GB2421490A

GB2421490A - Object handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2421490A
Application number: GB0426811A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Edward Sutheran
Original assignee: KERBLIFT Ltd
Current assignee: KERBLIFT Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-07
Filing date: 2004-12-07
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Also published as: GB0426811D0

Abstract

Apparatus 100 for handling an object, such as a kerbstone (50 figure 5) includes at least one weight bearing portion 102 supporting the object adjacent an edge of its bottom surface and at least one retaining portion 116 movable between a first position retaining the object on the weight bearing portion and a second position in which the object can be removed from the weight bearing portion. The apparatus may include a suspension device 134, by means of which the retaining portion may be maintained in its first position. In the first position the retaining portion 116 may act on an edge of the object opposite to the edge supported by the weight bearing portion 102. The weight bearing portion 102 may comprise at least one adjustable, vertical leg 104 with at least one horizontal foot 112. The weight bearing portion 102 and the retaining portion 116 may pivot relative to the suspension device 134.

Description

Object handling apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus

for handling an object, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for lifting heavy building materials, for example kerbstones, paving slabs and girders.

The manual handling of many building materials can present significant problems due to the weight of the materials in question. Manual handling regulations now being enforced in the UK mean that any one person should not lift more than 20kg and as a result, for a typical 900 mm kerbstone weighing 63 kg, four people are required to lift a single kerb. It is therefore more likely that in the future kerbstones and other heavy materials, will only be lifted with the assistance of a lifting machine. It is therefore necessary to provide apparatus to attach to the object to be lifted and examples of two existing devices are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The lifting device 10 in Figure 1 uses two pads 12 to apply a gripping force to opposing faces of the object being lifted.

The apparatus may be lifted by handles 14 or ring 16 may be attached to a lifting machine such as a wagon mounted electric * hoist or the jib of an excavator. The lifting via handles 14 or ring 16 acts through pivots 18 and arms 20 to cause pads 12 to a...

apply a frictional force to the object being lifted.

However, such a device has a number of disadvantages, for example because the apparatus holds the object being lifted under a frictional force it is not possible to lift wet or greasy objects and the apparatus must be regularly cleaned to ensure that it is grease-free. Furthermore, the device will only act on parallel opposed surfaces and since many kerbstones have a sloping face it is only possible to lift the kerbstone from below this non-vertical face. Similarly, damaged kerbstones can only be lifted from parallel surfaces and therefore this apparatus is unsuitable for remedial works, where damaged kerbstones are replaced, since if damage has occurred in the area around the centre of gravity where the apparatus must engage the kerbstone, the friction of the pads 12 cannot be applied. A further disadvantage of this device is that if remedial works are being carried out on a damaged kerbstone, it is necessary to dig a large hole in the pavement surface next to the kerbstone in order to get arms 20 into position to allow the pads 12 to grip the kerbstone from a pair of parallel planar surfaces. As a result, when the kerbstone has been replaced this hole must be refilled which leaves the pavement with a repair patch on it. Such repairs are generally undesirable and this is particularly the case where a footpath is in place in a new build area and a kerbstone is damaged shortly thereafter which is often the case as heavy building vehicles such as excavators are used as part of the building process.

An alternative handling apparatus 30,shown in Figure 2, is also used for lifting kerbstones. The apparatus 30 has gripping portions 32 which engage the ends of a kerbstone and when handles 34 or loop 36 are lifted, pivots 38 cause gripping portions 32 to move towards each other applying a gripping force to the kerbstone being lifted. A device of this type again relies on friction to grip the object being lifted and the above mentioned problems again apply. In order for this device to be used in remedial works, it is necessary for sufficient gap to have been left between the ends of the kerbstones in order that the gripping portions 32 can be inserted between the kerbstone ends.

Because both of these devices rely on friction to apply the gripping force, in locating the apparatus on the object to be lifted it is necessary to maintain the position of the lifting pads whilst the lift initially takes place. As a result, ft is often necessary for an additional operator to hold the gripping pads in position as the apparatus is initially lifted.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to

overcome problems with the prior art.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for handling an object, the apparatus comprising:- at least one weight bearing portion for supporting an object adjacent a first edge of a lower surface thereof; and at least one retaining portion adapted to move between a first position in which said object is retained on at least one said weight bearing portion and a second position in which said object can be removed from at least one said weight bearing portion.

By providing an object handling apparatus with a weight bearing portion for supporting an object and a retaining portion for holding the object in position, the advantage is provided that the apparatus does not rely on frictional forces to grip the object and as a result it is possible to lift wet or greasy objects. Furthermore, it is also possible to lift objects with damaged and non-parallel surfaces. Another benefit of this apparatus is that it can be provided with a small weight-bearing portion and as a result where remedial work is taking place it is possible to dig a very small hole at the front of a kerbstone, i.e. in the road surface, just sufficient to insert the weight- bearing portion down the side of the kerb and therefore little damage to the pavement surface need occur and very little damage is caused to the pavement. it is also not necessary to leave a specific gap between the ends of the kerbstones in order to insert end gripping parts. A further particular advantage of this apparatus is that because a weight-bearing portion is provided it is not necessary to hold the apparatus in position as the lift initially commences in order to maintain the engagement of the apparatus with the object being lifted. As a result, a single operator using a lifting machine, such as a wagon mounted electric hoist, can locate the apparatus on the object, connect the apparatus to the lifting machine and then operate the lifting machine without the need for an additional person to maintain a frictional force between the apparatus and the object being lifted.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one suspension device for suspending the apparatus.

When the apparatus and object are suspended, at least one said suspension device may cause at least one said retaining portion to be maintained in said first position.

By locking the retaining portion in position as a result of suspending the apparatus, the advantage is provided that the object is automatically locked into the apparatus when the object and apparatus are being lifted and can be freely removed as soon as the weight is no longer being borne by the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment at least one said retaining portion is adapted to act in said first position on a second edge substantially opposite said first edge.

By having the load bearing portion and retaining portions acting on opposite edges of the object being lifted, the advantage is provided that a clamping force can be applied diagonally across the object thereby locking the object in their engagement in the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment at least one said weight bearing portion comprises at least one leg portion in use extending substantially vertically and having at least one foot portion extending substantially horizontally therefrom.

In another preferred embodiment the length of at least one said leg can be adjusted to fit different sized objects.

In a further preferred embodiment at least one said retaining portion is connected to at least one said weight bearing portion via a pivot and both said retaining portion and said weight bearing portions pivot relative to said suspension device.

In a preferred embodiment at least one said suspension device is adapted to slide relative to at least one said weight bearing portion and at least one said retaining portion is adapted to slide relative to at least one said weight bearing portion transverse to a direction of slide of said suspension device, wherein suspension of the apparatus causes said suspension deice to slide relative to said weight bearing : portion and is prevented from further sliding by said retaining portion such that said suspension device traps said retaining portion thereby maintaining said retaining portion in said first a position.

a Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kerbstone handling

device of the prior art;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another kerbstone

handling device of the prior art;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a road and pavement intersection including a kerbstone; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an object handling : apparatus of a second embodiment of the present invention; I..

Figure 9 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a sectional view, along the line XX, of the * apparatus of Figure 8; S. S Figure 11 is a side view of an object handling apparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 12 is a side view of a locking mechanism used in connection with the apparatus of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 3, in which a known kerbstone 50 is shown in a typical known road and footpath construction, the kerbstone 50 has front and rear vertical surfaces 52 and 54, upper and lower surfaces 56 and 58 and a sloping portion 60 extending from the front face 52. The kerbstone 50 also has a broken portion indicated at 62. The kerbstone 50 is set on a concrete foundation 64 and has a concrete backing 66 which are typically set in a dolomite stone base 68 the road and footpath.

On top of the base 68 tarmac road layers 70, 72 and a final road surface 74 are laid to form road 76 and footpath 78 is formed from a first tarmac layer 80 with a final footpath surface 82 located thereon. When remedial work is undertaken to replace kerbstone 50 using the apparatus of the present invention, a trench 84 is dug in the road surface 76.

Referring to Figures 4 - 7, an apparatus 100 for handling an object, for example kerbstone 50, has a weight bearing portion 102 for supporting an object on a lower surface 58 adjacent a first edge 58a. The weight bearing portion 102 has a pair of legs 104 which in use are generally vertical. The legs 104 are in two parts, 106 and 108, having holes 110 therein which have bolts (not shown) extending therethrough and allow the length of the legs to be adjusted dependent on the height of the object to be lifted. The weight bearing portion 102 also has a foot 112 which extends perpendicular to the legs 104. Strengthening cross * S braces 114 are also provided. The apparatus also has a retaining portion 116 which includes an arm 118 having a first end portion 120. Arm 118 is pivotally mounted relative to legs 104 on a :::: pivot axle 122. Arm 118 has a second end portion 124. The apparatus could be hung directly from this end portion 124 although in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second end portion 124 is connected to one of a pair of connecting members 126 and 128 which are in turn connected to each other by a further pivot 130. The connecting member 128 is also connected to a further pivoting axis 132 which is connected to the legs 104 above the first pivoting axis 122. The connecting members 126 and 128 are also connected, at pivot 130, to a connecting portion 134 from which the apparatus may be suspended. A handle 136 on an arm 138, shown in Figures 5 - 7, allows for easy handling away from the operator of the apparatus.

In use, the apparatus ioo is introduced to an object to be lifted, for example a kerbstone 50, such that the foot portion 112 engages the lower surface 58 of kerbstone 50 along one of its edges 58a. Figures 6 and 7 show the apparatus ioo in two different orientations around a kerbstone 50 thereby the foot 112 engaging kerbstone 50 along two different edges of the lower surface 58. As a result, either the front face 52 or rear face 54 runs adjacent the legs 104. Arm 118 is then introduced over the top of the upper surface 56 of kerbstone 50 such that the first end portion 120 extends partially down the other of the front or rear surface 52 or 54 that is not adjacent the leg 104.

As a result, it can be seen in Figures 6 and 7 that the foot 112 and bottom portion of leg 104 are engaged with one edge 58a of block 50 whilst the arm 118 and end portion 120 are engaged with a diagonally opposite edge 56a of kerbstone 50. The suspension device 134 is attached, via rope or chain, to a lifting machine.

:.. Typically this could be a single man operated electric hoist, the :::* lifting arm of an excavator or a block and tackle attached to a frame. The apparatus 100 and kerbstone 50 are then lifted in * direction L and as a result of the lifting force, the arm 118 is caused to pivot so as to press end portion 120 into engagement * with kerbstone 50. Thus, a clamping force is applied between the weight bearing portion and retaining portion 116 so as to maintain kerbstone 50 within the apparatus ioo. The operator is able to manoeuvre the apparatus 100 and kerbstone 50 by pulling or pushing handle 136.

Where the apparatus is used in the remedial work of replacing damaged kerbstones, a small trench, such as that shown at 84 in Figure 3, is dug into the road surface. This hole need only be sufficiently wide for legs 104 and foot 112 to gain access to the lower surface 58 of kerbstone 50. The apparatus is then located into position as described above and the kerbstone can then be lifted and replaced with a new kerbstone.

it should be noted that, as seen in Figures 6 and 7, the orientation of the apparatus relative to the kerbstone 50 does not matter. This is because the pivoting action of the retaining portion 116 enables the device to engage edges of objects in a number of sizes and even where the edge of the object has been damaged.

Referring to Figure 12, a locking device 154 is provided to lock the apparatus ioo around the object 50 thereby preventing retaining portion 116 from moving out of the first position. In Figure 12 the device is demonstrated on an apparatus where the pivot axles 122 and 132 are located substantially in a horizontal plane. The locking is achieved by preventing the connecting members 126 and 128 from moving relative to each other. The locking member 154 is pivotally mounted on axle 122 and has a series of notches 156 which can engage with the axle 132. When the object 50 is to be released from the apparatus ba, end :.: portion 158 is pressed in direction P thereby removing notch 156 S..

from axle 132.

Referring to Figures 8 - 10, in which parts common with those of Figures 4 - 7 are denoted with like-referenced numerals increased by 100, the apparatus 200 works on a similar principle :::: to that previously described in that the weight of an object is *111 borne on weight_bearing portions 202 and is retained in Position by retaining portion 216. Apparatus 200 differs in the way that the retaining portion 216 is maintained in position thereby retaining the object in engagement with the weight_bearing portions 202.

The legs 204 of weight_bearing portion 202 are joined by a connecting bar 240 to the legs 204. The legs 204 may be provided in two parts with holes for receiving connecting bolts as shown in the previous embodiment. The suspension device 234 is connected to a sliding member 242. The sliding member 242 is able to slide relative to legs 204 but is restricted in its movement because it includes restrictors 244 which extend around bar 240 and have upper and lower stops 246 and 248 which limit the movement of the slider 242 relative to bar 240. As a result, the restrictors 244 keep the sliding member 242 and the legs 204 together, preventing them from becoming separated. The sliding member 242 also includes a slot 250 through which arm 218 in use extends.

In use, a kerbstone 50 is brought into engagement with foot 212 in the same way as described for the first embodiment.

Retaining portion 216 can be angled slightly upwards, because slot 250 is larger than the thickness of arm 218 and is brought down into engagement with kerbstone 50 at sloping face 60. This position is maintained until the apparatus 200 and object 50 re lifted. As a lifting force is applied, in direction L, to suspending device 234, the sliding member 242 also moves in ::: direction L. Due to the weight of object 50 the legs 204 and "S connecting bar 240 remain stationary as they are held in engagement with the ground by feet 212. As sliding member 242 * is lifted in direction L, arm 212 comes into engagement with the upper surface of the slot 250 in sliding member 242 as indicated * at 252. This then causes arm 218 to be lifted in direction L until it comes into engagement with connecting bar 240. Further movement of sliding bar 242 is then restricted as a shearing force is applied to arm 212 between the upper surface 252 in slot 250 and the lower surface of connecting bar 240. This shearing force locks arm 218 of retaining portion 216. Referring in particu'ar to Figure 10, because the sliding member 242 is located to the left of Figure 10 and the connecting bar 240 to the right, the shearing force applied to arm 218 causes the retaining portion 216 to move in a clockwise direction causing end portion 220 into close engagement with kerbstone 50. The lower surface of arm 218 may be provided with ridges to assist in maintaining the arm 218 in Position once the object 50 and apparatus 200 have been lifted.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the apparatus may be used in the lifting of other objects, such as paving slabs or girders. Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment suitable for use in lifting paving slabs. This apparatus works as that shown in Figures 8 to 10 and has legs which are long enough to extend across the width of a paving slab. * S * *5. 5.. * . .

I S * . * S * SI..

S *.*.

Claims

1. An apparatus for handling an object, the apparatus comprising: - at

least one weight bearing portion for Supporting an object adjacent a first edge of a lower surface thereof; and at least one retaining portion adapted to move between a first Position in which said object is retained on at least one said weight bearing portion and a second position in which said object can be removed from at least one said weight bearing portion.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one suspension device for suspending the apparatus.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when said apparatus and object are suspended, at least one said suspension device causes at least one said retaining portion to be :::* maintained in said first Position.

4. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said retaining portion is adapted to act in * said first Position on a second edge substantially opposite said first edge. S..

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said weight bearing portion 6comprises at least one leg portion in use extending substantially vertically and having at least one foot portion extending substantially horizontally therefrom.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of at least one said leg can be adjusted to fit different sized objects.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said retaining portion is connected to at least one said weight bearing portion via a pivot and both said retaining portion and said weight bearing portions pivot relative to said suspension device.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one said suspension device is adapted to slide relative to at least one said weight bearing portion and at least one said retaining portion is adapted to slide relative to at least one said weight bearing portion transverse to a direction of slide of said suspension device, wherein suspension of the apparatus causes said suspension device to slide relative to said weight bearing portion and is prevented from further sliding by said retaining portion such that said suspension device traps said retaining portion thereby maintaining said retaining portion in said first Position.

9. An apparatus for handling an object substantialiy as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 to 12 of the accompanying drawings. IS. S...