Manual Lifting Device

Abstract

A manual handling device for lifting heavy objects such as used in the railway, highways, and construction industry. The device has a handlebar 1 and a clamp between the two ends of the handlebar crea

Description

The present application relates to a manual lifting device for lifting items. In particular, but not exclusively, the application relates to a manual lifting device employing a handlebar, clamps and the second or third lever mechanisms to allow the easy lifting of weighty items at minimum risks. Background of the invention Various heavy items and materials may need to be moved around and placed in the correct position in the railway, highways, and construction industry . This includes, by way of example, troughs, trough lids, concrete gutter, gravel boards, patio slabs, ballast boards, catchpit frames, and apparatus case bases trough route, and guttering. The manual handling of such items is physically demanding and exposes the worker to finger crush injuries, low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, occupational dermatitis, forearm tendonitis, tenosynovitis, slips, trips, and falls, as well as muscular and mental fatigue. The aforementioned items require the user to lift from the floor and walk backwards, often over undulating ground such as ballast, increasing slips, trips, falls and ankle sprains. Items are handled at mid-thigh to waist height, so when dropped, may cause breakages to the handler's feet, as well as damaging tire item itself, increasing waste and cost. This invention looks to eradicate or reduce some or all the above risks. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a manual handling device for lifting items, the device comprising: a handlebar having a first end and a second end, and a clamping means arranged to grip an item, wherein the clamping means is located between the two ends of the handlebar, wherein the handlebar is shaped to engage the item held by the clamping means to create a pivot point at its second end and the location of the clamping means is the resistance point, such that the device operates as a second-class lever, wherein the pivot point provides a downwards force on the object to be lifted when the handlebar is moved vertically upwards at its first end. The clamping means may comprise opposing jaws, wherein the opposing jaws press towards each other. The jaws may comprise spaced gripping cams arranged to rotate around spaced parallel axes to open and close a gap between the cams and clamp onto the object to be lifted from opposing sides. A linking means may provide linkage between the jaws and the handlebar. The linking means may comprise guide wires. The linking means may comprise any suitable replacement to wires. The linking means may urge the jaws together, inducing the jaws to grip w hen an item is placed between the locking means, and wherein the linking means induces the jaws to lock in place. The clamping means may include a bridge joining the jaws, wherein the bridge extends over the item to be lifted. Tire clamping means may project from the handlebar in a first direction along which the device lifts an item. The clamping means may exert a gripping force in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The clamping means may release the gripping action via turning of the handlebar in a plane non parallel to the first direction. The manual lifting device may comprise a top cam arranged to cause the clamping means to open when the handlebar is turned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The top cam may be arranged to rotate around the first direction. The manual lifting device may be provided such that after an item is gripped the handlebar and the top cam may be rotatable relative to the clamping means. Hie top cam may engage the linking means to release the clamping means. The handlebar may be comprised of a plurality of interengaging sections. The handlebar may include at least a first portion arranged to be gripped by a user, proximal to the first end, a pivot portion proximal the second end, and a central portion between the first portion and pivot portion. The clamping means may extend in the first direction from the central portion. The pivot portion may be non-parallel to the first segment and the central portion, and an angle between the pivot portion and the first direction may be less than an angle between the central portion and the first direction. At least part of the pivot portion of the handlebar may be parallel to the first direction. The manual lifting device may be provided such the clamping means may be spaced from the pivot portion along the central portion. The shape of the handlebar and its configuration around the clamping means and the object to be handled may result in a pivot action. The clamping means gripping action may be urged to press the opposing jaws together by the lifting and / or dropping of the handlebar. The clamping means are detachable from the handlebar to provide for modular replacement and interchangeability of clamping means. The manual lifting device may be provided as the first part of a kit. The kit may include a second manual lifting device, such that the two manual lifting devices may be operable to attach at opposite ends of an object to be moved to allow two or more people to move such object. Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I - Side view of the device attached to a trough. This figure represents the 2nd class lever system where pressure is applied to the fulcrum (20), by leverage of the handlebar (1) to lift the respective load centrally by the unit comprising of handle bar clamp (2), the bridge (6) and the cams x 2 (11), Figure 2 - Anterior view of the device depicting the components involved in locking on and releasing loads (excludes handlebar) Figure 3 - Posterior view of the device - showing possibilities to alter the carrying width of the handlebars to accommodate size of item being handled and the person (anthropometric) carrying the load. Figure 4 - Shows northeast view of the top mechanism in a locked-on position. This figure depicts the guide wires (9) situated in a straight position from the cams (11) in closed position, over the roller (8) through the guides (10 &19) and onto the axle / spacer (5 / 3). Figure 5 - Shows a northeast view of the top mechanism in open position. This figure depicts the guide wire (9) with lateral (sideways) pressure applied by guides (19) in a windlass effect. This action lengthens the guidewire (9) between the axle / spacer (5 / 3) and guides (10) therefore shortening the guidewire (9) between the roller (8) and the cams (11). The cams (11) are then elevated from the front where the guidewire (9) is attached to a cam connecting screw (16). Figure 6 - Shows the entirety of the handlebar (1) split into its four sections (21, 22, 2,3 and 24). Figure 7 - Shows the handlebar clamp (2), the axle (3), the spacer (5), the plate (17) winch encompasses the four guides (19). Equal or functionally equivalent components are designated with the same reference numerals in the figures. Fig 6 shows the entirety of the handlebar (1) constructed in four alternating sections (21, 22, 23 and 24). Section (21 &23) are made of non-conductive / insulated fiberglass and are inserted and bonded into a steel tube (22 &24). The length of the handlebar may vary' depending on the environment in which its used. For example, if the item being handled is that of thigh height, a shorter and straighter handle may be used. If the item being lifted to the side of the user and only requires one device to be used, then a D shaped handle may be used. One embodiment of the invention is that handles are interchangeable due to the handlebar clamp (2). Fig 7 shows the handlebar clamp (2) comprising the top (A) and bottom (B). Both portions contain a threaded hole (C) which is fitted with a bolt to combine both parts and clamp in the handlebar. In the bottom portion (A), contains a counterbore square to house a threaded bolt acting as the axle (3) which is encompassed by a spacer (5). The spacer is a nylon / metal washer. The plate (17) is an aluminium plate with a threaded hole centrally, which is threaded onto the axle (3). There are two threaded holes at either end of the plate which are used to contain the guides (19). Hie guides (19) harness the guidewire (9). The whole mechanism in Fig 7 rotates as one unit, guided by lateral or medial movement of the handlebar (1). The axle (3) is inserted centrally onto the bridge (6) via a blank hole, and a nylon nut is threaded onto the axle on the underside of the bridge, connecting the handlebar clamp (2), the plate (17) onto the bridge (6). The guidewires (9) are looped around the cam connecting bolt (16) and crimped / swaged. The guidewires (9) are guided over the roller (8), though the guides attached to the bridge (9), through the guides attached to plate (19) and around the spacer (5) and crimped / swaged. The guidewires can be crimped / swaged prior to fitting. Fig 1 depicts the 2nd class lever system which is an example embodiment of the invention. The fulcrum (20) is placed onto the object which will be handled, in this case a trough wall. The unit in Fig 2 straddles the wall and is lowered to allow the cams (11) to lock on to the wall and ensure the person lifting (user) is in a suitable position. The cams (11) are self-adjusting and adjust by the thickness of the trough wall by opening to the largest gap between the cams (base). Once in a suitable position, the user applies an upward pressure (lift) to die handlebar (1) (arrow A) creating a reciprocal downward pressure to the fulcrum (20) (arrow B). The cams (11) are then forced downwards and inwards by the load, to the narrower gap between the cams (nose) which in turn creates lateral pressure onto the trough wall in a gripping action. Once the item being handled is in place, the device needs to be removed. Removing the device requires the user to apply downward pressure to the handlebar (1), this will reduce the pressure on the fulcrum (20) and allow the cams (11) to release. The handlebar (1) is then rotated laterally or medially. This action creates a shortening of the guide wire (9) to open the cams (11) for removal of tire device. Fig 5 - Shows a northeast view of the top mechanism in open position yet excludes the plate (17) which guides (19) are attached and the handlebar clamp (2) This figure depicts the guide wire (9) with lateral (sideways) pressure applied by guides (19) in a windlass effect. This action lengthens the guide wire (9) between the axle / spacer (5 / 3) and guides (10) therefore shortening the guide wire (9) between die roller (8) and the cams (11). The cams (11) are then elevated from the front where the guidewire (9) is attached to a cam connecting screw (16) and the cams are then in their widest position and clearance to remove the device is obtained. Fig 2 The distance between the cams (11) may vary in distance to accommodate items lifted. The size of the cam (11) may also vary in width and length as well as the arrangement of the cams (11). Tire cams may be made in varying materials to accommodate their environment. In this case, the cams are made of aluminium with a two-colour layer durable rubber vulcanized to the surface. The two-colour layer allows the user to determine when the top layer is worn, showing a brighter layer beneath indicating the need to replace the item. Fig 3 shows a rear view of the device, depicting two positions of the handlebar. The handlebar may be adjusted, at the handlebar clamp (2). The handlebar may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise within the handlebar clamp (2) to accommodate both the width of the item being lifted or the width of the user, or both. In the example shown, a pair of cams (11) form jaws which grip the item to be lifted. It will be appreciated that any suitable jaws can be used. The pair of cams is just one example of a clamping means. Other suitable clamping means can be used. In the example shown a guide wire is used to link the cams. This is just one example of a linking means, and any suitable linking means can be used. Tn the above example, first guides (10) are secured to the bridge (6) and second guides (19) are secured to the handlebar clamp (2). Rotation of the handlebar clamp (2) relative to the bridge (6) causes the windlass effect lengthening the guide wire. This may be considered a top cam mechanism. It will be appreciated that other top cam mechanisms may be employed to apply a windlass effect to the guide 5 wire.

Claims

1. A manual handling device for lifting items, the device comprising:a handlebar having a first end and a second end, anda clamping means arranged to grip an item,wherein the clamping means is located between the two ends of the handlebar, wherein the handlebar is shaped to engage the item held by the clamping means to create a pivot point at its second end and the location of the clamping means is the resistance point, such that the device operates as a second-class lever,wherein the pivot point provides a downwards force on the object to be lifted when the handlebar is moved vertically upwards at its first end.

2. The manual handling device of any preceding claims wherein the clamping means comprise opposing jaws, wherein the opposing jaws press towards each other.

3. The manual handling device of claim 2 wherein the jaws comprise spaced gripping cams arranged to rotate around spaced parallel axes to open and close a gap between the cams and clamp onto the object to be lifted from opposing sides.

4. The manual handling device of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a linking means provides linkage between the jaws and the handlebar.

5. The manual handling device of claim 4 where the linking means comprise guide wires.

6. The manual handling device of claims 4 or 5 wherein the linking means urges the jawstogether, inducing the jaws to grip when an item is placed between the locking means, and wherein the linking means induces the jaws to lock in place.

7. The manual handling device of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the clamping means includes a bridge joining the jaws, wherein the bridge extends over the item to be lifted.

8. The manual handling device of any preceding claim wherein the clamping means projects from the handlebar in a first direction along which the device lifts an item, and the clamping means exert a gripping force in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

9. The manual handling device of claim 8 wherein the clamping means releases the gripping action via turning of the handlebar in a plane non parallel to the first direction.

10. The manual handling device of claims 9 comprising a top cam arranged to cause the clamping means to open when the handlebar is turned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the top cam is arranged to rotate around the first direction.

11. The manual handling device of claim 10 wherein after an item is gripped the handlebar and the top cam are rotatable relative to the clamping means.

12. The manual handling device of claims 9 to 11, when dependent on claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the top cam engages the linking means to release the clamping means.

13. The manual handling device of any preceding claim, wherein the handlebar is comprised of a plurality of interengaging sections,14. The manual handling device of any preceding claim, wherein the handlebar includes at least a first portion arranged to be gripped by a user, proximal to the first end, a pivot portion proximal the second end, and a central portion between the first segment and pivot segment,wherein the clamping means extends in the first direction from the central portion; andwherein the pivot portion is non-parallel to the first portion and the central portion, and wherein an angle between the pivot portion and the first direction is less than an angle between the central segment and the first direction.

15. The manual handling device of claim 14 wherein at least part of the pivot portion is parallel to the first direction.

16. The manual handling device of claim 14 or 15 wherein the clamping means is spaced from the pivot portion along the central portion.

17. The manual handling device of any preceding claim wherein the shape of the handlebar and its configuration around the clamping means and the object to be handled result in a pivot action.

18. The manual handling device of any preceding claim wherein the clamping means gripping action is urged to press the opposing jaws together by the lifting and / or dropping of the handlebar.5 19. The manual handling device of any preceding claim where the clamping means aredetachable from the handlebar to provide for modular replacement and interchangeability of clamping means.

20. A kit comprising a manual handling device as claimed in any preceding claim, and 10 another manual handling device as claimed in any preceding claims, the two manual handling devices operable to attach at opposite ends of an object to be moved to allow two or more people to move such object.

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