Lifting device

Abstract

 The lifting device is suitable for lifting a block of material (21,23), such as a kerbstone, and comprises contact means (15,25,26) arranged to be located under a contact portion of the block such that the block rests on the contact means during lifting. The contact means is connected to a handle (10) which may be gripped by a user for lifting the block. Typically, the device comprises a frame (1), typically of welded metal construction, connecting the handle and contact means.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device, and in particular to a lifting device to aid in lifting an elongate block of material such as a kerbstone or the like.

[0002] Devices intended to aid in the lifting and placement of heavy blocks, such as kerbstones or the like are known. Known devices are relatively complex (such as that shown in, for example, U.S. Patent 4545609) or grip longitudinally opposed ends of the block making it difficult to lay kerbstones or slabs in end to end relationship (such as the devices shown in French Patent Specification 2611771 and British Patent Specification 645790). In the devices referred to lifting force on the block is applied via calliper type actuators acting on opposed sides of the block. This is inherently unsafe. Furthermore, prior art devices often require the application of mechanical force to grip and support the blocks during lifting. For example U.S. Patent 4808062 discloses a complex mechanical device having calliper like grippers which use a hydraulic actuator to hold themselves in a gripping orientation for lifting rocks.

[0003] An improved lifting device has now been devised.

[0004] According to the invention, there is provided a lifting device for lifting a block of material, which device comprises contact means arranged to be located under a contact portion of the block, and handle means spaced from the contact means and arranged to be gripped by a user to lift the device, the contact means being connected to the handle means such that when said device is lifted by the handle means the block can be lifted with said device with the block resting on the contact means.

[0005] It is preferred that the contact means is arranged to be located beneath the block. In certain embodiments the contact means may either comprise an element arranged to be located in a receiving recess in the block; in other embodiments the contact means may be arranged to be located under a formation projecting outwardly from a surface of the block.

[0006] The lifting device is in effect a hand tool, in which the weight of the block is transmitted to the handle means, the device and block being lifted in unison by the handle means. Preferably the handle means is connected to the contact means by frame means comprising at least one frame element. Desirably, the contact means is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from a frame element.

[0007] It is preferred that the handle means is pivotally connected to the frame means; advantageously the handle means may be connected to the frame means in alternative configurations.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment the device comprises at least two relatively spaced contact means arranged to be located under respective relatively spaced contact portions of the block.

[0009] It is preferred that the device comprises securing means movable from a retracted position in which the device can be manoeuvred into position for lifting the block, and a retaining position in which the block is retained to the device by the securing means. Desirably, the securing means comprises an arm pivotally movable between the retaining and retracted positions.

[0010] It is preferred that the device comprises a frame having a pair of spaced substantially parallel elongate limbs provided with respective contact means extending transversely therefrom, a pair of transverse strut members each being connected to a respective limb and extending transversely therefrom, each strut member carrying a respective said locking element.

[0011] Preferably the elongate limbs and the respective locking elements, when orientated in the retaining position, are arranged to lie respectively adjacent opposed sides or faces of the block.

[0012] It is preferred that the elongate limbs and respective transverse strut members are orientated substantially perpendicularly to one another.

[0013] Desirably, the respective elongate limbs, and/or the respective transverse strut members, are connected and spaced by at least one elongate bracing element. The bracing element typically extends substantially perpendicularly to the elongate limbs and/or transverse strut members.

[0014] The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a first embodiment of a lifting device according to the invention in use;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the device of Figures 1 and 2 in use in an alternative lifting configuration;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of a second embodiment of a lifting device according to the invention in use;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of a third embodiment of a lifting device according to the invention in use; and

Figures 6 to 10 are elevations of further alternative embodiments of lifting device in accordance with the invention.

[0015] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figures 1 to 3 in particular, there is shown a device comprising a welded metal frame, generally designated 1, for lifting a block such as a kerbstone 21, channel section 23 or the like. The frame comprises a pair of spaced elongate limbs 14 each connected proximate one of their respective ends to respective transversely extending struts 25. Limbs 14 and struts 25 are interconnected by elongate welded bracing struts 16 and 22 respectively, which serve to add rigidity to the frame. The other respective ends of limbs 14 are provided with respective welded contact plates 15 projecting transversely to locate beneath, and support the kerbstone 21 at an edge thereof.

[0016] Transverse struts 25 are provided proximate their projecting ends with respective elongate securing elements 17 pivotally mounted in respective brackets by means of respective screws 18. One end of each securing element 17 is provided with an abutment nut 19a threaded on a transversely projecting threaded spigot 19 and arranged to project inwardly to abut against a respective chamfered portion 20 of kerbstone 21. In the position shown in Figure 1, the securing element 17 is orientated in its retaining position, in which the kerbstone is to be retained by the device. To release the kerbstone or to permit a kerbstone to be loaded in the device, the securing elements 17 are pivoted through 90° to a retracted position.

[0017] Elongate handle 10 is connected pivotally, by means of struts 11 and pivot formations 12, to transverse struts 25, to enable the device to be conveniently lifted when loaded with a kerbstone or the like. It should be noted that the frame does not engage with the longitudinally opposed ends of the kerbstone, which thereby enables the device to be used when laying kerbstones in end to end relationship.

[0018] Referring to Figure 3 in particular, the handle 10 may alternatively be pivotally connected by struts 11 and pivot formations 12 to the elongate limbs 14. In this configuration, the device is particularly suitable for lifting and placing channel drain sections 23. It should be noted that in the configuration shown, securing element 17 is rotated through 180° from the position shown in Figure 1 to accommodate the non-chamfered edge of the channel drain section 23.

[0019] Referring to Figure 4, the embodiment of the lifting device shown is generally similar to that described in relation to Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment however, limbs 14 are shortened in length, and contact plates 15 replaced with projecting contact lugs 26. In this embodiment, kerbstones 21 are especially adapted with preformed spaced bores 26a arranged to receive respective lugs 26.

[0020] Referring to Figure 5, in the device shown, when the device is lifted by a handle (not shown) connected to pivot formation 12, "L" shaped securing element 24 is caused to pivot in over-centre fashion about pivot 18 to abut the chamfered portion 20 of kerbstone 21. The handle (not shown) is connected to pivot formation 12.

[0021] Referring to Figure 6 in the device shown are provided limbs 14 arrangeable on opposed sides of the block each provided with a respective contact place 15. Limbs 14 are pivotally connected, via pivot points 18 and 12 and intermediate elements, to handle 10.

[0022] The embodiment of lifting device shown in Figure 7 comprises a contact element 15 extending perpendicularly from a support limb 14 which support limb is rigidly connected to a handle 10 having a portion extending along the uppermost surface of the block 21. The block 21 is provided with respective outwardly projecting formations 25 at longitudinally opposed ends under which contact elements 15 are located for lifting. To lift the block shown in Figure 7 a device would need to be used at each longitudinally opposed end of the block.

[0023] The lifting device of Figure 8 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 4, except that in this embodiment there is no securing element corresponding to element 17 of Figure 4.

[0024] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 9, lug 26 is retractable from bore 26a such that the lug 26 acts as retractable securing means.

[0025] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the block 21 is provided with a projecting formation 25 at each longitudinally opposed end (only one end is visible in the drawing). The device comprises respective struts 11 extending downwardly from an elongate handle 10, each strut provided with a transversely projecting contact element 15 locatable under a respective projection 25.

Claims

1. A lifting device for lifting a block of material, which device comprises contact means arranged to be located under a contact portion of the block, and handle means spaced from the contact means and arranged to be gripped by a user to lift the device, the contact means being connected to the handle means such that when said device is lifted by the handle means the block can be lifted with said device with the block resting on the contact means.

2. A lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the contact means is arranged to be located beneath the block.

3. A lifting device according to claim 1 wherein the contact means comprises an element arranged to be located in a receiving recess in the block.

4. A lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the contact means is arranged to be located under a formation projecting outwardly from a surface of the block.

5. A lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle means is connected to the contact means by frame means comprising at least one frame element, the contact means preferably being arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from a frame element, and/or the handle means being pivotally connected to the frame means.

6. A lifting device according to claim 5, wherein the handle means is arranged to be connectable to the frame means in alternative configurations.

7. A lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises at least two relatively spaced contact means arranged to be located under respective relatively spaced contact portions of the block.

8. A lifting device according to any preceding claim further comprising securing means movable from a retraced position in which the device can be manouvered into position for lifting the block, and a retaining position in which the block is retained to the device by the securing means, the securing means preferably comprising an arm pivotally movable between the retaining and retracted positions.

9. A lifting device according to claim 8, wherein device comprises a frame having a pair of spaced substantially parallel elongate limbs provided with respective contact means extending transversely therefrom, a pair of transverse strut members each being connected to a respective limb and extending transversely therefrom, each strut member carrying respective said securing means, the elongate limbs and the respective securing means, when orientated in the retaining position, preferably being arranged to lie respectively adjacent opposed sides or faces of the block.

10. A lifting device according to claim 9, wherein the elongate limbs and respective transverse strut members are orientated substantially perpendicularly to one another, and/or wherein the respective elongate limbs, and/or the respective transverse strut members, are connected and spaced by at least one elongate bracing element.

Drawing