GB2105631A - Handling device for building blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of arms 10 are each arranged to pivot about a respective pivot point for movement relative to an object 1 to be handled, a handle 2 being coupled to each of the arms by means of a respective linkage 4, 6 or 3, 5 such that a movement of the handle in one direction causes the arms to move towards an object to be handled for gripping the object and a movement of the handle in the opposite direction causes the arms to move away from an object being handled for releasing the object. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handling device This invention relates to a device for use in the handling of articles, for example it may be used in the handling of building blocks.

There are certain articles which, because of their shape or size, are not easy to pick-up or carry with one hand and the present invention is concerned with a device which makes more easy the single-handed handling of such articles.

A brick layer experiences little difficulty when iaying standard bricks, which he commonly picks up and lays with one hand, while using a trowel in the other hand to apply mortar in which to bed the brick.

However, in the case of some lightweight concrete blocks, although they are light enough to be a one-hand lift, their width exceeds the convenient span of the human hand such that it is necessary to use two hands in order to lift them and place them in position.

The device to be described below can be employed when building a wall using concrete blocks to lift and position a block using only one hand, in a similar manner to that used in building a wall employing standard bricks.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a device; Figure 2 shows an end elevation of the device in the open position; and Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the device in the closed position.

Referring to the drawings, the device is illustrated in relation to a building block 1 and it comprises a carrying handle 2 from each end of which there extend a pair of link members 3 and 4 which are pivoted about the axis of the handle 2.

Each of the link members 4 is pivotally connected to one end of a respective hinge member 6 and each of the link members 3 is pivotally connected to one end of a hinge member 5. The hinge members 6 are hinged upon a hinge plate 7 at a point along their length which is nearer to the end remote from the handle 2 than the end which is linked to the handle 2. The hinge members 5 are similarly hinged about a hinge plate 8 and the hinge plates 7 and 8 are mounted upon a bearing plate 9. Fixed to the end of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 remote from the handle 2 is a respective grab arm. The grab arms 10 each carry a gripper pad 11 having a suitable face, for example of rubber.It will be seen from Figure 1 that the grab arms 10 are U-shaped and that the gripper pads 11 each extend between the arms of a U and is backed by a metal strap 14 which extends beyond the arms of the U.

Extending from at least one of the members of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 is an opening grip member 12. Preferably, this member 12 links the members of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 respectively. It will also be noted that although in the particular embodiment the bearing plate 9 has a central opening, it could be constituted by a solid plate.

The operation of the device will best be understood by referring to Figures 2 and 3 in which a hand 13 is shown first in Figure 2 drawing together the opening grips 12 in such a way that the grab arms 10 are opened thereby allowing the device to be placed over and onto the building block 1 which is to be lifted and the bearing plate 9 to be placed on the upper surface of the building block 1. It will be seen that the grab arms 10 hinge about the hinge plates 7 and 8 which are fixed to the bearing plate 9 as a result of the force exerted on the opening grips 1 2.

With the device in the position shown in Figure 1, the hand 1 3 is then released from the opening grips 12 and the handle 2 is grasped by the hand 13 in such a way that the hand 2 is given an upward movement, as best seen in Figure 3. This upward movement is transmitted through the link members 3 and 4 via the hinge members 5 and 6, which pivot about pivot points on the hinge plates 7 and 8, to the grab arms 10, thereby causing the grab arms to move inwardly towards the block and the gripper pads 11 to be brought into contact with the side of the block to be lifted.

As the upward movement of the handle 2 is continued, the gripper pads 11 are brought into contact with the respective opposite faces of the block 1 with sufficient force to grip the block and cause it to be lifted with the device. It will be appreciated that the mechanical advantage given by the link and hinge members 3-6 is such that the required gripping force is achieved in a simple manner.

The device is made in comparatively lightweight materials, for example galvanised steel strip.

It will also be appreciated that although the invention has been described, by way of example, with reference to a particular embodiment, variations and modifications of the arrangement shown can be made within the scope of the invention.

It will also be appreciated that although the device is illustrated in its application to the lifting of building blocks, it can be used in lifting other articles and materials which cannot be lifted easily by one hand.

1. A handling device including a pair of arms each arranged to pivot about a respective pivot point for movement relative to an object to be handled, and a handle coupled to each of the arms by means of a respective linkage such that a movement of the handle in one direction causes the arms to move towards an object to be handled for gripping the object and a movement of the handle in the opposite direction causes the arms to move away from an object being handled for releasing the object.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a bearing plate, the said pivot points being provided by hinge plates mounted upon the bearing plate,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Handling device This invention relates to a device for use in the handling of articles, for example it may be used in the handling of building blocks. There are certain articles which, because of their shape or size, are not easy to pick-up or carry with one hand and the present invention is concerned with a device which makes more easy the single-handed handling of such articles. A brick layer experiences little difficulty when iaying standard bricks, which he commonly picks up and lays with one hand, while using a trowel in the other hand to apply mortar in which to bed the brick. However, in the case of some lightweight concrete blocks, although they are light enough to be a one-hand lift, their width exceeds the convenient span of the human hand such that it is necessary to use two hands in order to lift them and place them in position. The device to be described below can be employed when building a wall using concrete blocks to lift and position a block using only one hand, in a similar manner to that used in building a wall employing standard bricks. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a device; Figure 2 shows an end elevation of the device in the open position; and Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the device in the closed position. Referring to the drawings, the device is illustrated in relation to a building block 1 and it comprises a carrying handle 2 from each end of which there extend a pair of link members 3 and 4 which are pivoted about the axis of the handle 2. Each of the link members 4 is pivotally connected to one end of a respective hinge member 6 and each of the link members 3 is pivotally connected to one end of a hinge member 5. The hinge members 6 are hinged upon a hinge plate 7 at a point along their length which is nearer to the end remote from the handle 2 than the end which is linked to the handle 2. The hinge members 5 are similarly hinged about a hinge plate 8 and the hinge plates 7 and 8 are mounted upon a bearing plate 9. Fixed to the end of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 remote from the handle 2 is a respective grab arm. The grab arms 10 each carry a gripper pad 11 having a suitable face, for example of rubber.It will be seen from Figure 1 that the grab arms 10 are U-shaped and that the gripper pads 11 each extend between the arms of a U and is backed by a metal strap 14 which extends beyond the arms of the U. Extending from at least one of the members of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 is an opening grip member 12. Preferably, this member 12 links the members of each pair of hinge members 5 and 6 respectively. It will also be noted that although in the particular embodiment the bearing plate 9 has a central opening, it could be constituted by a solid plate. The operation of the device will best be understood by referring to Figures 2 and 3 in which a hand 13 is shown first in Figure 2 drawing together the opening grips 12 in such a way that the grab arms 10 are opened thereby allowing the device to be placed over and onto the building block 1 which is to be lifted and the bearing plate 9 to be placed on the upper surface of the building block 1. It will be seen that the grab arms 10 hinge about the hinge plates 7 and 8 which are fixed to the bearing plate 9 as a result of the force exerted on the opening grips 1 2. With the device in the position shown in Figure 1, the hand 1 3 is then released from the opening grips 12 and the handle 2 is grasped by the hand 13 in such a way that the hand 2 is given an upward movement, as best seen in Figure 3. This upward movement is transmitted through the link members 3 and 4 via the hinge members 5 and 6, which pivot about pivot points on the hinge plates 7 and 8, to the grab arms 10, thereby causing the grab arms to move inwardly towards the block and the gripper pads 11 to be brought into contact with the side of the block to be lifted. As the upward movement of the handle 2 is continued, the gripper pads 11 are brought into contact with the respective opposite faces of the block 1 with sufficient force to grip the block and cause it to be lifted with the device. It will be appreciated that the mechanical advantage given by the link and hinge members 3-6 is such that the required gripping force is achieved in a simple manner. The device is made in comparatively lightweight materials, for example galvanised steel strip. It will also be appreciated that although the invention has been described, by way of example, with reference to a particular embodiment, variations and modifications of the arrangement shown can be made within the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated that although the device is illustrated in its application to the lifting of building blocks, it can be used in lifting other articles and materials which cannot be lifted easily by one hand. CLAIMS

1. A handling device including a pair of arms each arranged to pivot about a respective pivot point for movement relative to an object to be handled, and a handle coupled to each of the arms by means of a respective linkage such that a movement of the handle in one direction causes the arms to move towards an object to be handled for gripping the object and a movement of the handle in the opposite direction causes the arms to move away from an object being handled for releasing the object.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a bearing plate, the said pivot points being provided by hinge plates mounted upon the bearing plate, and hinge members, the hinge members each being coupled to a respective one of arms for pivoting each arm about a respective pivot point and being pivotally connected to a respective linkage to the handle for coupling the movement of the handle to each of the arms.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 including an opening grip member extending from each of the hinge members in the region of the handle in such a way that movement of the grip member towards each other causes the arms to move awav from object being handled.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including gripper pads positioned on the arms for gripping an object to be handled.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each arm is U-shaped, there being a respective linkage from the handle coupled to each arm of each of the U-shaped arms.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 and 5 wherein the opening grip members are U-shaped.

7. A device as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent upon claim 4 wherein the gripper pads extend between the arms of a respective U-shaped arm.

8. A handling device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.