Plate lifting device
The plate lifting device stabilizes heavy panels by distributing weight through a four-point mechanism, ensuring stability and accuracy during placement, and facilitating easy adjustment and storage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing plate lifting devices become unstable when carrying relatively heavy panels, particularly when their weight exceeds a certain threshold, leading to potential oscillation and instability during placement.
The device incorporates an adjustable support at the lower end of the mast, allowing it to switch between a retracted, support, and deployed position, distributing the load through the base and arms, ensuring stability by engaging with the ground when necessary, and utilizing a telescopic mast with a four-point weight distribution mechanism.
The solution provides enhanced stability and accuracy in holding heavy panels in the raised position, preventing oscillation and maintaining mobility, while allowing easy adjustment and compact storage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Plate lifting device FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a panel lifting device for presenting cladding panels for installation, having: a telescopic mast connected to a wheeled base and a panel-holding frame connected by an adjustable joint to the upper end of the mast, and a lifting mechanism for the telescopic mast. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
[0002] Such a plate-lifting device is known according to document FR 3 021 684.
[0003] A panel lifting device is also known according to document FR 82 21 795, which describes a device for lifting and installing cladding or insulation panels on a ceiling or wall. It consists of a telescopic mast made up of several sections and supported by a wheeled base. The mast is equipped with a panel-holding frame consisting of a width-adjustable assembly generally shaped like an H. The mast is extended by a mechanism comprising a winch connected by a cable to the sections of the telescopic mast. The base of this mast is retractable in that the legs of the base, equipped with wheels, are supported by a collar that slides on the mast and locks in the extended or retracted position.The legs of the base are connected by connecting rods to a fixed point on the mast so that the sliding of the collar and the legs carrying the casters results in the legs folding close to the mast in transport position, or deploying them, as far away from the mast as possible for fixed or mobile use of the device.
[0004] However, plate lifters can be unstable in the deployed position when the plate to be installed is relatively heavy, or at least when its weight exceeds a certain threshold. The weight of the plates varies considerably, ranging from very light to relatively heavy, depending on the materials they are made of.
[0005] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention aims to develop a plate lifting device of the type defined above offering better stability, particularly when a relatively heavy plate carried by the device is in the raised position, for placement.
[0007] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a plate lifting device of the type defined above, characterized in that the lower end of the mast is provided with an adjustable support between a deployed position, a retracted position, and, between them, a support position, the retracted position being the position of the support out of contact with the ground regardless of the load installed on the plate-bearing frame, the support position being the adjusted position, lowered relative to the ground so as to only rest on the ground under the effect of a load installed on the plate-bearing frame and which is greater than a threshold, to support the mast under the effect of the deflection of the base.
[0009] The plate lifting device according to the invention has the advantage of being particularly stable for the placement of plates of a certain weight, since the load is distributed both by the support of the base directly on the ground, which receives a fraction of the plate's load, and by the support of the arms at their ends. This four-point weight distribution is a particularly effective solution that does not reduce the mobility of the plate lifting device for positioning it in the appropriate location.
[0010] This load distribution on the plate prevents the oscillation of the mast which, in the absence of the central support, would be caused by the variable deflection of the three arms of the base. In other words, the invention prevents the cumulative instability of the arms, that is, the deflection of one arm subjected to a greater load than the other two. Transferring part of the load to the upright prevents the upright connected to the flexing arms from fluttering.
[0011] This also improves the accuracy of holding the plate in the raised position.
[0012] According to one feature, the adjustable support includes a mushroom carried by a rod engaged in the lower end of the mast, and positioned in a fixed manner in the mast to adjust the height of the mushroom's bearing surface relative to the ground.
[0013] This form of embodiment of the adjustable support is particularly simple to make and use.
[0014] The adjustable support is accessible and easily adjustable.
[0015] The installation of the adjustable support is facilitated if the rod is equipped with a stop limiting the movement of the adjustable support towards the support position.
[0016] According to a particularly advantageous solution, the rod of the adjustable support is a threaded rod, screwed into a bearing at the lower end of the mast.
[0017] According to another advantageous feature, the telescopic mast is formed of a lower element, an intermediate element and an upper element made up of telescopic tubes of polygonal section in particular square, engaged one into the other, the upper element being engaged in an adjustable manner in the intermediate element.
[0018] According to another advantageous feature, the lifting mechanism consists of a pinion cooperating with a rack of the intermediate element, the pinion being carried by an axle equipped with an actuating member.
[0019] This mechanism allows a multiplication of the movement, that is to say a reduction of the effort for lifting the plate-carrying frame loaded with the plate.
[0020] According to an advantageous feature, the upper end of the lower element of the mast has a handle for moving or holding the device. This handle, located under the frame, supports plate is thus close to the load, that is to say the plate placed on the frame, whether the frame is still in the lowered position or already in the raised position.
[0021] According to another advantageous feature, the device comprises a base formed of a front arm fixed relative to the mast and two lateral arms mounted pivoting at the base of the mast, being connected by connecting rods, in an articulated manner to a sliding sleeve engaged on the fixed arm and locked in the set position.
[0022] This type of base has the advantage of being compact for transporting or storing the device.
[0023] According to another advantageous feature, the sliding sleeve locks onto the fixed front arm. This allows the spacing of the two auxiliary arms to be adjusted, for example, on cluttered ground.
[0024] According to another advantageous feature, the plate-carrying frame comprises a main tube which is a double tube receiving separately by sliding an auxiliary tube for each side of the frame and forming the main branch of the frame, this main tube being connected by a joint to the upper element of the mast, a cross member at the end of each auxiliary tube, a central cross member attached to the main tube and, a T-shaped extension of the central cross member.
[0025] This type of plate-support frame has the advantage of providing a particularly stable support for the plate, which is thus held flat, preventing it from flexing between the two end supports formed by the crossbars. Brief description of the drawings
[0026] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a plate-lifting device shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] [Fig-1] Perspective view of a plate-lifting device according to the invention,
[0028] [Fig.2] Perspective view of a plate-lifting device carrying a plate to be installed,
[0029] [Fig.3] Detailed view of the lower part of the lifting mast,
[0030] [Fig.4] Detailed view of different positions of the adjustable support.
[0031] DESCRIPTION OF AN IMPLEMENTATION METHOD
[0032] According to [Fig. 1], the invention relates to a plate lifting device 1 for carrying and presenting plates for installation. This height-adjustable plate lifting device 1 consists of a telescopic mast 10 equipped with a lifting mechanism 20; the upper end of the mast 10 is connected to a plate-holding frame 30; the mast rests on a base 40 fixed to the lower end of the mast.
[0033] The telescopic mast 10 consists of a lower element 11, the lower end 11b of which, constituting the lower end of the mast 10, is connected to the base 40; the upper end 11b carries the lifting mechanism 20 for actuating an intermediate element 12 itself supports an upper element 13 to which the plate-bearing frame 30 is connected. The lower element 11, the intermediate element 12, and the upper element 13 are tubes telescopically engaged with one another. The tubes forming the mast have a polygonal cross-section, specifically a square cross-section, so as to be rotationally rigid. The upper element 13 is adjustablely engaged in the intermediate element 12 at various positions defined by adjustment holes or notches in the upper element 13, with a locking pin located at the upper end of the intermediate element 12.
[0034] The plate-carrying frame 30, connected by an adjustable joint 34 to the end of the upper element 13, comprises a main arm 31 carrying, at both ends, a cross member 32 equipped with a stop 33. The main arm 31 is preferably telescopic, formed of a double main tube 311 receiving two auxiliary tubes 312, each attached to a cross member 32 so as to adjust the spacing of the cross members 32 according to the size of the plates. The adjustable joint 34 is lockable, which allows the plate-carrying frame 30 to be tilted relative to the mast 10.
[0035] The lifting mechanism 20 consists of a rack made on the intermediate element 12 and a pinion housed in the casing 21 of the mechanism 20, meshing with the rack to deploy or retract the intermediate element 12 and adjust the height of the frame 30. For this purpose, the mechanism 20 cooperating with the intermediate element 12 includes a crank to actuate the pinion and a lock blocking the movement in the desired position.
[0036] The top 1 of the lower element 11 is provided with an operating handle 22 for pulling or pushing the plate lifting device.
[0037] The base 40 of the device is an articulated base consisting of a front arm 41 fixed relative to the mast 10 and two lateral arms 42 mounted pivoting relative to the mast. The pivoted position is adjustable and lockable.
[0038] The fixed front arm 41 is a tube, preferably with a square cross-section, one end of which is engaged in a horizontal tubular end piece 411, integral with the lower end 11b of the element 11. On its sides, the lower end 11b is provided with two brackets 46 forming the articulation of the corresponding end of each of the side arms 42. The ends of the arms 41 and 42 are provided with a swiveling caster 43 equipped with a brake for locking the caster. The side arms 42 are each connected by a connecting rod 44 to a sleeve 45 sliding on the front arm 4L.
[0039] This sliding sleeve 45 laterally carries two yokes 46 receiving, by means of an articulation, the other end of each of the connecting rods 44. The sliding sleeve 45 locks itself in the chosen sliding position on the front arm 41, preferably in the equiangular position of the arms 41, 42 making an angle of 120° between them.
[0040] The arm 41 is preferably directed forward relative to the transverse orientation of the frame 30 and the plate P which the frame receives so that the operator can approach the frame 30 in the angular sector delimited by the two arms 42. This also facilitates access to the handle 36 fixed below the end of the central cross member 35 which extends on the other side of the main arm 311 by a T-shaped extension 37; this extension, like the central cross member 35, serves as an intermediate support for the plate received by the frame 30. Thus, the plate is supported in its middle by the cross member formed by the elements 311, 35, 37 and at the ends by the cross members 32.
[0041] The rectangular frame 30 has its center O vertically aligned with the upright 10 so that the whole is balanced with respect to the upright 10.
[0042] The central cross member 35 is preferably retractable by tilting or detaching a sleeve attached to the tube 311 to reduce the overall size for transport and storage of the device. The main tube 311 is, as already mentioned, preferably a double tube that separately receives, in a telescopic fashion, an extendable auxiliary tube 312. Preferably, the length of the double tube 311 allows it to accommodate the length of the auxiliary tube 312 in its retracted position and also the transverse extension of the tube 312, retaining it over a sufficient length for the cross member 32 to hold the plate at its end.
[0043] The articulation mechanism of the base 40 comprises the two yokes 46 of the lateral arms 42, supported by the lower end 11b of the lower element 11 and the tubular end 411 integral with the lower element 11 and receiving the front arm 41 constituting the rail for the sliding sleeve 45 to which the front end of the connecting rods 44 is articulated; their rear end is articulated to each of the lateral arms 42. The sliding sleeve 45 can advance freely on the front arm 41 to bring the lateral arms 42 closer together and reduce their spacing until they fold against the front arm 41. In the position shown in [Fig. 1], the sliding sleeve 45 is located near the mast 10.
[0044] According to [Fig.1] and the detail view of [Fig.3], the lower end of the mast 10 (in the case of the example, it is the lower end 11b of the lower tube 11) is equipped with an adjustable support 50 consisting of a mushroom 51 carried by a rod 52 housed in a bearing 53 fixed to the mast 10.
[0045] The support 50 is adjustable between a retracted position PE ([Fig.3]) and a deployed position PD preceded by a support position PS of the support.
[0046] A bearing 53 is fixed to the lower part of the tube 11 to receive the rod 52. In one embodiment, the rod 52 is threaded and the bearing 53 has a threaded hole 531. The top of the rod 53 preferably has a stop 521 limiting its extended position PD, corresponding, for example, to the bearing position of the mushroom 51 on the ground S when the device is not charged. It can also be a position slightly above the ground S to allow easy movement of the uncharged device 1.
[0047] Figure 2 shows a plate P installed on the device 1. The stops 33, at the end (high or front) of each cross member 32 allows the plate P to be positioned correctly on the frame 3 and the absence of a stop 33, at the other end of each cross member 32 facilitates the placement of the plate P by sliding it on the cross members 32 as well as the reverse operation of removing the plate.
[0048] The intermediate supports of the crossbar of the elements 35, 37 facilitate the sliding of the plate P. When the plate P is on the frame 30, the handle 36 remains easily accessible for holding or moving the device.
[0049] Figure 4, in its parts AD, shows the different positions that can be taken The adjustable support 50. The unladen height Hv is, for example, the line HLv passing under the arms 41, 42.
[0050] In the unloaded, retracted PE position which corresponds to part A, the support 50 is at height H0 and the underside of the upright 10(11) is at level No.
[0051] Part B shows the adjustable support 50 in support position PS at height Hl, the underside of the upright 10(11) being at level No since, by assumption, the device is not loaded.
[0052] Part C shows the loaded apparatus: the arms are at height Hch below height Hv; the support 50 is against the ground S and the underside of the upright 10 (11) has descended to level NI.
[0053] The load is assumed to be greater than the specified threshold. Part D shows the device with the support 50 in the deployed position PD in contact with the ground S. The arms 41, 42 are at height Hv.
[0054] The support position PS allows the load of the device to be distributed between the arms 41, 42 supported on the ground by the rollers 43 and the upright 10 (11) at its vertical or near this vertical is the center of gravity of the plate P which, depending on the case, may be a load greater than the fixed threshold resulting in the bending of the arms 41, 42 and the support 50 coming into contact with the ground S.
[0055] In this case, the load is distributed over four support points, which stabilizes the device by eliminating any potential swaying that could exist due to the elasticity of the arms 41, 42. The risk of elastic or oscillating movement would also exist in the case of the support 50 in the deployed position PD because the upright, by its support, would receive the entire load and in the event of a shift in the center of gravity relative to the upright, the latter would tilt and transfer a significant part of the load onto the single arm or pair of arms on the side of the inclination of the mast.
[0056] The support of the load distributed between the external contacts (the three rollers 43), followed by the contact of the adjustable support in the support position allows this distribution of forces avoiding the swinging of the load.
[0057] The support 50 is adjusted simply by screwing / unscrewing. However, this solution does not preclude adjustment between positions DE, DS, DP by hooking the rod 52 in the bearing 53 in three predefined locking positions, which are released by actuating a lock on the lower part of the upright 10.
[0058] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS
[0059] 1 Plate lifting device
[0060] 10 Telescopic mast
[0061] 10a Lower end of the mast
[0062] 11 Lower element
[0063] lia High end
[0064] 11b Lower end
[0065] 111 Tubular end piece
[0066] 112 Chape
[0067] 12 Intermediate element
[0068] 13 Upper element
[0069] 20 Lifting mechanism
[0070] 21 Case
[0071] 22 Operating handle
[0072] 30 Plate holder frame
[0073] 31 Main Branch
[0074] 311 Main tube
[0075] 312 Auxiliary tube
[0076] 32 Traverse
[0077] 33 Stop
[0078] 34 Articulation
[0079] 35 Median cross member
[0080] 36 Handle
[0081] 37 Extension
[0082] 40 Articulated base
[0083] 41 Fixed arm
[0084] 411 End cap fixed to the mast
[0085] 42 Lateral arm
[0086] 43 Swivel caster
[0087] 44 Connecting rod
[0088] 45 Sliding sleeve
[0089]
[0090]
[0091]
[0092]
[0093]
[0094]
[0095]
[0096]
[0097]
[0098]
[0099]
[0100]
[0101] 46 Clevis 50 Adjustable support 51 Mushroom 52 Rod 53 Bearing 531 Stop H Height below mast 0 Cross brace center P Plate / load PD Deployed position PE Retracted position PS Support position S Ground surface
Claims
Demands
1. A plate-lifting device (1) for carrying and presenting cladding panels for installation, having: - a telescopic mast (10) connected to a wheeled base (40) (43) and equipped with a panel-holding frame (30) connected by an adjustable joint to the upper end of the mast (10), and - a lifting mechanism (20) for the mast (10), characterized in that the lower end (10a) of the mast (10) is equipped with a support (50) adjustable between: * a deployed position (PD) * a retracted position (PE) and between them, * a support position (PS), - the retracted position (PE) being the position of the support (50) out of contact with the ground (S) regardless of the load installed on the panel-holding frame (30), - the support position (PS) being the adjusted position, lowered relative to the ground (S) so as not to to rest on the ground only under the effect of a load installed on the plate-bearing frame (30) and which is greater than a threshold,to support the mast (10) against the effect of deflection of the base (40).
2. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable support (50) comprises - a mushroom (51) carried by a rod (52) engaged in the lower end of the mast (10), this rod (52) being positioned in a regulated manner in the mast (10) to adjust the height of the bearing surface of the mushroom (51) relative to the ground (S).
3. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod (52) of the support (50) is provided with a stop (521) limiting its deployed position.
4. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod (52) of the adjustable support (50) is a threaded rod, screwed into a bearing (53) at the lower end (10a) of the mast (10).
5. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the telescopic mast (10) is formed of a lower element (11), an intermediate element (12) and an upper element (13) made up of telescopic tubes of polygonal section in particular square, engaged one into the other, the upper element (13) being engaged in an adjustable manner in the intermediate element (12).
6. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lifting mechanism (20) consists of a pinion cooperating with a rack of the intermediate element (12), the pinion being carried by an axis equipped with an actuating member.
7. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper end (1la) of the lower element (11) has a handle (22) for moving or holding the device (1).
8. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a base (40) formed of a front arm (41) fixed relative to the mast (10) and two lateral arms (42) mounted pivotally at the base of the mast (10), being connected by connecting rods (44) in an articulated manner to a sliding sleeve (45) engaged on the fixed arm (41) and locked in the set position.
9. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sliding sleeve (45) locks onto the fixed front arm (41).
10. Plate lifting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate-carrying frame (30) comprises: - a main tube (311) which is a double tube receiving separately by sliding an auxiliary tube (312) for each side of the frame and forming the main arm (31) of the frame, this main tube being connected by a joint (34) to the upper element (13) of the mast (10), - a cross member (32) at the end of each auxiliary tube (312), - a central cross member (35) integral with the main tube (311) and, - a T-shaped extension (37) of the central cross member (35).