There are different kinds of pallets, transfer platforms and loading platforms for handling of different loads, products and materials, by means of which it is possible to handle even changing loads by means of same devices. For transports, the devices can also be loaded into freight containers that protect the loads from all sides and that are handled for example in harbours. The handling devices are for example different kinds of cranes, lifting devices, transfer carriages and transfer devices the most well known examples of these including forklift trucks and different kinds of devices intended for handling of containers, reach stackers for containers and container straddle carriers.

Loads are handled in many different ways and by means of various apparatuses when they are transferred from the manufacturer to the end user. In production the products are loaded on different kinds of pallets that are loaded up for example into a freight container or into the cargo space of a vehicle. Products are stored temporarily, wherein several loads or containers containing the products are stacked on top of each other. The loads are also protected during storage and transport for example against. weather conditions and to avoid breakage. Thus, for example woven load covers are used. Products are transferred for different purposes and for loading and unloading, wherein the platforms function as different transport and storage racks as well.

The handling devices vary during the storage and transport chain, which restricts the alternatives of useful loading platforms. The transfer of products or materials from one loading platform to another takes time and increases the handling costs. A change may be necessary as an additional work stage, if it is not possible to handle the loading platform with the transfer apparatuses in use, or the storage sets special demands with respect to the size and structure of the loading

platform. It is difficult to meet the needs of the entire storage and transport chain by means of one loading platform.

DE publication 4240612 discloses a conventional loading platform that can be handled easily and lifted up by means of a forklift, and by means of the walls of the loading platform it is easy to protect the products and materials. The platform is intended for handling of light- weight products and the stacking capability depends on the durability of the walls or products. Typically several of these platforms are placed in freight containers. The assembly and removal of the protective walls as well as the loading into the transfer container must be conducted as separate work stages. EP publication 0330573 discloses a loading platform that is also suitable for stacking when pillars are arranged at the corners of the same. The fastening means located at the ends of the pillars are suitable for various known container handling devices.

US patent publication 5404821 also discloses a loading platform with pillars. The pillars contain suitable fastening means which the container handling means grip from above. The long sides of the platform also contain longitudinal beams inside and the forks of the forklift protrude therein, thus making it possible to handle and lift the platform from below by means of the truck.

SE patent publication 510327 discloses a loading platform that can be stacked and that is suitable for container handling devices, said loading platform comprising turnable legs. By means of the legs the platform can be lifted up above the floor level, wherein it is possible to gain access below the platform for example by means of the forks of a forklift. Different kinds of transfer carriages also gain access below the raised platform, and the loading platforms are transported on the support of said carriages. There are also known freight containers that protect the loads from all sides. These are not, however, suitable to be used for example in the production, because the loads must be handled only through the doors of the freight container. On the loading platform according to the SE publication it is possible to load the materials and products from a number of different directions, but the load must be protected by means of separate actions for example with load covers or by means of rigid walls presented in the DE publication.

It is an aim of the present invention to introduce a loading platform that is suitable to be used in different stages of the entire handling and transfer chain. Thus, it is especially taken into account that the loading platform must be suitable for quite different transfer devices and for different storage needs of the handling chain. Special attention is placed on the act of reducing the number of work stages in the unloading and loading of the products, wherein it must be possible especially to protect the products very easily.

The loading platform according to the invention is presented in claim 1.

By means of the invention, considerable advantages are achieved. The loading platform is also suitable to be used in production, for example in a factory, and different kinds of products can be loaded on the platform from above as well as from the sides and the ends. The platforms can be stacked on top of each other, wherein they at the same time constitute a storage. When the dimensions of the platform are arranged in such a manner that they comply to the dimensions of a freight container, and the pillars are equipped with fastening means suitable for quay cranes and other container handling devices, handling can also be conducted successfully in harbours or other storages and storage areas intended for handling of containers. It is always possible to gain access underneath the loading platform with the forks of the forklift, and different kinds of transfer carriages, such as roll trailers, can be driven underneath the platform, wherein the loading platform is lifted up and transferred.

Special advantage is attained because the products and materials are protected at the same time when the platforms are placed on top of each other, wherein separate work stages relating to the protection are avoided. The storage and handling of different kinds of protectors or removable protective structures is not necessary. Product damages can be minimized, because all products are automatically protected in the stacking process at least from the sides, and it is not necessary to separately determine or estimate the need for protection. The location of the protective structures in the platform is such that it does not

complicate the loading and unloading of the products from said platform. The topmost platform in the stacks can be easily protected with a similar empty platform, wherein it is not necessary to manufacture separate cover structures.

Furthermore, it is an advantage that the platform according to the invention functions as a storage rack or transfer rack for the manufacturer or the end user for different purposes. Investments for separate storage shelf structures are not necessary, and only the necessary amount of surface area is allotted for storage at a given time. The invention is especially suitable for handling of heavy and long materials, wherein by way of example it is possible to mention such beams and pipes of steel that can also extend beyond the ends of the platform. The invention is especially suitable to be used together with the transfer device and container crane according to the WO publication 9942323 that moves in the longitudinal direction of the loading platform and loads the platform on its load space, wherein the platform is transferred in the longitudinal direction of the same. Said transfer device is especially suitable for handling of aforementioned long products.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by using as an example a preferred embodiment, wherein reference is at the same time made to the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a short loading platform according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 2 shows a short or long loading platform according to the invention in a side view when several loading platforms have been stacked on top of each other, Fig. 3 shows a long loading platform according to the invention in a top view, and Fig. 4 shows long loading platforms according to the invention when stacked on top of each other.

With reference to Figs 1 to 4, the loading platform 1 comprises a base structure 2 on which different loads, products and materials are supported. During the use and in the stack the base structure 2 is constantly in a horizontal position. The presented loading platform 1 is a structure of metal that is welded to form a continuous rigid structure.

On the base 2 four similar vertical pillar structures 3 are attached, said pillar structures being positioned at the same height with respect to each other, typically in the form of a rectangle. The long side of the rectangle is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the platform 1. When the platform 1 is very short, the pillars 3 can also form the shape of a square. The pillars 3 are located at the corners of the base 2, wherein there is as much space as possible for the materials to be transported, and the base 2 is located between the pillars 3 in an area outlined by the same. In the presented embodiment the beams of the base 2 are attached to the beam of the pillar 3 from the side, but the structure can also be such that the beam of the pillar 3 is attached on top of the beam 8 and/or 9 of the base 2. The pillars 3 are directed upwards from the base 2 and they are equally tall.

The pillar 3 is typically a vertical square beam on whose upper end fastening means 4 for gripping are placed. These fastening means 4 are standard fastenings that are known from freight containers and comply with standard fastenings of freight containers. The fastening means 4 typically comprise a rectangular structure which contains openings directed in the longitudinal direction, in the lateral direction and upward. The means 4 are intended for different kinds of lifting and transfer devices that grip the platform 1 from above. Examples of these lifting devices include container straddle carriers, side reach stackers and other transfer devices for containers. At the same time it is advantageous that the width and length of the platform 1 comply with the standard dimensions of freight containers, and especially that the placement of the means 4 complies with said dimensioning.

The base 2 also comprises two vertical protective wall structures 5 that are located on the two opposite sides of the base 2, said sides being the long sides and longitudinal sides of a rectangle. Both protective

walls 5 are equally tall, they are directed downwards from the base 2 and below the base 2. The platform 1 is supported in a horizontal position by the protective walls 5 when the platform 1 is placed on the ground or on top of a similar platform 1. The height of the protective wall 5 corresponds to the distance between the bases 2 of two similar platforms 1, taking into account the necessary clearances when the two platforms 1 are stacked on top of each other. Thus, there may be a vertical clearance between the superimposed pillars 3, but the upper end of the pillar 3 is, however, positioned in centering means 6. Thus, the protective wall 5 automatically constitutes a solid wall 5 that is as gap-free and rigid as possible and protects the lower platform 1 from the side. It is unnecessary to install separate protectors, and the protective wall 5 does not, however, prevent or disturb the loading of that platform 1 from the side to which the wall 5 is attached. The wall 5 functions efficiently against weather conditions, mechanical stress and impacts. The protective wall 5 is preferably a vertical plate that is rigidly attached below the base 2 and its side beam 8. Vertical reinforcement beams 14 are attached to the protective wall 5. On the lower end of the wall 5 there are several separate flat bar iron elements to compensate the irregularities in the ground or floor. The walls 5 must be positioned as close to the edge as possible, so that the distance of the same would be as large as possible for known transfer carriages.

The protective wall 5 is placed on the same longitudinal line with the pillars 3, wherein the protective wall 5 is positioned between the pillars 3 in the lower platform 1. The loading platforms 1 are stacked on top of each other in such a manner that the pillars 3 are located on the same vertical line. The upper part of the protective wall 5 extends to the pillar 3 in the longitudinal direction and it narrows downwards, so that the stacking would be easier, and the protective wall 5 would not easily hit the pillars 3 of the lower platform 1. At the same time the protective wall 5 gives room for a reinforcement flange 7. There is a reinforcement flange 7 at the foot of the pillar 3, said reinforcement flange being a plate that is positioned vertically in the longitudinal direction. The flange 7 is rigidly attached to the pillar 3 and the base 2, wherein it reinforces the structure. The flange 7 is also provided with an opening in the width direction, which opening can be used for lifting up

the platform 1 for example by means of a hook or a wire. Preferably the reinforcement flange 7 is partly or entirely inclined inwards, wherein it at the same time functions as a guide for the lowered protective wall 5.

Thus, the flange 7 and the protective wall 5 can interlock. The protective wall 5 typically also contains fasteners to which it is possible to fasten the ropes that keep the platform 1 in its place.

It must be possible to handle the platform 1 for example by means of a forklift truck at least when the platform is empty, wherein the protective wall 5 is provided fork openings 12 through which the forks gain access underneath the base 2. The openings 12 are located in the upper part of each protective wall 5, immediately below the edge beam 8 and centrally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base 1. The base 2 rests against the forks when the platform 1 is transported.

It must also be possible to transport the platform 1 on different transfer carriages, wherein the end 13 of the loading platform 1 is open. This makes it possible to drive a carriage underneath the platform 1, said carriage resting on the lower surface of the base 2, thus lifting up the base 1, whereafter it can transport and transfer the platform 1. The transfer carriage is for example an independently moving trailer or alternatively a drawn trailer. The opening 13 is positioned below the base 2 and between the pillars 3 and the protective walls 5. The height of the protective walls 5 is, in fact, arranged in such a manner that the desired transfer carriage can move through the opening below the platform 1. The end 13 of the loading platform 1 is protected in such a manner that a protective wall (not shown in the drawings) is attached between the pillars 3 on the base 2 in the lateral direction, said protective wall being for example a vertical plate. Said protective wall is removable and/or it is attached by means of hinges in such a manner that it is positioned on top of the base 2. Thus, the loads placed on the base 2 of the platform 1 are protected by the protective walls located at the ends of the same platform 1, and the protective walls 5 located on the sides of the upper platform 1.

Typically the base 1 is dimensioned in such a manner that the load bearing capacity of the structure is 30 to 40 tonnes. The length of the

platform typically corresponds to the dimensioning of a short 20 feet (weight as a steel structure approximately 3.4 tonnes) or a long 40 feet (weight as a steel structure approximately 6.6 tonnes) freight container, wherein the width is approximately 2.5 m and the length approximately 6 m or 12 m. The total height of the protective wall 5, the base 2 and the pillar 3 is typically 1.6 m. The height of the pillar 3 is typically slightly below 0.9 m, the height of the protective wall is typically slightly over 0.7 m, and the thickness of the base 2 is approximately 0.2 m.

The distance between the central points of the openings 12 is typically 2.1 m and the size of the openings is approximately 0.4 x 0.2 m.

The lower part of the pillar 3 or the structure of the base 2 located underneath said pillar is arranged in such a manner that the platform 1 can be stacked on top of another similar platform 1. Thus, the protective wall 5 rests on the lower platform 1, on top of the beam 8, wherein the loading is distributed more evenly, and bending forces are not exerted on the pillars 3, but the upper platform 1 can also rest on the support of the pillars 3 of the lower platform 1, but thus for example the beam 8 bends more and the structure must be further reinforced. At the same time bending forces are exerted on the pillar of the lowermost platform 1, because the pillar does not rest directly on the ground. The upper end of the pillar 3 is also arranged in such a manner that on top of or in the vicinity of the same it is possible to place a similar platform 1 and its pillar 3. To make stacking easier, there are centering means 6 fixed underneath the pillar, on the beams of the pillar or the base 2, by means of which centering means the upper end 3 of the pillar of the lower loading platform 1 is received and guided in its place. When the platforms 1 are positioned on top of each other, the centering means 6 prevent the mutual movement of the platforms 1 in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction. For this purpose the means 6 comprise a diagonal guide 15 that extends in the lateral direction further outwards than the pillar 3 in relation to the base 2 and further downwards than the base 2, and an inclined guide 16 that extends in the longitudinal direction further inside than the pillar 3 in relation to the base 2 and also further downwards than the base.

The base structure 2 is a rigid welded steel structure that comprises two longitudinal bearing edge beams that are located outermost in the structure and are positioned between the pillars 3. The edge beams 8 are connected by two end beams 9 in the lateral direction, which are located outermost in the structure and are positioned between the pillars. The structure also comprises several lateral connecting beams 10, which, in turn, are connected by at least two longitudinal connecting beams 11. The beams are typically square beams or H-beams. The base 2 is arranged in such a manner that a structure can be positioned thereon that constitutes a floor that preferably contains no gaps, wherein the lower platforms 1 in the stack of platforms 1 are protected at the same time. The floor is for example composed of one or several steel plates or wood plates.

The invention is not limited solely to the advantageous embodiment presented above, but it may vary within the scope of the appended claims.