EP2800713A1

EP2800713A1 - Transport unit

Info

Publication number: EP2800713A1
Application number: EP13700027.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Langh
Original assignee: Langh Ship Oy AB
Current assignee: Langh Group Oy AB
Priority date: 2012-01-05
Filing date: 2013-01-04
Publication date: 2014-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-04
Also published as: FI125729B; EP2800713B1; FI20125019A7; WO2013102652A1; PL2800713T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport unit, such as a container, comprising a first main part (1), the corners (2 to 4) of which define a main plane (31) which joins to a first side (6) and a second side (7), a first end (8) and a second end (9); and a second main part (10) to be placed against the first main part (1) in order to provide a closed transport unit, the corners (11 to 14) of the second main part (10) defining a main plane (15) which joins to a first side (16) and a second side (17), a first end (18) and a second end (19). To allow the second main part (10) to be easily placed onto the first main part (1), the transport unit comprises guiding devices (22, 23, 28), each one of which comprises a guiding part (24, 25, 29), the guiding parts being arranged to together provide a lateral three-point support to the second main part (10) to centre the second main part (10) to a specific position above the first main part (1), when the second main part (10) has been placed to be supported to the guiding parts (24, 25, 29), the guiding parts being arranged to guide the second main part (10) to set onto the first main part (1) when the second main part (10) is lowered onto the first main part (1) to provide a closed transport unit.

Description

Transport unit

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a transport unit, such as a container, comprising a rectangular first main part and a rectangular second main part, the main parts forming a closed transport unit when they are set opposite to each other. More specifically, the invention relates to a transport unit according to the preamble of accompanying claim 1 .

[0002] Publication US 4144984 discloses a transport unit of the kind in question. The cover structure of the transport unit (cf. "the second main part" of the transport unit) is put in place onto the bottom part of the transport unit (cf. "the first main part" of the transport unit) by means of a fork lift or a crane, for example. The cover structure is difficult to place onto the bottom part, because the cover structure must set into exactly the right position before it can be lowered onto the bottom part. Unless the cover structure, when being lowered onto the bottom part, is above the bottom part in line with it, the cover structure cannot be placed onto to bottom part so as to allow the cover structure to be locked to the bottom part. In practice the positioning of the cover structure in place onto the bottom part is time-consuming and difficult particularly if an attempt is made to put the cover structure in place by a crane. When suspended from a crane, the cover structure swings easily and therefore additional manpower is needed to guide the cover structure onto the bottom part. Especially if the cover structure is subjected to wind forces while being moved by the crane, it may swing which complicates its positioning.

Brief description of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a new transport unit that eliminates the above-mentioned problem and greatly facilitates the positioning of its first main part onto its second main part by a crane, or the like, for providing a closed transport unit.

[0004] This object is achieved by a transport unit characterized by what is stated in the accompanying claim 1 .

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of providing "a three-point support" for the cover structure ("the second main part") of the transport unit by means of guiding devices belonging to the transport unit in order to facilitate the mounting of the cover structure onto the bottom part ("the first main part"). The cover structure is easy to position towards the guiding devices into said three-point support in the horizontal direction, by means of a crane even, so that it sets into a specific position above the bottom part. When the cover structure is lowered from said position, the guiding devices allow it to set correctly (in the right position and to the correct location) onto the bottom part. The subsequent locking of the cover structure to the bottom part is easy if the transport unit in question is, as usual, lockable.

[0006] The transport unit is preferably provided with movable guiding parts, as disclosed in one of the accompanying claims, which ensures that they do not rise above the fastening members of the upper main part (the cover structure) or a container at the top end of the transport unit, which would prevent a second transport unit from being placed onto the transport unit. When the dimensions of the transport unit correspond to those of a standard container, which is to be recommended, containers of standard dimensions may be placed onto the transport unit.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the transport unit are disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[0008] The major advantage of the transport unit of the invention is that its main parts are easy to place one against the other for providing a closed transport unit, even when the work is carried out using a crane. The work may be accomplished by a crane in a harbour, for example, even on a windy weather without additional manpower.

Brief description of the figures

[0009] The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of three embodiments and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a transport unit of the invention and how a closed transport unit is formed of its cover structure and bottom part for roll cargo;

Figure 3 is a view along arrow A of Figure 1 , i.e. a view in the longitudinal direction of the bottom part seen from an end of the bottom part of the transport unit;

Figure 4 shows an end associated with the bottom part of the transport unit of Figure 1 seen from above and guiding devices belonging to the transport unit; Figure 5 illustrates a section along line V - V of Figure 4, i.e. a sectional side view of an end and a guiding device attached thereto;

Figures 6 to 9 are enlarged views of the guiding device of Figure 5 from different angles;

Figure 10 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 1 1 shows a bottom part of the embodiment of Figure 10 when seen from a first end;

Figure 12 shows the end of Figure 1 1 from above;

Figure 13 illustrates a corner of a second end and a second side associated with the embodiment of Figure 10 viewed towards the second side; and

Figures 14 to 18 illustrate a third embodiment of the transport unit.

Detailed description of the invention

[0010] Figure 1 shows a container of the invention. Steel rolls 100 are loaded onto a rectangular box-shaped first main part, or bottom part 1 , of the container, a rectangular box-shaped second main part, or cover structure 10, being brought towards the bottom part 1 by a crane.

[0011] The bottom part 1 comprises four corners 2, 3, 4, one corner remaining hidden in Figure 1 , but seen in Figures 13 and 15 as corners 5' and 5". The corners 2, 3, 4 define a planar main plane 31 , which is the bottom plane of the container. From the main plane 31 upwards extend sides 6, 7 facing each other and defining longitudinal sides of the transport unit, and perpendicularly to these are ends 8, 9 facing each other.

[0012] The cover structure 10 comprises four corners 1 1 to 14 that define a planar main plane 15. From the edges of the main plane 15 downwards extend sides 16, 17 facing each other and perpendicularly to these are ends 18, 19 facing each other. Reference numerals 101 and 102 denote gripping points formed to the cover structure 10 for grippers 104, 105 of a gripping device 103.

[0013] Arranged to the side 7 of the bottom part 1 , on a second longitudinal side thereof, are arranged guiding devices 22 and 23. Although the guiding devices 22, 23 are fastened to the corners of the bottom part 1 and, in a way, to the ends 8, 9, they are, nevertheless, guiding devices associated with the side 7 because they provide the cover structure 10 with support and guidance on the side of the bottom part 1 , i.e. the side 7, and not on the ends 8, 9. The guiding devices 22, 23 are at opposite ends of the side 7, but their location along the side could be somewhat different and yet the guidance function described below would be achieved. In addition, the end 8 is provided with a guiding device 28. The guiding devices 22, 23 comprise a guiding part 24, 25 which moves in a vertical direction and whose top end 26, 27 is at a distance L1 from the main plane 31 , i.e. from the bottom plane of the container. The distance L1 is greater than the maximum height of the side 6, i.e. the longest distance L2 of the side 6 from the bottom plane 31 and greater than the maximum height of the end 9, i.e. the longest distance L3 of the end 9 from the bottom plane 31 . Correspondingly, the guiding device 28 comprises a guiding part 29 which moves in the vertical direction and the top end 30 of which is at a distance L4 (height L4) from the main plane 31 . The distance L4 is greater than the longest distance L2 of the side 6 from the bottom plane 31 and greater than the longest distance L3 of the end 9 from the bottom plane 31 .

[0014] The above-mentioned guiding devices 22, 23, 28 allow the cover structure 10 to be moved substantially horizontally from the position of Figure 1 against the bottom part 1 in such a manner that the side 17 and the end 18 of the cover structure 10 are first placed against the guiding parts 24, 25 and 29 of the guiding devices 22, 23, 28. The cover structure 10 is placed to the correct position above the bottom part 1 by moving it in the lateral direction close to the bottom part 1 so that close to its bottom edge, the side 17 of the cover structure 10 comes into contact with the guiding parts 24 and 25 and its end 8 comes into contact with the guiding part 29. As seen in the vertical direction, the bottom edge of the sides 16, 17 (cf. reference numeral 21 in Figure 1 ) of the cover structure 10 is below the (free) top ends 26, 27, 30 of the guiding parts 24, 25, 29. The guiding parts 24, 25 and 29 prevent the cover structure 10 from moving to the "wrong" side of the bottom part 1 , i.e. so that the side 17 of the cover structure would move to the wrong side of the side 7 of the bottom part 1 or the end 18 of the cover structure would move to the wrong side of the end 8 of the bottom part 1 . In other words, the guiding parts 24, 25, 29 first act as stoppers of a kind. When the cover structure 10 has been set to "a three-point support" against the guiding parts 24, 25, 29, as described above, the cover structure 10 may be lowered guided by the guiding parts 24, 25, 29 in the correct centre position against the bottom part 1 . The expression "three-point support" used above naturally means that the side 17 and the end 18 of the cover structure 10 are supported at three points to the guiding parts 24, 25, 29. Since the guiding parts 24, 25, 29 are planar elements, the cover structure supports against the surface and therefore the support is not literally of a point support type. Figure 2 illustrates the lowering of the cover structure 10 onto the bottom part 1 . The bottom part 1 comprises a stopper surface 20 encircling the bottom part 1 in a circular manner. Correspondingly, the cover structure 10 comprises a circular stopper surface 21 . When the stopper surfaces 20, 21 face each other, the cover structure 10 is positioned correctly (centrally) onto the bottom part 1 and the cover structure 10 may be locked to the bottom part 1 . The stopper surfaces 20 and 21 typically provide a sealing surface that prevents water from entering the container. The locking mechanism of the cover structure 10 and the bottom part 1 is not described in this context, because it is easy to implement for a skilled professional and, in addition, prior art knows suitable locking mechanisms that may be used for the locking in question.

[0015] When the cover structure 10 is lowered onto the bottom part 1 , a stopper means 32 at the end 18 of the cover part 10 presses the guiding part 29 of the guiding device 28 downwards so that its top end 30 sets at a shortened distance from the main plane 31 of the bottom part 1 . The shortened distance is as long as the longest distance L6 of the end 8 from the bottom plane 31 , i.e. the maximum height L6 of the end 8, at the most. Correspondingly, when the cover structure 10 is lowered onto the bottom part 1 , stopper means 33, 34 (in Figure 2 the stopper means 34 is hidden behind the stopper means 33) provided on the side 17 of the cover structure press the guiding parts 24, 25 of the guiding devices 22, 23 downwards so that their top ends 26, 27 set at a shortened distance from the main plane 31 of the bottom part 1 . The shortened distance is as long as the longest distance L5 of the side 7 from the bottom plane, i.e. the maximum height L5 of the side 7, at the most. Since the guiding devices 22, 23, 28 are on the outer surface of the bottom part 1 and the stopper means on the outer surface of the cover structure 10, the guiding parts do not take space inside the container and are not in the way when the container is being loaded.

[0016] The container of Figure 2 comprises fastening means 106 arranged to the mid-point of the containers, two of them being provided in the middle of both sides 6, 7. Corresponding fastening means are provided at each four corners 2 to 4 of the container, the bottom plane 31 thus having eight fastening means. On the top end of the bottom part 1 there are also eight fas- tening means 107 for receiving a container (not shown) to be placed above the container. The fastening means 107 are vertically aligned with the fastening means 106. If the container is 40 feet long, one 40-feet container or two 20- feet containers in line after one another may be placed immediately thereon.

[0017] When the cover structure 10 has been lowered onto the bottom part 1 , a second container (not shown) may be placed onto the container, the second container being fastened to the fastening means at the top corners of the bottom part. The guiding devices 22, 23, 28 are not in the way because their guiding parts 24, 25, 29 have been pushed downwards to a shortened distance so that the top ends 26, 27 of the guiding parts 24, 25 are not above the container fastening means 107 at the top end of the side 7 or the top end 30 of the guiding part 29 is not above the fastening means 107 at the top end of the end 8, as disclosed above.

[0018] Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1 .

[0019] Figure 4 is an end view seen from above of the bottom part 1 , i.e. in the direction of arrow B of Figure 1 .

[0020] Figure 5 shows a section along section line V-V of Figure 4.

[0021] Figures 6 to 9 are enlarged views of the guiding device 22 of Figure 5 from different angles. The guiding device 22 comprises a movably arranged guiding part 24 and a frame which in Figures 1 to 5 is fastened to the end 8. The guiding part 24 is a plate-like element preferably made of steel of high strength, such as spring steel. Spring steel is hard and able to bend in a flexible manner without permanently changing its shape. This is important because the guiding part 24 is subjected to great loads and in practice the guiding part 24 must be relatively small. The edges of the guiding part 24 receive support from grooves 35, 36 made to the frame, the grooves being best seen in Figure 9 which is a top view of the guiding device 22. The guiding part 24 is provided with extension springs 37 attached thereto, the other end of the springs being attached to the frame of the guiding part. When the guiding part 24 is pressed downwards and the frame of the guiding part remains in place, the extension springs 37 become tensioned. The more the guiding part 24 is pressed downwards, the more the extension springs 37 become tensioned. When the cover structure 10 of the container is placed onto the bottom part 1 , the stopper means 32 (see Figures 1 to 3) presses the guiding part 24 downwards. When the cover structure 10 is lifted off the bottom part 1 , the extension springs 37 load the guiding part 24 so that it moves to the position shown in the figures. In the figures the top end 26 of the guiding part is about 300mnn above the corner formed by the end 8 and the side 7 (i.e. L1 to L5 = ca. 300mm) and when the cover structure 10 has been placed onto the bottom part 1 , the top end 26 moves downward for about 300mm (i.e. sets to a height corresponding to the dimension L5) so that it is not in the way if a second container (not shown) is to be loaded onto the container. Spring loading may be achieved in a manner different from the one in the figures: the number of the extension springs 37 and the spring type may also vary.

[0022] The structure and operation of the guiding device 23 correspond to the structure and operation of the guiding device 22.

[0023] When the cover structure 10 is lifted straight up from on top of the bottom part 1 , the guiding parts 24, 25, 29 and the free ends 26, 27 and 30 of the guiding devices 22, 23, 28 rise to the position shown in Figure 1 .

[0024] The structure and operation of the guiding device 28 also correspond to those of the guiding devices 22 and 23. The guiding device 28 is not necessarily exactly at the same height as the guiding devices 22 and 23, as is seen in the figures, and its dimensions may differ slightly from those of the guiding devices 22 and 23. The frame part of the guiding device may also typically differ from that of the guiding parts 22 and 23 because the guiding device 28 is typically fastened to a structure of slightly different design than the structure to which the guiding devices 22 and 23 are fastened.

[0025] Figures 10 to 13 illustrate a second embodiment of the transport unit. The structure of the transport unit corresponds to the structure of the transport unit of Figure 1 , but for the sake of simplicity some of the common structures (such as the second end of the bottom part 1 and the second end of the cover structure 10) appearing from Figure 1 have not been drawn in Figure 10. Figure 1 1 shows a view of a bottom part 1 ' of the transport unit seen from an end 8'. Figure 12 is a top view of the end 8' of Figure 1 1 , a guiding device 28' associated and fastened thereto but associated with a side 7' of the bottom part 1 ' and a guiding device 22' located on a side 7' of the bottom part 1 (cf. Figures 14 and 15). Figure 13 illustrates a corner of a second end 19' and a second side T of the bottom part of the transport unit belonging to the embodiment of Figure 10. Figures 10 to 13 use the same reference numbers as Figures 1 to 9 for the corresponding parts.

[0026] The embodiment of Figures 10 to 13 differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9 in the details of implementation of the guiding devices 22', 23' and 28'. The guiding device 23' belongs to the embodiment of Figure 10, although it is not shown in the conceptual drawing of Figure 10 but in Figure 13, where it is fastened to a top corner of the end 9' by a beam-like frame part 1 10' so that it is located on the side 7' of the bottom part 1 ' of the transport unit, cf. the guiding device 23 of Figure 1 .

[0027] The guiding devices 22', 23', 28' comprise a link 40', 41 ', 42' allowing the guiding parts 24', 25', 29' of the guiding devices 22', 23', 28' to turn when the cover structure 10' is placed onto the bottom part. The guiding parts 24' and 25' are made to turn by two stopper means on the side 17' of the cover structure 10', Figure 10 only showing the stopper means 33' capable of pressing the guiding part 24' downwards. At the second end of the side 17' of the cover structure 10', there is provided a second stopper means (not seen in the figures) close to the end (not seen in the figures) facing the end 18', the second stopper means (not seen in the figures) corresponding to the stopper means 34 in Figure 1 (cf. Figure 3 where the stopper means 34 is behind the stopper means 33). The first end 18' of the cover structure 10' is provided with a stopper means 32' pressing the guiding part 29' of the guiding device 28' downwards when the cover structure 10' is lowered onto the bottom part. In the embodiment of Figures 10 to 13 the guiding parts 24', 25', 29' are associated with counterweight pieces 43', 44', 45' placed on opposite side of the links 40', 41 ', 42' in relation to the guiding parts 24', 25', 29'. Because of the counterweight pieces 43', 44', 45', no springs are needed for turning the guiding parts 24', 25', 29' up to the position shown in Figures 1 to 13 (cf. the springs 37 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9). Thanks to the counterweight pieces 43', 44', 45', the top ends 26', 27', 30' of the guiding parts 24', 25', 29' set/return above the sides and the ends of the bottom part of the transport unit when the cover structure 10' is lifted off the bottom part. The counterweight pieces 43', 44', 45' are associated with weights 46', 47', 48' for keeping counterweight pieces small in length and size. The guiding parts 22', 23', 28' are at an angle to the vertical line of the container (transport unit) and preferably rounded at their top ends 26', 27', 30' to facilitate their turning into a desired direction when the cover structure 10' is placed onto the bottom part 1 '. The embodiment of Figures 10 to 13 is suitable for use in a transport unit with space for the counterweight pieces 43', 44', 45' and for their turning.

[0028] Figures 14 to 18 show a third embodiment of the invention with guiding devices that differ from those of Figures 1 to 13. Figures 14 to 18 use corresponding reference numbers as Figures 1 to 13 for the corresponding parts. Figure 14 illustrates a section along line XIV - XIV of Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 shows a bottom part 1 " seen from an end 8"; Figure 16 is a top view of the end 8" of Figure 15; Figure 17 illustrates a corner of a second end 9" and a second side 7" of the bottom part when seen towards the side 7"; and Figure 18 shows a cover part 10".

[0029] The embodiment of Figures 14 to 18 differs from the embodiment of Figure 1 in that the guiding devices 22", 23", 28" comprise a link 40", 41 ", 42" corresponding to Figures 10 to 13, and from the embodiment of Figures 10 to

13 in that it does not comprise counterweight pieces but springs 37" for returning the guiding parts 24", 25", 29" to the top position shown in Figures 14 to 17, when the cover structure has been detached from the bottom part (cf. the springs 37 of Figures 6 to 8). The location of the guiding device 23" of Figures

14 to 18 corresponds to that of the guiding device 23 in Figure 1 .

[0030] The invention is described above with reference to examples and it is therefore to be noted that the details of the invention may differ in many ways from what is disclosed in the accompanying claims. Hence the exact location and number of the guiding devices may vary. Although in Figure 1 the guiding device 22 is close to the end 8, a different position fairly distant from the end 8 is possible, e.g. in the middle of the length of the side 7. The same applies to the guiding device 23. In principle the guiding devices 22 and 23 may be anywhere along the end 8 but for a good support to be provided, the guiding devices 22 and 23 are not to be placed very close to one another. Likewise, the location of the guiding device 28 does not need to be close to the first side 6 but it may be on the side of the end 8 closer to the side 7 than to the side 6, cf. Figures 12 and 16. The shape and structure of the bottom part and the shape and structure of the cover part influence the location and number of the guiding devices. It is conceivable that the guiding devices 22, 23, 28 are not arranged to the bottom part but to the cover part or that some of the guiding devices are on the bottom part and others on the cover structure. The guiding parts of the guiding devices do not necessarily need to be movable. However, a major advantage of movable guiding parts is that they are easy to place to most diverse transport units so that they are not in the way outside or inside the transport unit. If movable guiding devices are used, their implementation may differ from what is disclosed: for example, they may be telescopic parts or provided with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, in which case no spring loading is used (cf. the springs 37). Instead of the disclosed case-like cover, the cover structure 10 may be planar in shape, in which case the height of the sides and/or the ends is extremely small and corresponds to the thickness of the planar structure. The same applies to the bottom part 1 . The structure of the main parts (the bottom part and the cover part) of the transport unit may vary: the container fastening means may be at the top end of the cover structure instead of being at the top end of the bottom part.

Claims

1 . A transport unit, such as a container, comprising a rectangular first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") whose corners (2 to 4, 2', 3', 5', 2", 3", 5") define a planar main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") that joins to a longitudinal first side (6, 6', 6") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") and a second side (7, 7', 7") facing the first side and a first end (8, 8', 8") which is at a right-angle to the longitudinal direction of the first main part (1 ) and to the sides (6, 7, 6', 7', 6", 7") and a second end (9, 9' 9") facing the first end; and a rectangular second main part (10, 10', 10") to be placed against the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") in order to provide a closed transport unit, the second main part (10, 10', 10") having corners (1 1 to 14, 1 1 ', 12', 1 1 ", 12", 13", 14") that define a planar main plane (15, 15', 15") that joins to a longitudinal first side (16, 16', 16") of the second main part (10, 10', 10") and a second side (17, 17', 17") facing the first side and a first end (18, 18', 18") that is at a right-angle to the longitudinal direction of the second main part (10, 10', 10") and to the sides (16, 17, 16', 17', 16", 17") and a second end (19, 19") facing the first end, characterized in that the transport unit comprises guiding devices (22, 23, 28, 22', 23', 28', 22", 23", 28"), each one of which comprises a guiding part (24, 25, 29, 24', 25', 29', 24", 25", 29"), the guiding parts being arranged to together provide a horizontal three-point support for the second main part (10, 10', 10") that is separate from the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 "), the second main part being supported by said three-point support above the first main part at a specific centred position in relation to the first main part so that the second main part (10, 10', 10") is prevented from moving in the horizontal direction towards the guiding parts (24, 25, 29, 24', 25', 29', 24", 25", 29") but is allowed to move in horizontal direction away from the guiding parts so that the second main part (10, 10', 10") moves away from the centred position and away from the three-point support, the guiding parts (24, 25, 29, 24', 25', 29' 24", 25", 29") being arranged to guide the second main part (10, 10', 10") from the centred position and to set onto the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") when the second main part (10, 10') is lowered onto the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") in order to provide a closed transport unit.

2. A transport unit as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the second side (7, 7', 7") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") and the second side (17, 17', 17") of the second main part (10, 10', 10") together comprise two guiding devices (22, 23, 22', 23', 22", 23") and the first end (8, 8', 8") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") and the first end (18, 18', 18") of the second main part (10, 10', 10") together comprise a guiding device (28, 28', 28") for providing the three- point support.

3. A transport unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second side (7, 7', 7") of the first main part (1 , V, 1 ") when separated from the second main part (10, 10', 10") comprises at least two guiding devices (22, 23, 22', 23', 22", 23"), each one of which comprises a guiding part (24, 25, 24', 25', 24", 25") the distance (L1 ) of whose free end (26, 27, 26', 27', 26", 27") from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is greater than the maximum height (L2) of the first side (6, 6', 6") and greater than the maximum height (L3) of the second end (9, 9', 9") and that the first end (8, 8', 8") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") comprises a guiding device (28, 28', 28"), which comprises a guiding part (29, 29' 29") the distance (L4) of the free end (30, 30', 30") of which from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is greater than the maximum height (L2) of the first side (6, 6', 6") and greater than the maximum height (L3) of the second end (9, 9', 9").

4. A transport unit as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the guiding parts (24, 25, 24', 25', 24", 25") on the second side (7, 7', 7") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") are formed so as to move from a first position in which their free end (26, 27, 26', 27', 26", 27") is at said distance (L1 ) from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") to a second position in which the ends (26, 27, 26', 27', 26", 27") set at a shortened distance (L5) from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 "), the shortened distance (L5) corresponding at the most to the maximum height (L5) of the second side (7, 7', 7"), and in that the guiding part (29, 29', 29") at the first end (8, 8', 8") is formed to move from a first position in which its free end (30, 30', 30") is at said distance (L4) from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") to a second position in which said end sets at a shortened distance (L6) from the main plane (31 , 31 ', 31 ") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 "), the shortened distance (L6) corresponding at the most to the maximum height (L6) of the first end (8, 8', 8") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ").

5. A transport unit as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the second main part (10, 10', 10") comprises stopper means (32, 33, 34, 32', 33', 34', 32", 33", 34") for moving the ends (26, 27, 30, 26', 27', 30', 26", 27", 30") of the guiding parts (24, 25, 29, 24', 25', 29', 24", 25", 29") to the second position when the second main part (10, 10', 10") sets against the first main part

(1 , 1 ', 1 ")-

6. A transport unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the ends (26, 27, 30, 26", 27", 30") of the guiding parts (24, 25, 29, 24", 25", 29") are loaded by springs (37, 37"), spring force moving them from said second position to said first position, when the second main part (10, 10") is moved away from the first main part (1 , 1 ").

7. A transport unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the ends (26", 27", 30") of the guiding parts (24", 25", 29") are loaded by springs (37") and arranged to turn on links (40", 41 ", 42") under the influence of the spring force of the springs (37") belonging to the guiding devices (22", 23", 28").

8. A transport unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the guiding parts (24', 25', 29') are arranged to turn on links (40', 41 ', 42') and that the ends (26', 27', 30') of the guiding parts (24', 25', 29') are arranged to move under the influence of a force created by the counterweight pieces (43', 44', 45') belonging to the guiding devices (22', 23', 28') from said second position to said first position, when the second main part (10') is moved away from the first main part (1 ').

9. A transport unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guiding parts (24, 25, 29, 24', 25', 29', 24", 25", 29") of the guiding devices (22, 23, 28, 22', 23', 28', 22", 23", 28") comprise a planar element made of spring steel.

10. A transport unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the guiding parts (24, 25, 29) of the guiding devices (22, 23, 28) are planar elements made of spring steel and arranged to move perpendicularly in relation to the main plane (31 ) of the first main part (1 ) guided by grooves (35, 36) of the guiding devices (22, 23, 28), the grooves receiving edges of the planar element.

1 1 . A transport unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the stopper means (32, 32', 32") for moving the end (30, 30', 30") of the guiding device (28, 28', 28") of the first end (8, 8', 8") is arranged to the outer surface of the first end (18, 18', 18") of the second main part (10, 10', 10") and that the stopper means (33, 34, 33', 33", 34") for moving the ends (26, 27, 26', 27', 26", 27") of the guiding devices (22, 23, 22', 23', 22", 23") on the second side (7, 7', 7") of the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") are arranged to the outer surface of the second side (17, 17', 17") of the second main part (10, 10', 10").

12. A transport unit as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that the first main part (1 , 1 ', 1 ") is the bottom part of the transport unit and that the second main part (10, 10', 10") is the cover part of the transport unit.