinal edge of the frame, because then, with the lifting devices aside, the lifting frame can, if necessary, be used to lift cargo transportation units that do not have adjacent fastening element in the middle of the longitudinal edges of the top structures. Adjacent lifting devices may be detachable from the frame.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the lifting device according to the invention are disclosed in the attached dependent claims.

[0012] The lifting frame of the invention provides the advantage that it permits an even lifting of a heavily loaded cargo transportation unit, the top structure of which comprises not only fastening elements on the corners but also adjacent fastening elements in the middle of both longitudinal edges of the top structure, the adjacent fastening elements being at a slightly different height for manufacturing reasons. The even lifting refers to the fact that all fastening elements participate in bearing the load when lifting, and no fastening element or lifting device is unreasonably loaded and, thus, susceptible to damage. Due to said even load, the lifting frame can lift even very heavily loaded cargo transportation units, even if it has, as is highly recommended, standard- type fastening elements. Naturally, the structure of the cargo transportation unit needs to be of a type that bears lifting even when loaded. The lifting frame of the invention permits the lifting of a cargo transportation unit loaded with heavy steel reels, for example, whereby loading the cargo transportation unit loaded with reels on board a ship and off-loading it from the ship can be done very quickly. The cargo transportation unit can be transported to and away from the harbour by a vehicle. The steel reels can be loaded directly onto the cargo transportation unit already at the steel mill and brought to the harbour by a vehicle, and the reels are removed from the cargo transportation unit only at the site of use after the cargo transportation unit has been transported by ship and land transportation vehicles. Thus, the lifting frame of the invention makes it possible to avoid the type of transportation of cargo, such as steel reels, which when using conventional loading arrangements requires that the cargo needs to be lifted several times before it arrives to the final user from a mill, for instance. The lifting frame of the invention can also lift cargo transportation units that are larger than standard-size containers, such as large paper transportation units with a width of twice the width of a standard container and a height 1.5 times the height of a standard container.

Brief description of the figures

[0013] The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of two preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawing, in which

Figures 1 to 3 show a reel transportation cassette liftable by a lifting frame of the invention, as seen from the side, top, and end,

Figures 4 to 6 show a first embodiment of the lifting frame of the invention, as seen from the side, top, and end,

Figures 7 to 9 show the lifting frame of the invention set on the reel transportation cassette according to Figures 1 to 3 for the purpose of lifting it,

Figure 10 shows a locking device for locking the lifting devices belonging to the lifting frame of Figures 4 to 6 to the reel transportation cassette to-be lifted,

Figure 1 1 shows an adjustment arrangement belonging to the lifting frame of Figures 4 to 6,

Figures 12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the lifting frame of the invention, as seen from the side, top, and end,

Figure 15 illustrates a section along line XV - XV of Figure 12, and

Figure 16 shows an adjustment arrangement belonging to the lifting frame of Figures 12 to 14. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] Figure 1 is a side view of a 40-foot (ca. 12 m) long cargo transportation unit 2 loaded with steel reels 1 and of the reel transportation cassette type (later in short also referred to as "cassette"). A longitudinal chute 3 is formed on the reel transportation cassette to receive the reels 1. The dimensions of the bottom structure 4 of the reel transportation cassette correspond to those of a 40-foot standard container. Its width is approximately 8 feet (ca. 2.4 m). The height of the reel transportation cassette preferably corresponds to that of a standard container and is roughly 8 feet (ca. 2.4 m).

[0015] At each corner of the bottom structure 4 of the reel transportation cassette, there are fastening means 5, 6 for fastening the cassette to a base, such as the cargo hold of a ship. Figure 1 only shows the fastening means 5, 6. In the middle of each longitudinal edge of the cassette's bottom structure 4, there are adjacent fastening means 8, 9 for fastening the cassette to a base, such as the deck of a ship (not shown). The fastening means 5 to 9 are of the same type, so-called corner castings, as those used for fastening conventional containers to a base.

[0016] Each corner of the top structure of the reel transportation cassette has fastening elements 10 to 13 that form lifting points for lifting the reel transportation cassette as shown later herein. The top structure comprises opposite longitudinal edges that are formed by an edge defined by the fastening elements 10 and 11 and an edge defined by the fastening elements 12 and 13, respectively. Fastening elements 14, 15 and 16, 17, respectively, side by side in the middle of the edges, form adjacent lifting points, as described later herein. The locations of the fastening elements 10, 14, 17, and 13 correspond to the locations of the fastening elements of a 20-foot standard container (not shown); and the locations of the fastening elements 15, 11 , 12, and 16 also correspond to the locations of the fastening elements of a 20-foot standard container (not shown). The fastening elements 10 to 17 are of the same type, so-called corner castings, as those used in conventional containers. Thus, each fastening element 10 to 17 is of a standard type and dimensioned to permit a lifting force of at most approximately 15 tons.

[0017] The cassette of Figures 1 to 3 weighs approximately 10 tons when empty and with reels 1 approximately 100 tons, and it can be lifted with the lifting frame of Figures 4 to 6. [0018] The lifting frame shown in Figures 4 to 6 comprises a rectangular frame 18 that comprises two sides 19, 20 and two ends 21 , 22. The sides 19, 20 are formed of longitudinal profiles 40 and 41 and the ends of transverse profiles 42, 43. The profiles 40, 41 form the longitudinal edges of the frame 18. The frame 18 also has three transverse profiles 44 to 46 that join the profiles 40 and 41 to each other to stiffen the frame. Each corner of the frame's 18 bottom plane 23 has a lifting device 24 to 27, and in the middle of both longitudinal sides 19, 20, there are two adjacent lifting devices 28, 29 and 30, 31 , respectively.

[0019] The lifting frame of Figures 4 to 6 is set on the cassette of Figures 1 to 3 in such a manner that the lifting device 24 settles on top of the fastening element 10, the lifting device 28 on top of the fastening element 14, the lifting device 29 on top of the fastening element 15, the lifting device 25 on top of the fastening element 11 , the lifting device 26 on top of the fastening element 12, the lifting device 30 on top of the fastening element 16, the lifting device 31 on top of the fastening element 17, and the lifting device 27 on top of the fastening element 13.

[0020] Figures 7 to 9 show a lifting frame set on a cassette. The lifting devices 24 to 31 (Figure 5) of the lifting frame are set to cooperate with the fastening elements 10 to 17 of the cassette by turning the lifting devices in such a manner that they lock onto the fastening elements. The lifting devices 24 to 31 are thus "twist-lock" locking means. The turning and locking are done by twisting the lifting devices 24 to 31 approximately 90 degrees. For this purpose, the lifting devices 24 to 31 of the lifting frame have locking devices that comprise transverse locking rods 70 to 72 and a longitudinal locking rod 73. The transverse locking rods 70 to 72 are arranged to twist the lifting device 28, 29 in such a manner that they lock with the fastening elements 10 to 17 and prevent the lifting off of the lifting devices 24 to 31 from the fastening elements 10 to 17. For twisting the lifting devices 24 to 31 , the locking devices comprise a link mechanism according to Figure 10, with which the triangular flattened bottom pieces of the lifting devices 28, 20 of known design can be turned. The link mechanism comprises a first link part 32 that comprises two links 33, 34, and a second link part 35 that comprises a link 36, and an arm 74 that connects the first link part 32 to the second link part 35. When the locking rod 71 is moved in the direction of arrow A, the lifting devices 28, 29 (Figure 11 ) twist due to the link mechanism in the direction of arrow B. The lifting devices 30 and 31 have corresponding locking devices and link mechanism, in other words, when the locking rod 71 moves, the lifting devices 30, 31 turn. The locking rods 70 and 72 at opposite ends of the lifting frame are arranged to twist the lifting devices 24, 27 and 25, 26, respectively, having link mechanisms connected thereto that comprise link parts that are according to link part 32 and comprise a link that corresponds to the link 33 of the link part 32. The locking rod 73 is preferably fastened to the locking rods 70, 71 , 72, in which case by moving the locking rod 73 cross-wise to its longitudinal direction, that is, in the direction of arrow C (Figure 5), the locking rods 70, 71 , 72 also move. The movement of the locking rods 70 to 73 can be done manually, for instance, or by some other arrangement known per se to a person skilled in the art. Instead of the locking rods 70 to 72, it is possible to use hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric locking devices to turn the lifting devices 24 to 31. In this context, the locking devices or the locking of the lifting devices 24 to 31 to the fastening elements 10 to 17 are not described in more detail, because a person skilled in the art is familiar with locking devices of this type and is also capable of designing locking devices suitable for the purpose.

[0021] Figures 7 and 9 illustrate by a dashed line elongated lifting elements 56 to 58, such as wires, chains, or ropes, that are fastened to fastening points 59 to 62 on the top plane of the lifting frame, see Figures 7 to 9. The fastening points 59 to 62 are fastened to the top plane of the longitudinal profiles 40 and 41 of the frame 18. The fastening points 59 to 62 are preferably lugs that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the frame 18 in such a manner that there is one fastening point in the middle of each lifting device in the corners of the frame and a lifting device pair formed of the adjacent lifting devices. Thus, the fastening point 59 is in the middle of the lifting device 24 and the lifting device pair 28, 29; the fastening point 60 is in the middle of the lifting device 25 and the lifting device pair 28, 29; the fastening point 61 is in the middle of the lifting device 26 and the lifting device pair 30, 31 ; and the fastening point 62 is in the middle of the lifting device 27 and the lifting device pair 30, 31. The fastening points 59 to 62 arranged as described above stress the frame quite evenly during lifting.

[0022] In Figures 7, 8, and 11 , reference numbers 47 and 48 indicate an adjustment arrangement connected to the lifting frame, with which the level of the lifting devices 28 to 31 can be adjusted. The adjustment arrangement 47 makes it possible to alter the relative level of the two adjacent lifting devices 28 and 29 in the middle of the first longitudinal edge (in the middle of profile 40) of the frame 18, and correspondingly, the adjustment arrangement 48 makes it possible to alter the relative level of the two adjacent lifting devices 30 and 31 in the middle of the second longitudinal edge (in the middle of profile 41 ) of the frame. Adjustment arrangements 47 and 48 thus make it possible to alter the relative level of the two adjacent lifting devices in the middle of both longitudinal edges of the frame 18 separately on each longitudinal edge of the frame. Each adjustment arrangement 47, 48 comprises a rocker piece 49, 50 pivotally mounted on the frame 18. The rocker piece 49 is pivotally mounted on an axle 52 on the frame.

[0023] The rocker piece 49 and the lifting devices 28, 29 belonging to it are illustrated in more detail in Figure 1 1. The lifting devices 28, 29 are arranged fixedly but rotatably to the rocker piece 49. In the middle of the rocker piece 49, there is an opening 51 , the wall of which forms a bearing for the axle 52 in the middle of the rocker piece. Due to the pivotal-mounting of the rocker piece 49, the relative level of the lifting devices 28, 29 of the rocker piece can be adjusted by twisting the rocker piece 49. Owing to the fact that the relative level of the lifting devices 28, 29 can be adjusted, the lifting devices can be positioned at the correct location against the fastening elements 14, 15 of the cassette, even though the latter are, due to manufacturing reasons, at slightly different heights, as shown in Figure 11. The fastening element 15 is 5 mm lower than the fastening element 14. When the lifting frame lifts, the rocker piece 49 settles, thanks to its pivotal-mounting, into a position where its lifting devices 28, 29 are at the same height as the fastening elements 14, 15. Thus, even though the fastening element 15 is for example 5 mm lower than the fastening element 14, the lifting device 29 can be fastened at a correct height to the fastening element 15 by twisting the rocker piece 49 approximately one degree clockwise. When the rocker piece 49 twists approximately one degree clockwise, the lifting device 29 descends 5 mm in relation to the lifting device 28. Correspondingly, if the fastening element 14 were lower than the fastening element 15, the rocker piece would twist counter-clockwise. When the lifting devices 28, 29 have been positioned correctly on the fastening elements 14, 15 and the lifting devices have been twisted by means of the locking devices described above to their locking position to the fastening elements 14, 15, the fastening means 14, 15 are loaded evenly, that is equally, when the lifting frame is lifted upward to lift the cargo transportation unit 2. Correspondingly, the lifting devices 30, 31 are fastened to the fastening elements 16, 17 to make the fastening elements 16, 17 load substantially evenly during lifting. When the cassette is lifted, all lifting devices 24 to 31 are naturally fastened to the fastening elements 10 to 17. The lifting devices 24 to 27 in the corners do not require adjustment arrangements to adjust their relative level, because the frame 18 of the lifting frame is so long that, in spite of its rigid structure, it yields as required, when the fastening elements 10 to 13 in the corners of the cargo transportation unit 2 are at slightly different heights. However, the yield of the lifting frame is so small that, without an adjustment arrangement, the adjacent lifting devices 28, 29 cannot move sufficiently to correspond to the adjacent fastening elements 14, 15 at different heights. Because of this and so that the lifting devices and fastening elements would load evenly when the cassette is lifted, the lifting frame of the invention has an adjustment arrangement.

[0024] The rocker piece 49 is triangular in shape and preferably the midpoint of it opening 51 forms an approximately equilateral triangle with the lifting devices 28, 29. Then, if the lifting device 29 moves 5 mm lower than the lifting device 28, the lifting devices 28, 29 move 5 mm to the left at the same time. Standard-type fastening elements 14, 15 permit this type of movement. Instead of comprising an opening 51 for the axle 52, the rocker piece 49 could, differing from the figure, comprise an axle, in which case an opening is formed on the frame 18 to act as a bearing for the axle of the rocker piece.

[0025] The adjustment arrangement for the relative level of the lifting devices 28, 29 described above can be implemented, instead of the shown rocker pieces 49, 50, by hydraulic cylinder devices 49', 50', for example, which are arranged on the lifting frame. This type of hydraulic implementation is illustrated in Figures 12, 15, and 16.

[0026] The reference numbering used in Figures 12 to 16 corresponds to that used in Figures 4, 5, 6, 10, and 11 for corresponding components.

[0027] Figure 15 illustrates a view along section XV-XV of Figure 13. When lifting with the lifting frame, the bottom end of a cylinder 49a' supports itself against a flange 100' in the frame 18'. The bottom end of the cylinder 49a' is convex so that the cylinder may be slightly inclined from the upright position during lifting.

[0028] Figure 16, like Figure 11 , shows the fastening elements 14, 15 of a reel transportation cassette at different heights and an adjustment ar- rangement 47' fastened thereto. In the adjustment arrangement 47' of Figure 16, a hydraulic cylinder device 49' is arranged to set the level of the lifting devices 28', 29' to correspond to that of the fastening elements 14, 15, as described later on. The lifting device 28' is connected to the cylinder 49a' and the lifting device 29' is connected to a cylinder 49b'. Pistons 63a', 63b' reside inside the cylinders 49a", 49b'. The pistons 63a', 63b' are arranged fixedly in view of the lifting devices 28', 29'. Below the pistons 63a', 63b', there are springs 64a', 64b' with their top ends against the pistons and with their bottom ends against the bottoms of the cylinders 49a', 49b'. The cylinders 49a', 49b' are connected to each other in such a manner that the liquid, typically oil, inside them can move from one cylinder to the other, when the relative level of the lifting devices 28', 29' changes. The connection is implemented with a pipe 53', tube or the like that connects the cylinder spaces below the pistons 63a', 63b' to each other. Thus, the cylinders 49a', 49b' are connected to each other to form connecting vessels. In case a large amount of liquid disappears from below the pistons 63a', 63b' due to a malfunction, there are limiters 65a', 65b' inside the cylinders 49a', 49b' to stop the bottom ends of the pistons 63a', 63b' from moving below them. The limiters 65a', 65b' act as a safety measure to stop the frame 18 from bending excessively during a malfunction when lifting a heavy cargo transportation unit. The limiters 65a', 65b' are provided by fastening cylindrical pieces inside the cylinders 49a', 49b'. The adjustment arrangement preferably includes an alarm device (not shown) that gives a warning about such a malfunction.

[0029] The adjustment arrangement of Figure 16 functions in such a manner that the lifting devices 28', 29' of the cylinder device 49' are set into the fastening elements 14, 15 of the cassette. When they are in place, before lifting, the lifting devices 28', 29' are turned with the locking devices (corresponding to those of the implementation of Figures 2 to 10) so that the lifting devices cannot be lifted away from the fastening elements 14, 15. Reference number 74' indicates an arm 74 according to Figures 10 and 11. All other lifting devices 24' to 27' and 29' to 31' of the lifting frame are correspondingly locked before lifting. Before lifting, when the pistons 63a', 63b' are at the same height, the distance of the bottom end of the piston 63b' from the limiter 65b' is at least equal to the difference in height L between the fastening elements 14 and 15. When the lifting of the lifting frame is started, the piston 63b' moves (due to the locking caused by the fastening element 15) downward against the limiter 65b', at which time hydraulic liquid moves from the cylinder 49b' to the cylinder 49a' and the lifting device 28' settles slightly higher than the lifting device 29' so that its level corresponds to that of the fastening element 15. When lifting is continued, the lifting devices 28', 29' are equally loaded as are the fastening elements 14 and 15. The task of the springs 64a', 64b' is to return the pistons 63a', 63b' to the same level, when lifting is stopped and the lifting frame is separate from the cargo transportation unit 2.

[0030] As shown, the cylinder device 49' preferably contains an arrangement for replacing a possible liquid leakage taking place through the pistons 63a', 63b'. Thanks to said arrangement, it is possible to maintain the required lifting function of the lifting frame, even if liquid leakage took place from the cylinder space below the pistons to the cylinder space above the pistons. Liquid is not allowed above the pistons 63a", 63b', because it would stop the pistons from moving upward. For this, said arrangement comprises a pipe 66' or the like that connects the cylinder spaces above the pistons 63a', 63b' to each other. The pipe 66' is connected through a line 80' to an oil container 67', which in turn is connected to the cylinder spaces below the pistons 63a', 63b'. A line 68' connects the oil container 67' to the pipe 53'. In line 68', there is a pump 69', a hand pump, for instance, with which it is possible to replace the possibly leaked liquid. Reference number 81' indicates a check valve.

[0031] The lifting frame lifting devices 30' and 31' have a corresponding adjustment arrangement as the lifting devices 28' and 29' for fastening the lifting devices 30' and 31' to the adjacent fastening elements 16 and 17 of the reel transportation cassette (see the fastening elements 16 and 17 in Figure 2). The lifting devices 30', 31' have corresponding locking devices as the lifting devices 28', 29'.

[0032] The adjacent lifting devices 28 to 31 , 28' to 31' are preferably arranged movable in such a manner that, if desired, they do not protrude from the bottom plane of the frame (reference number 23 in Figure 4 and reference number 23' in Figure 12), because the lifting frame can then also be used to lift empty or lightly loaded cargo transportation units with no adjacent fastening elements in their mid-section. The movability of the lifting devices 28 to 31 , 28' to 31' may be implemented in such a manner, for example, that the adjacent lifting devices are arranged detachable from the frame.

[0033] Above, the invention has been described by referring to examples, which is why it is necessary to state that the invention can be implemented in many ways within the scope of the attached claims. Therefore, the structure of the frame of the lifting frame may vary. The rectangular structure of the frame can be implemented with various lattice structures, of which the one described above is a recommended implementation. The length of the lifting frame need not be 40 feet (12 m), even though this length is, in practice, very recommend- able and important, because it permits the use of the lifting frame with a cargo transportation unit having standard measurements. Differing from the presented embodiments, the adjustment arrangement for adjusting the height of the lifting devices can also be implemented electrically.