GB2155319A

GB2155319A - Devices for transporting sheets of material

Info

Publication number: GB2155319A
Application number: GB08503630A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivor Dennis Dugdale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-14
Filing date: 1985-02-13
Publication date: 1985-09-25
Also published as: GB8403816D0; GB8503630D0; GB2155319B

Abstract

A device 1 for manual transportation of a sheet 2 of plaster-board comprises a base structure 3, a sheet support surface 4, a first wall member 5 extending laterally from the support surface 4, and a second wall member 6 also disposed laterally of the support surface 4 to define a channel 7 for receiving the sheet 2 edgewise. A handle 8 enables the device 1 and sheet 2 to be lifted. The wall member 6 carries a pair of guides 18 slidably located by obliquely extending slots in a bottom portion 11 and as the device 1 is lifted, the wall member 6 moves downwardly and inwardly under gravity so that the sheet 2 is held firmly in place between the wall members 5,6. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to devices for transporting sheets of material Background to the invention This invention relates to devices for transporting sheets of material.

As used herein, the term "sheet" includes artifacts employing sheet material. Such artifacts may comprise cupboards as well as sheet-like articles, such as doors, window frames and door frames.

The invention has particular application to the transport of plaster-board, which is sheet material used in the construction of houses and other buildings.

Summaries of the invention According to one aspect of the invention, a device for transporting a sheet of material comprises a base structure, a sheet support surface, a first wall member extending laterally from the support surface, and a second wall member also disposed laterally of the support surface, the arrangement being such that the first wall member, the second wall member and the support surface together define a channel for receiving the sheet edge-wise, lifting means being provided which enable the device and the sheet to be lifted together.

The first and second wall members may be fixed relative to each other.

Alternatively, means may be provided whereby the second wall member is adjustably movable relative to the first wall member, so that the width of the channel may be varied.

According to another aspect of the invention, a device for transporting a sheet of material comprises a base structure, a sheet support surface, a first wall member extending laterally from the support surface, and a second wall member also disposed laterally of the support surface, the arrangement being such that the first wall member, the second wall member and the support surface together define a channel for receiving the sheet edgewise, lifting means being provided which enable the device and the sheet to be lifted together, the second wall member then being movable relative to the first wall member by gravitational forces whereby the width of the channel is reduced.

Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention according to its several aspects will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an end view of a device for transporting plasterboard sheets, Figure 2 is an "exploded" view in perspective, Figure 3 is another, but non "exploded" view in perspective, Figures 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, views similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3, and illustrate one modified form of the device, Figures 7, 8 and 9 are, respectively, views also similar to Figures 1,2 and 3, and illustrate another modified form of the device, and Figure 10 is a side view which illustrates yet a further modified form of the device.

In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features and components.

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a device 1 for manual transportation of a sheet 2 of plasterboard, (Figure 1 only), comprises a base structure 3, a sheet support surface 4, a first wall member 5 extending laterally (and upwardly) from the support surface 4, and a second wall member 6 also disposed laterally (and upwardly) of the support surface 4, the arrangement being such that the first wall member 5, the second wall member 6 and the support surface 4 together define a channel 7 for receiving the sheet 2 edgewise, (as illustrated in Figure 1). Lifting means, comprising a handle 8, is provided which enables the device 1 and sheet 2 to be lifted together.

As explained hereinafter, the second wall member (6) is made movable to the first wall member (5) by gravitational forces, whereby the width of the channel 7 is reduced to substantially the thickness of the sheet 2, so as to hold the sheet 2 firmly in place.

The wall member 5 forms part of the base structure 3, which also incorporates a ramp surface 10 spaced laterally from, and disposed substantially parallel to, the wall member 5, the ramp surface 10 and wall member 5 being interconnected by bottom portion 11 of the base structure.

The support surface 4 is defined by a plate or tongue-like support member 15. The wall member 6 and support member 15 are integral, both forming part of a support structure 16 slidably supported by the bottom portion 11 of the base structure 3 so as to be movable relative to the structure in order to vary the width of the channel 7. The outer side surface of the wall member 6 defines a ramp surface 17. When, as shown in Figure 1, the device 1 rests on a floor 21 or similar support surface, the ramp surfaces 10 and 17 are coextensive.

The lower surface of the support structure 16 carries a pair of laterally-spaced, substantially parallel, guide members 18. The guide members 18 extend downwardly and outwardly (relative to wall member 6) and are slidably located by downwardly and outwardly extending slots 19 (Figure 3) formed in the bottom portion 11 of the base structure 3. A slot 20 is formed in the wall member 5 so as to allow free passage, with small side clearance, of the member 15 when the structure 16 is moved further towards the base structure 3. The slot 20 is formed so as to provide ample clearance between the bottom of the slot and the bottom surface of the member 15.

The handle 8 comprises an outwardly and upwardly extending portion of the base structure 3. A slot 25 is provided so as to allow fingers to be inserted whereby the handle 8 can be grasped firmly, without interference by the sheet 2.

In use, the device 1 is placed on the floor 21 or similar support surface. With the wall members 5 and 6 spaced apart, (as shown in Figure 1), so as to define a maximum-width channel 7, the bottom of the sheet 2 is dragged upwardly over the cooperating ramp surfaces 10, 17, to drop into the channel 7.

The device 1, together with the sheet 2, is then lifted manually by a user, whereby the device is carried in one hand of the user, with the sheet resting on his shoulder.

As the device 1 is lifted, once the guides 18 are free of the floor 21, the weight of the sheet 2, acting on the structure 16, causes the guides 18 to slide downwardly, within the slots 19. These gravitational forces cause the wall member 6 to move inwardly, towards the wall member 5, until arrested by contact with the sheet 2. Thus the width of the channel 7 is reduced to substantially the thickness of the sheet 2 whereby the sheet is held firmly in place.

The downwardly inclined guide members 18 and cooperating downwardly inclined slots 19 within which the guide members slide, comprise cam action means whereby, (under gravitational forces), the wall member 6 is moved towards the wall member 5.

The device la of Figures 4, 5 and 6 comprises a base structure 3a, a support surface 4a, a first wall member 5a extending laterally from the support surface 4a, and a second wall member 6a also disposed laterally of the support surface 4a, so as to define a channel 7a with wall member 5a.

As in the case of the device 1, the wall member 6a of the device la is movable relative to the wall member 5a. The position of wall member 6a can be varied. The wall member 6a carries pegs 40, (Figure 5), locatable by one of a pair of laterallyspaced holes 41 formed in the support member 15a. The arrangement enables the wall member 6a to be detachably secured to the sheet support surface 15a and thus allows sheets of carrying width to be handled.

The support member 15a carries a flap 42 pivotally mounted along the outer edge of the member, so as to be rotatable about axis 43 (Figure 6).

When the device la is resting on the floor or simi lar support surface, the upper surface of the flap 42 is coextensive with the ramp surface 10a so as to form, in effect, an extension thereof.

When the device la is lowered to the floor, contact between the unhinged longitudinal edge of the flap 42 and the floor causes the flap to exert a pushing force whereby the wall member 6a is urged towards the wall member 5a.

With reference to Figure 4, the device 1a may be provided with a lateraily-spaced pair of supports 45 whereby the device is maintained clear of the floor.

This arrangement is particularly useful when doors and other artifacts are required to be held firm and clear of the ground whilst work is performed on them. The supports 45 are releasably fixed to the base structure 3a by means of pegs 46 carried by the supports and located by sockets (not shown) formed in the structure.

The device 1b of Figures 7, 8 and 9 comprises a base structure 3b, a support surface 4b, a first wall member 5b extending laterally from the support surface 4b, and a second wall member 6b also disposed laterally of the support surface 4b, so as to define a channel 7b with wall member 5b.

As in the case of the device 1, the wall member 6b of the device 1b is movable relative to the wall member Sb, whereby the width of channel 7b is varied. However, in the case of the device 1b, although the wall member 6b is adjustably movable, it is not movable by gravitational forces.

Instead, the wall member 6b can only be moved manually, before lifting of a sheet 2 (Figure 1) takes place.

Opposite sides of the base structure 3b define slots 50 of "T"-like section, each of which siidably receives the head (not shown) of a coach bolt 51.

Opposite ends of the wall member 6b carry plates 52, secured to the wall member by screws 53. Each plate 52 is formed with a hole 54 which locates one of the coach bolts 51. Wing nuts 55 are provided to releasably clamp the wall member 6b and base structure 3b together.

In use, the wing nuts 55 are slackened off and the wall member 6b moved towards or away from the wall member 5b so as to vary the width of the channel 7b, in order to suit the particular thickness of the sheet 2, (Figure 1), to be transported.

Figure 10 illustrates a modification wherein the first and second wall members are fixed relative to each other.

With reference to Figure 10, a device 1c comprises a base structure 3c, a sheet support surface 4c, a first wall member Sc extending laterally from the support surface 4c, and a second wall member 6c also disposed laterally of the support surface 4c.

As before, the first wall member 5c, the second wall member 6c and the support surface 4c together define a channel 7c for receiving the sheet 2 edge-wise, (as illustrated in Figure 1), and lifting means, comprising a handle 8, enable the device ic and sheet to be lifted together.

However, in this modification, the second wall member 6c is fixed, (by scsrews 60), to the base structure 3c, whereby the width of the channel 7c is not varied. Instead, the width of the channel 7c is chosen to suit the particular thicknes of the sheet to be transported.

In the case of large and/or heavy sheets, more than one user may be employed, each provided with a device 1, lea, 1b or 1c.

Means may be provided whereby positive clamping forces can be applied to the wall members (5, 5a, Sb; 6, 6a, 6b) of the devices 1, 1a, Ib.

Such devices may comprise releasable clamping devices whereby the wall members function in the manner of the jaws of a bench vice.

In each of the illustrated examples, and taking the device 1 of Figure 1 as an example, the upper surface of the bottom portion 11 defines an angle of substantially 90" with the adjoining (inner) surface of the handle 8. In a non-illustrated modification, to assist a user of the device still further when carrying a sheet, the said upper surface of the portion 11 may be made to define an angle of substantially less than 90 with the adjoining surface of the handle 8. (Say about 80 to 85O). Thus the said upper surface will slope downwardly, towards the handle 8.

Where possible, any of the features disclosed herein may be added to or substituted for any of the other features so disclosed.

A device according to the invention may be carried by a movable structure, for example, a motor vehicle such as a lorry. Relative movement between the first and second wall members may then be performed by non-manual actuating means.

The wall members may be faced with soft material so as to reduce the possibility of damage to sheets carried by the devices.

The invention provides a device for handling and transporting sheets of material whereby the risk of back injury to a person carrying the sheets is substantially reduced.

At the present time, building site workers in particular are prone to back injuries, such as slipped discs, caused by handling sheets of material.

Claims

1. A device for transporting a sheet of material, comprsing a base structure, a sheet support surface, a first wall member extending laterally from the support surface, a second wall member also disposed laterally of the support surface, the arrangement being such that the first wall member, the second wall member and the support surface together define a channel for receiving the sheet edge-wise, lifting means being provided which enable the device and the sheet to be lifted together.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second wall members are fixed relative to each other.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1, provided with means whereby the second wall member is adjustably movable relative to the first wall member, so that the width of the channel may be varied.

4. A device for transporting a sheet of material, comprising a base structure, a sheet support surface, a first wall member extending laterally from the support surface, and a second wall member also disposed laterally of the support surface, the arrangement being such that the first wall member, the second wall member and the support surface together define a channel for receiving the sheet edge-wise, lifting means being provided which enable the device and the sheet to be lifted together, the second wall member then being movable relative to the first wall member by gravitational forces, whereby the width of the channel is reduced.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the sheet support surface is integral with the second wall member so as to be movable therewith.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein cam action means are provided whereby the second wall member is made movable relative to the - first wall member by gravitational forces.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said cam action means comprise downardly inclined guide members movable within downwardly inclined slots.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein two cooperating ramp surfaces are provided, one surface being pivotably connected to the other.

(c) Claims 13-16 above have been renumbered as 9-12.

8. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the lifting means comprise a handle forming part of the base structure.

9. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the second wall member is detachably secured to the sheet support surface.

10. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, provided with at least one ramp surface whereby a sheet can be dragged over the ramp surface and into the channel.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein two cooperating ramp surfaces are provided, one surface being pivotably connected to the other.

12. A device for transporting a sheet of material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A device for transporting a sheet of material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A device for transporting a sheet of material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A device for transporting a sheet of material, substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-12 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A device for transporting a sheet of material, comprising a base structure, a sheet support surface, a first wall member extending laterally from the support surface, and a second wall member also disposed laterally of the support surface, the arrangement being such that the first wall member, the second wall member and the support surface together define a channel for receiving the sheet edge-wise, lifting means being provided which enable the device and the sheet to be lifted together, the second wall member then being movable relative to the first wall member by gravitational forces, whereby the width of the channel is reduced.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sheet support surface is integral with the second wall member so as to be movable therewith.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein cam action means are provided whereby the sec ond wall member is made movable relative to the first wall member by gravitational forces.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said cam action means comprise downwardly inclined guide members movable within downwardly inclined slots.

5. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the lifting means comprise a handle forming part of the base structure.

6. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein the second wall member is detachably secured to the sheet support surface.

7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, provided with at least one ramp surface whereby a sheet can be dragged over the ramp surface and into the channel.