Guide for a lifting strap and method for lifting a pallet with products using the guide
The guide with an elongated body and end recesses addresses the challenges of space and handling issues, enabling easy and damage-free lifting of sensitive materials using a strap guidance system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ALL EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS BV
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing lifting guides for pallets require significant storage space, are difficult to handle, and are not suitable for lifting sensitive materials without causing damage.
A guide with an elongated body and end recesses, featuring a through-opening and lug for easy strap guidance, made from materials like wood, metal, or plastic, which allows secure and damage-free lifting of sensitive materials.
The guide provides easy installation and removal, reduces storage space, and protects sensitive materials during lifting by ensuring the strap's freedom of movement and secure containment.
Smart Images
Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a guide according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for lifting an object using the guide.
[0002] Such a guide is known in the art. For example, US9701442B1 describes a frame that is placed on top of the object to be lifted and to which lifting straps are attached. The frame has substantially the same dimensions as the object to be lifted. A similar frame is known from US5329682B1, in which lifting straps are guided through the frame and underneath the pallet. Both guides are intended for use in lifting strong materials, such as bricks and similar building blocks.
[0003] Such known devices require considerable storage space and are difficult to handle.
[0004] There is a need in the art for a guide that takes up less space.
[0005] There is also a need for a guide that is easy to handle.
[0006] In addition, there is a need for a guide suitable for moving, and in particular for lifting, sensitive materials-that is, materials that can easily be damaged when subjected to force. For example, but not limited to, there is a need for a guide suitable for lifting plasterboard onto a pallet or similar material without the plasterboard being damaged by a lifting strap.
[0007] The invention now aims to provide an improved guide of the type mentioned in the preamble.
[0008] In particular, the invention aims to provide a guide of the type mentioned in the preamble that can be easily installed and removed.
[0009] The invention also aims to provide an improved guide that can be manufactured cheaply and is reusable.
[0010] To achieve at least one of the aforementioned advantages, the invention, according to a first embodiment, provides a guide that incorporates the features of claim 1. This guide has the advantage that products are not damaged during lifting with a lifting strap.
[0011] The invention therefore relates to a guide for a lifting strap for lifting a platform containing pressure-sensitive material, comprising an elongated body with two opposite ends, the elongated body having a through-opening near a first end and at least one of a through-opening and an end recess near or at the second end, which opening or end recess is designed to guide the lifting strap.
[0012] According to a preferred variant, a lug is provided at at least one of the two ends for placing a loop of the lifting strap around it. This allows the lifting strap and guide to be easily guided under a pallet, making it very easy to prepare for lifting.
[0013] Preferably, the lug is provided at the end of the elongated body that has the through-opening, thus ensuring quick passage of the lifting strap under the pallet and also resulting in a reduced thickness of the guide and lifting strap combination, making it easier to guide both under the pallet.
[0014] The guide according to the invention is provided with an opening that extends from a first major surface of the elongate body to an opposing second major surface of the elongate body and the opening is substantially parallel to two opposing side surfaces of the elongate body. This results in a simple construction where the lifting strap can be easily guided through the opening, and the guide can serve as suitable protection for the products. The lifting strap also has complete freedom of movement within the opening.
[0015] The free movement of the lifting strap within the opening is further ensured when the transition from at least one of the two main surfaces to the opening is a rounded transition.
[0016] The end recess preferably forms a passage from the first major surface of the elongate body to the opposing second major surface of the elongate body.
[0017] The end recess preferably comprises two side elements for guiding the lifting strap between them. The lifting strap is then enclosed in the end recess during use, ensuring a safe and secure lifting operation.
[0018] Further improved guidance and retention of the lifting strap in the end recess is achieved when the side elements are each connected to the elongated body and extend with their free ends from the elongated body, the free ends being at least partially bent.
[0019] The guide according to the invention can be made of natural materials such as wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of two or more thereof. The intended purpose is taken into account when determining the thickness and other dimensions of the guide.
[0020] The invention further relates to an edge guide for guiding a lifting strap for lifting pressure-sensitive material, comprising an L-shaped body formed from two wall elements, which wall elements enclose an internal angle between 60° and 120°, preferably 90°, whereby the edge guide comprises a recess at an external corner for guiding the lifting strap. This allows the product to be lifted to be protected from being cut into by the lifting strap. For example, and preferably, the edge guide can be used in combination with the guide according to the invention, particularly for products that protrude beyond the peripheral edge of the supporting portion of the pallet.
[0021] It is particularly preferred that the end recess forms a passage from the first wall element to the adjacent second wall element, thus providing simple containment of the lifting strap.
[0022] In particular, it is preferred that the end recess include two side elements for guiding the lifting strap between them to achieve the aforementioned effect.
[0023] To optimally secure the lifting strap in the end recess, while still allowing easy insertion and removal, it is preferable that the side elements are each connected to the L-shaped body and their free ends extend from the L-shaped body, the free ends being at least partially bent.
[0024] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for lifting a pallet containing products using the guide according to the invention. The pallet has a first side and an opposite second side, which guide has a first end and an opposite second end, using a lifting strap having a first end and an opposite second end, which method comprises the steps of: a. coupling a first part of a lifting strap to a first end of the guide, whereby the coupling optionally includes passing the first part of the lifting strap through an opening in the guide, b. passing the guide and the first part of the lifting strap under the pallet to a first side of the pallet, c. Passing the first section of the lifting strap through an opening at one end, preferably the first end, of the guide, if this was not done in step a., d. Placing the guide on the products, preferably with the first end of the guide and the first end of the lifting strap located on the first side of the pallet, e. Passing the second section of the lifting strap through an opening or recess on the opposite side of the guide, and f. Joining the two ends of the lifting strap together above the products into a lifting hook for lifting the pallet containing the products to a desired position.
[0025] It is preferable that in step a. the lifting strap is connected to a lug provided at the end of the guide, allowing the flexible lifting strap to be easily carried along with the rigid guide.
[0026] Optimal protection of the products is achieved when the guide extends with a first end beyond the first side of the products and with the opposite second end beyond the second side of the products. This protection is achieved both for products that extend beyond the perimeter of the pallet and for products that are located within the perimeter of the pallet.
[0027] The invention also relates to steps in the method performed after the products have been removed from the pallet, which typically occurs after the pallet containing products has been lowered at its destination, and when the pallet must be moved to the next desired position. The method comprises the following steps : g. Removing one of the first and second parts of the lifting strap from the guide, while keeping the other of the first and second parts of the lifting strap connected to the guide, h. Passing the removed part of the lifting strap under the pallet, and i. Joining the two ends of the lifting strap into a lifting hook for lifting the guide to a desired position.
[0028] Finally, the invention also relates to a combination of a guide according to the invention and a lifting strap for lifting a pallet with products. This allows the method according to the invention to be carried out in a suitable and cost-effective manner.
[0029] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the guide according to the invention, Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the guide according to the invention along A-A, Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the guide according to the invention along B-B, Fig. 4 a perspective view of an application of the guide on a pallet, Fig. 5 another perspective view of an application of the guide on a pallet, Fig. 6 a side view of the guide on a set of carrying elements, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a base guide, and Fig. 8 another perspective view of a base guide.
[0030] In the figures, like parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. However, for simplicity's sake, not all the components necessary for a practical implementation of the invention are shown.
[0031] Fig. 1 shows a guide 1 according to the invention. Guide 1 has an elongated body 2 with a first end 3 and a second end 4. The elongated body comprises a through-opening 5 near the first end 3. An end recess 6 is provided near the second end 4. Both the opening and the recess are designed to accommodate and guide the lifting strap.
[0032] At the first end 3, a lug 7 is provided for placing a loop of the lifting strap around it, as will be explained below.
[0033] Opening 5 extends from a first main surface 8 of elongated body 2 to an opposite second main surface 9 of the elongated body 2, as clearly visible in Fig. 2. Opening 5 runs substantially parallel to two opposite side surfaces 10, 11 of elongated body 2.
[0034] The transition from second main surface 9 to opening 5 is a rounded transition 30.
[0035] End recess 6 forms a passage from the first main surface 8 of elongated body 2 to the opposite second main surface 9 of the elongated body 2. End recess 6 comprises two side elements 12, 13 for guiding the lifting strap to be discussed below.
[0036] The side elements are connected to the elongated body 2 and their free ends 14, 15 extend away from the elongated body 2. Preferably, the free ends 14, 15 of the side elements 12, 13 are slightly bent towards each other, as shown in Fig. 3, which ensures proper retention of the lifting strap in the end recess 6.
[0037] The guide 1 can be made of any suitable material that can absorb and withstand the compressive forces that occur when lifting products. For example, the guide can be made of a natural material such as wood, or of metal or plastic. A combination of two or more of these materials can also be used to manufacture the guide according to the invention.
[0038] The invention further relates to an aid, hereinafter referred to as edge guide 16, which is preferably used in combination with guide 1 according to the invention when the products are not on a pallet or the like with a supporting surface at least as wide as the width of the products placed thereon. Edge guide 16 is shown in Fig. 7 and 8, while its application is shown in Fig. 6.
[0039] To prevent the lifting strap from cutting into the lower products, an edge guide 16 can be advantageously used, comprising an L-shaped body 17 formed from two wall elements 18, 19, which wall elements enclose an internal angle α between 60° and 120°, preferably 90°. Edge guide 16 has a recess 20 at the external corner β for guiding the lifting strap. Recess 20 is enclosed by two side elements or guide walls 21, 22.
[0040] Recess 20 forms a passage around the outer corner β of the first wall element 18 to the adjacent second wall element 19.
[0041] Recess 20 therefore comprises two side elements or guide walls 21, 22 for guiding the lifting strap between them.
[0042] Each of the side elements 21, 22 is connected to the L-shaped body 17 and each extends with its free end from the L-shaped body 17, whereby the free ends are preferably at least partially bent, which ensures that the lifting strap is securely contained in recess 20.
[0043] The invention will be explained below by way of example and with reference to Fig. 4, in which a pallet 23 containing products 24 is lifted using the guide 1 according to the invention. Pallet 23 has a first side 25 and an opposite second side 26. Guide 1 has a first end 3 and an opposite second end 4. Lifting strap 27 has a first end 28 and an opposite second end 29.
[0044] When lifting a pallet containing products, a user first connects a first section 28 of lifting strap 27 to, for example, the second end 4 of guide 1, whereby the connection in this case involves placing an end loop of lifting strap 27 around a side element. In a first alternative manner, the connection can involve passing, for example, the first section of the lifting strap through the opening in guide 1. Alternatively, the lifting strap can be connected to a lug 7 provided at the end of the guide. Guide 1 and the first section of the lifting strap 27 are then guided under the pallet in the direction of arrow C1 to an opposite side of pallet 23, toward C2. The first section of the lifting strap 27 is then passed through an opening at one end 3, preferably the first end, of guide 1, if this was not already done when connecting the lifting strap 27 and guide 1. Guide 1 is then placed on products 24, preferably with the first end of guide 1 and the first end of the lifting strap 27 located on the first side of pallet 23. The other end of the lifting strap 27 is then passed through an opening or recess on the opposite side of guide 1. Finally, the two ends of the lifting strap are joined together above the products in a lifting hook 31 for lifting the pallet with products to a desired position, as shown in Fig. 5. The guide 1 prevents the lifting strap from cutting into the products on the pallet, so that the products are brought to their desired position undamaged.
[0045] The protection of the products is achieved, in particular, when the first end of the guide 1 extends beyond the first side of the products and the opposite second end extends beyond the second side of the products.
[0046] After removing the products from the pallet, the assembly of the lifting strap and pallet can easily be moved from the relevant position to another desired position. This can be done by removing one of the first and second parts of the lifting strap from the guide, while keeping the other of the first and second parts of the lifting strap coupled to the guide, passing the removed part of the lifting strap under the pallet, and joining the two ends of the lifting strap into a lifting hook to lift the guide to a desired position.
[0047] The invention also extends to any combination of features described independently above.
[0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures. The invention is limited only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A guide for a lifting strap for lifting a platform containing pressure-sensitive material, comprising an elongated body with two opposite ends, the elongated body having a through-opening near a first end and at least one of a through-opening and an end recess near or at the second end, which opening or end recess is designed to guide the lifting strap.
2. A guide according to claim 1, wherein a lug is provided at at least one of the two ends for placing a loop of the lifting strap around it.
3. A guide according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug is provided at the end of the elongated body that has the through-opening.
4. The guide of claim 1, wherein the opening extends from a first major surface of the elongate body to an opposing second major surface of the elongate body and the opening is substantially parallel to two opposing side surfaces of the elongate body.
5. A guide as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transition from at least one of the two main surfaces to the opening is a rounded transition.
6. A guide as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end recess forms a passage from the first major surface of the elongate body to the opposing second major surface of the elongate body.
7. Guide according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end recess comprises two side elements for guiding the lifting strap between them.
8. Guide according to claim 7, wherein the side elements are each connected to the elongated body and extend with their free ends from the elongated body, the free ends being at least partially bent.
9. Guide according to any of the preceding claims, made of natural material such as wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of two or more thereof.
10. Edge guide for guiding a lifting strap for lifting pressure-sensitive material, comprising an L-shaped body formed from two wall elements, which wall elements enclose an internal angle α between 60° and 120°, preferably 90°, whereby the edge guide comprises a recess at an external corner β for guiding the lifting strap.
11. Edge guide according to claim 10, wherein the recess forms a passage from the first wall element to the adjacent second wall element.
12. Edge guide according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the recess comprises two side elements for guiding the lifting strap between them.
13. Edge guide according to claim 12, wherein the side elements are each connected to the L-shaped body and their free ends extend from the L-shaped body, the free ends being at least partially bent.
14. Method for lifting a pallet with products using the guide according to any of the preceding claims, which pallet has a first side and an opposite second side, which guide has a first end and an opposite second end, using a lifting strap having a first end and an opposite second end, which method comprises the steps of: a. coupling a first part of a lifting strap to a first end of the guide, whereby the coupling optionally includes passing the first part of the lifting strap through an opening in the guide, b. passing the guide and the first part of the lifting strap under the pallet to a first side of the pallet, c. Passing the first section of the lifting strap through an opening at one end, preferably the first end, of the guide, if this was not done in step a., d. Placing the guide on the products, preferably with the first end of the guide and the first end of the lifting strap located on the first side of the pallet, e. Passing the second section of the lifting strap through an opening or recess on the opposite side of the guide, and f. Joining the two ends of the lifting strap together above the products into a lifting hook for lifting the pallet containing the products to a desired position.
15. Method according to claim 14, wherein in step a. the lifting strap is connected to a lug provided at the end of the guide.
16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the guide extends with a first end beyond the first side of the products and with the opposite second end beyond the second side of the products.
17. Method according to any of claims 14-16, wherein, after lowering the pallet with products at the destination, the following steps are performed: g. Removing one of the first and second parts of the lifting strap from the guide, while keeping the other of the first and second parts of the lifting strap connected to the guide, h. Passing the removed part of the lifting strap under the pallet, and i. Joining the two ends of the lifting strap into a lifting hook for lifting the guide to a desired position.
18. Combination of a guide according to any of claims 1 to 9 and a lifting strap for lifting a pallet with products.
19. Combination of a guide according to any of claims 1 to 9, an edge guide according to any of claims 10-13, and a lifting strap for lifting a pallet with products.