Portable lifting device

Abstract

A portable lifting device has a chassis, a set of wheels for supporting and facilitating transport of the chassis and a telescoping boom assembly supported by the chassis. The boom assembly is fixedly supported by the chassis and has a boom head retractably extendable away from the chassis. A hoist assembly and load carrying lines are supported with the chassis and extendable along the boom to the boom head. There is also disclosed a panel lifting support including a generally elongate hanging member having a suspension end and an opposite suspended end, a support member extending orthogonally from the suspended end and a cantilever member connected at or adjacent to the suspension end.

Description

[0001] Portable Lifting Device

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to portable lifting devices used for hoisting and lowering loads. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a portable lifting device locatable on the rooftop of a building, and used for hoisting and lowering loads within the volume or on the outside of a building.

[0004] Background to the invention

[0005] There has long been a need for better and more cost and time efficient methods of hoisting and lowering of heavy objects to and from relatively elevated and lower elevations, such as locations in and / or on buildings. There has also long been a need for an improved building maintenance lifting system for such activities as window cleaning.

[0006] Rooftop building lifting systems hitherto have been large, expensive and fixed in place or comprise relatively simple derrick's. Particularly in the window cleaning sector such systems often comprise abseiling systems allowing window cleaners to descend from the rooftop while cleaning windows on the descent and at the bottom gear must be collected and return to the roof by an internal elevator or stairway. Window cleaning baskets are known but are associated with larger more expensive fixed in place rooftop lifting systems.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting device for use in hoisting and lowering loads and in particular for hoisting and lowering loads from a building rooftop.

[0009] According to a first particular example of the invention there is provided a portable lifting device for use in a load hoisting and lowering operation, particularly within the volume or on the outside of a building, the portable lifting device including: a chassis, a set of wheels for supporting and facilitating transport of the chassis, a telescoping boom assembly supported by the chassis, the boom assembly fixedly supported by the chassis and having a boom head retractably extendable away from the chassis, a hoist assembly supported with the chassis, a load carrying line carried by the hoist assembly and extendable along the boom to the boom head, the load carrying line being extendable and retractable by the hoist assembly.

[0010] In some examples the set of wheels includes at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels, each of the at least two wheels being independently steerable and drivable with respect to another of the at least two wheels.

[0011] In some examples the chassis includes a main chassis portion and a bogie chassis portion, the bogie chassis retractably extendable with respect to the main chassis between a chassis transport position and a chassis lifting position.

[0012] In some examples one of the at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels is on the main chassis, and the other of the least two independently steerable and drivable wheels is on the bogie chassis.

[0013] In some examples the boom cannot slew with respect to the chassis.

[0014] In some examples the boom includes a foot portion fixedly supported by the main chassis and a first extension section supported by the bogie chassis.

[0015] In some examples the boom includes a foot portion fixedly supported by the main chassis, a first extension section supported in the bogie chassis, and a second extension section, the first extension section telescopingly engaging with the foot portion and the second extension telescopingly engaged with the first extension section.

[0016] In some examples the device further includes a mast pivotally supported at the boon head, the mast including a mast foot supported on the boom and a mast head distal from the mast foot.

[0017] In some examples the mast foot is pivotally coupled with the boom head and pivotally movable with respect to the boom between a mast transport position and a mast lifting position.

[0018] In some examples the device further includes a bogie extension cylinder for retractably extending the bogie chassis with respect to the main chassis.

[0019] In some examples the device further includes a boom extension cylinder for retractably extending two or more boom extension sections, wherein a proximal end of the boom extension cylinder is coupled with the boom foot, and a distal end of the boom extension cylinder is selectively connectable with different ones of the two or more boom extensions.

[0020] In some examples the distal end of the boom extension cylinder is selectively connectable with different ones of the two or more boom extensions, or with the mast.

[0021] In some examples the hoist assembly is supported with the main chassis.

[0022] In some examples the load carrying line extends along the boom and the mast to the masthead.

[0023] In some examples the main chassis include a support for one or more counterweights.

[0024] In some examples the set of wheels includes a plurality of don-driven intermediary wheels. In some examples the plurality of don-driven intermediary wheels support the main chassis.

[0025] According to a second particular example of the invention there is provided a panel lifting support including: a generally elongate hanging member having a suspension end and an opposite suspended end, a support member extending orthogonally from the suspended end, a distal end of the support member adapted to, in use, couple with a panel holder, and a cantilever member connected at or adjacent to the suspension end, the cantilever member arranged to be pivotally extendable orthogonal to the hanging member.

[0026] In some examples a distal end of the support member is adapted to, in use, pivotally couple with a panel holder.

[0027] In some examples a distal end of the support member is adapted to, in use, removably couple with a panel holder.

[0028] According to a third particular example of the invention there is provided a panel lifting system including a portable lifting device as herein defined in combination with a panel lifting support as herein defined.

[0029] Further examples of the invention will become apparent from the following description, and appended drawings, which are given by way of example only to illustrate the invention.

[0030] Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Examples of some aspects of the invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a first example of a portable lifting device according to the invention (in a transport configuration),

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the first example of a portable lifting device according to the invention (in a lifting configuration),

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the first example portable lifting device,

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second example of a portable lifting device according to the invention,

[0035] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the second example portable lifting device, with a part section view of the hoist system of a portable lifting device,

[0036] Figure 6 is a section view through A-A of the lifting device in figure 7 showing an example of a hoist system for a portable lifting device,

[0037] Figure 7 illustrates a side view of an example portable lifting device, with a part section view of the hoist system.

[0038] Figures 8 (A) - (G) illustrate a views of various load support structure configurations for the portable lifting device, and

[0039] Figure 9 - 14 illustrates views and examples of various configurations of a panel lifting support.

[0040] Detailed description:

[0041] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the terms "lift" or "lifting" used herein includes both hoisting and lowering a load. In the drawings there is illustrated an example of a portable lifting device 100 / 200 used for hoisting and lowering loads. In some examples the portable lifting device 100 / 200 is a rooftop lifting device portably locatable on a building rooftop and used for hoisting and lowering loads up and down the outside of the building. In some examples the rooftop portable lifting device 100 / 200 can be used during construction or maintenance of the building. In other examples the rooftop portable lifting device 100 / 200 can be used for window cleaning activities and the like. In some examples the portable lifting device 100 / 200 is suitable for use within a building or on a balcony of a building such that the boom (discussed later) is extendable to a position outside the building volume or envelope for hoisting and lowering loads up and down the outside of the building. In some examples that portable lifting device 100 / 200 is suitable for use within a building for hoisting and lowering loads within areas inside the building volume or envelope such as, but not limited to, an atrium, a lift shaft, a light shaft (or lightwell, sky-well, airshaft, air well, ventilation shaft, vent shaft, or air shaft), or a vertical service duct rising through the building.

[0042] The portable lifting device 100 / 200 is adapted to transform between a transport configuration an example of which is illustrated in Figure 1 and a lifting configuration an example of which is illustrated in Figure 2. In the transport configuration the portable lifting device 100 / 200 may be transported to the rooftop of the building in a conventional elevator. In some examples the portable lifting device 100 / 200 is of modular constructions for transport to the rooftop in separate modules for final assembly in-situ.

[0043] Once on the building rooftop the portable lifting device 100 / 200 can be transformed to the lifting configuration in which a boom and mast is extendable over the edge of the roof so that a load carrying line is extendable over the side of the building for hoisting and lowering loads up and down the side of the building.

[0044] In one example of the invention the portable lifting device 100 / 200 includes a chassis including a main chassis 110 and a bogie chassis 120. The chassis has a longitudinal axis in a direction L and a transverse axis in a direction T. The bogie chassis 120 is retractably extendable in the longitudinal axis direction L with respect to the main chassis 110 between a chassis transport position corresponding with the transport configuration (illustrated in Figure 1) and a chassis lifting position corresponding with the lifting configuration (illustrated in Figure 2). In the chassis transport position the main chassis 110 and the bogie chassis 120 are positioned closely adjacent to each other such that the portable lifting device 100 / 200 has a first footprint. In the lifting position the bogie chassis 120 is extended in the longitudinal axis direction L to a spaced apart position with respect to the main chassis 110 giving the portable transport device a second footprint which is larger than the first footprint. In some examples the second footprint (or spaced apart lifting position / configuration) defines an elongate wheelbase of the portable lifting device in the longitudinal axis direction L for supporting larger loads cantilevered on a boom extending over the side of the building. A set of wheels 160 is provided for supporting and facilitating transport of the chassis over the ground or a surface such as a floor or rooftop of a building. In some examples four wheels are provided - two on each of the main chassis 110 and the bogie chassis 120 respectively. The chassis carries a telescoping boom assembly which is retractably extendable from the chassis in the longitudinal axis direction L.

[0045] The boom assembly 130 includes a boom foot 132 fixedly connected with the main chassis 110, one or more telescoping extension (or jib) sections 134, 135, 136 and a boom head 138. The boom head 138 is retractably extendable away from the main chassis 110 in the longitudinal axis direction L such that, in use, it is extendable over the side of a building 10. In some examples an end of the first extension section 134 of the boom assembly is fixed with the bogie chassis 120 such that extension of the first extension section 134 moves the bogie chassis 120 away from the main chassis 110 to the lifting position. In some examples a first extension cylinder 140 is provided with the boom 130 having an anchor end 142 connected with the main chassis 110 and an opposite end 144 connected with a head of the first extension section 134 / bogie chassis 120 such that extension (or retraction) of the cylinder 140 extends (or retracts) the first extension section 134 of the boom 130 and the bogie chassis 120. In some examples the first extension cylinder 140 is a hydraulic cylinder or ram.

[0046] In some examples the boom 130 includes second and third extension (or jib) sections 136, 138. The second extension section 136 is telescopingly engaged with the first extension section 134 and the third extension section 138 is telescopingly engaged with the second extension section 136. In some examples a second extension cylinder 146 is provided with the boom 130 having an anchor end 148 connected with the first extension section and an opposite end 149 selectively connectable with one of the second or third extension sections 136, 138 for selectively extending (or retracting) the respective extension section. In some examples the second extension cylinder 146 is a hydraulic cylinder or ram.

[0047] In some examples it is envisaged that once the boom 130 is extended to the end use position it is not extended or retracted during a lifting operation. In some examples once the boom is extended to the lifting position it may remain in the lifting position until the portable lifting device 100 / 200 needs to be transported at which time the boom can be retracted to the transport configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0048] In some examples the portable lifting device 100 / 200 further includes a mast 150 pivotally supported at the boom head 139. The mast 150 includes a mast foot 152 supported on a head 139 of the third boom extension 138, and a mast head 154 distal from the mast foot 152. The mast foot 152 is pivotally coupled with the boom head 139 and pivotally movable with respect to the boom 130 between a mast transport position corresponding with the transport configuration (illustrated in Figure 1) and a mast lifting position corresponding with the lifting configuration (illustrated in Figure 2). In a lifting position the mast head 154 extends above the boom head 138 such that the portable lifting device can hoist a load (say a basket or a platform) above a parapet sounding the side 10 of a building roof top.

[0049] In some examples the selectively connectable end 149 of the second extension cylinder 146 is selectively connectable with the mast 150 for assisting in rotation of the mast 150 between the mast transport position and the mast lifting position. In some examples it is envisaged that once the mast 150 is rotated to the end use position it is not moved during a lifting operation. In some examples once the mast 150 is extended to the lifting position it may remain in the lifting position until the portable lifting device 100 / 200 needs to be transported at which time the mast can be pivoted to the transport configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0050] In some examples the first extension cylinder 140 and the second extension cylinder 146 may comprise a single "setup" cylinder 141. A single setup extension cylinder 141 is provided with the boom 130 and has an anchor end 143 connected with the boom foot 132 or main chassis 110. A second (opposite) end 145 of the single setup cylinder 141 is selectively connectable with one of the first, second or third extension sections 134, 136, 138 or mast 150 for selectively extending (or retracting) the respective extension section or mast into its lifting position (or conversely return the respective extension section or mast to its transport position).

[0051] In some examples the boom 130 cannot slew with respect to the chassis 110 / 120. In some examples, the set of wheels 160 includes at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels 162, 164. In some examples one of the at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels 162 is on the main chassis 110, and the other of the least two independently steerable and drivable wheels 164 is on the bogie chassis 120 . Each of the at least two wheels 162, 164 being independently steerable and drivable with respect to each other. Providing at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels one on each the main chassis 110 and one on the bogie chassis 120 allows the portable lifting device 100 / 200 to drive, crab and / or rotate within its own footprint for positioning and moving the portable lifting device, and thus the boom head 139 / mast head 154, relative to the exterior wall 10 of the building.

[0052] In some examples the portable lifting assembly 100 / 200 includes a hoist 170 assembly supported with the main chassis 110. The hoist assembly 170 includes one or more winch drums 172 carrying a load carrying line (or rope) 174. A winch drive system 176 rotates the drum or drums 172 for extending or for retracting the load carrying line 174. In some examples the winch drive system 176 includes a motor driving a winch gear or toothed flywheel. In some examples the winch drive system 176 includes a motor axially aligned with the drum 172 for directly driving the drum. In some examples the winch drive system 176 includes a gearbox between the motor and drum. In some examples the gearbox is a reduction drive. In some examples of the portable lifting assembly 100 / 200 the drum or drums 172 includes four sections for carrying four lines (or ropes). Four lifting lines are preferably used for suspending a basket or cage adapted to carry a person. In other examples the portable lifting assembly may have less than four lines, including two lines or a single line for lifting a load.

[0053] In some examples the main chassis 110 include a support 177 for one or more counterweights 178. In some examples the counterweight comprises a plurality of weight plates wherein the number of weight plates is varied to a required of selected weights. Smaller stackable weight plates are also easier to transport to a building roof top.

[0054] In some examples the load carrying line 174 has a load attachment 180 supporting a load support 182. In some examples the load block supports a worker cage (or basket, or person transport cage) 184 in which workers, say window cleaners, can be lowered or hoisted down and up the side 10 of the building while cleaning exterior building windows (or walls). In some examples the load support structure 182 may be arranged in one of several different configurations for carrying different objects. In some examples the load support structure 182 includes an attachment point 186 located along a vertical centreline of the load support structure 182, and a generally L shaped tray including a vertical portion 188 extending away from the attachment point 186 to be spaced from and generally parallel with the vertical centreline of the load support structure 182. A floor or platform portion 189 extends orthogonal from the vertical portion 188 to intersect with the vertical centreline of the load support structure 182. In some examples the portable lifting assembly 100 / 200 is a four rope device for lifting, supporting or suspending a person transport cage.

[0055] Figures 8 (A) - (G) illustrate a views of various load support structure 182 configurations for the portable lifting device. These include but are not limited to (A) a general purpose tray 190 for carry equipment, (B) a cage 184 for carrying a worker or window washer, (C) portable plant 192 including but not limited to a generator, a power washer, an air conditioning unit, an air purifier, an extract fan and the like, (D) A secondary winch 194 and line 195, (E) an arrangement for hoisting trees and the like to high floors or rooftop locations, (F) a glass panel hoist and (G) a glass panel hoist with worker cage.

[0056] In some examples the set of wheels 160 includes a plurality of don-driven intermediary wheels 168. The intermediary wheels 168 are provided on the main chassis 110 and provide additional load bearing ground or surface contact points to spread the weight of the portable lifting device 100 / 200 over a larger area of its footprint.

[0057] In some examples the set of wheels 160 are freely rollable without the need of a guide track, rail or channel on a building rooftop. In some examples the portable lifting device 100 / 200 is not attached to the building or dependent on a guide track or rail system and is freely movably about a building rooftop.

[0058] Figure 9 - 14 illustrates various views and examples of a panel lifting support 400 for delivering a panel to an installation location on the side of a building. In some examples the panel lifting support 400 is suitable for delivering a panel into a recessed portion 30 of a building exterior wall 10. In some examples the panel is a glass panel 196. In other examples the panel is a building cladding panel. In yet other examples the panel is a decorative or information panel to be installed on the side of a building. Hitherto, such panels have been hoisted using a counterweighted beam system. The counterweight disadvantageously adds additional weight to be hoisted. In some examples a panel lifting support 400 includes a generally elongate hanging member 410 having a first or suspension end 412 to which the load support line 174 is connected and an opposite second end 414. A support member 420 extends orthogonally from the second end 414. In some examples the lifting support receives a panel holder 40 pivotally connectable with a distal end 422 of the supporting member 420. The panel holder 40 is panel specific. In some examples illustrated in Figures 9 to 14 the panel holder 40 is a glass panel holding member including a spine with three pairs of opposed suction cup arms adapted to secure to a glass (or other nonporous) panel 196 using a negative fluid pressure of air or a liquid to releasably adhere to the nonporous surface of the panel. The removable connection point of the panel holder 40 is near the top of the spine. As illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, when the hanging member 410 is suspended from a lifting line 174 a turning moment rotates the lifting support 400 so that the panel holder 40 supports the panel generally in a plane intersecting the centreline of the load line 174.

[0059] In some examples the lifting support 400 further includes a cantilever member 430 connected at or adjacent to the suspension end 412. The cantilever member 430 is arranged to be extendable orthogonally from the hanging member 410. In some examples the cantilever member 430 is pivotally connected with the hanging member 410 to be selectively extendable orthogonally from the hanging member 410. As illustrated in Figures 11 - 14, when extended orthogonally from the hanging member 410 a distal end 432 of the cantilever member 430 can be brought to bear against an exterior wall surface 10 of a building so as to cause an opposite rotating force opposing that of the weight of the load at the pivot end 422 of the supporting member. The load, in some examples a panel and panel holder 196 / 40, is caused to be suspended in a plane offset from the centreline of the load line 174. As illustrated specifically in Figure 12, the arrangement allows the panel 196 to be positioned within a recessed portion 30 of an building exterior wall 10. This may be particularly advantageous for glassing recessed window openings in high-rise buildings.

[0060] As illustrated in Figures 11 - 14, in some examples auxiliary suction cups 440 may be used in one or more configurations to apply an additional locating force on the panel 196. In some examples the panel lifting support 400 includes a cage in which a worker may ride for securing the located panel 196. In some examples the cage may be on an opposite side to the supporting and cantilever members 420 / 430.

[0061] One or more aspects and alternatives of the invention have been described by way of example only. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred aspects and alternatives described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the drawings and / or specification, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

[0062] Where reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, those equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[0063] Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country in the world.

Claims

Claims:

1. A portable lifting device for use in a load hoisting and lowering operation, particularly within the volume or on the outside of a building, the portable lifting device including: a chassis, a set of wheels for supporting and facilitating transport of the chassis, a telescoping boom assembly supported by the chassis, the boom assembly fixedly supported by the chassis and having a boom head retractably extendable away from the chassis, a hoist assembly supported with the chassis, a load carrying line carried by the hoist assembly and extendable along the boom to the boom head, the load carrying line being extendable and retractable by the hoist assembly.

2. The portable lifting device of claim 1 wherein the set of wheels includes at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels, each of the at least two wheels being independently steerable and drivable with respect to another of the at least two wheels.

3. The portable lifting device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the chassis includes a main chassis portion and a bogie chassis portion, the bogie chassis retractably extendable with respect to the main chassis between a chassis transport position and a chassis lifting position.

4. The portable lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein one of the at least two independently steerable and drivable wheels is on the main chassis, and the other of the least two independently steerable and drivable wheels is on the bogie chassis.

5. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the boom cannot slew with respect to the chassis.

6. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the boom includes a foot portion fixedly supported by the main chassis and a first extension section supported by the bogie chassis.

7. The portable lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the boom includes a foot portion fixedly supported by the main chassis, a first extension section supported in the bogie chassis, and a second extension section, the first extension section telescopingly engaging with the foot portion and the second extension telescopingly engaged with the first extension section.

8. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim further including a mast pivotally supported at the boon head, the mast including a mast foot supported on the boom and a mast head distal from the mast foot.

9. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the mast foot is pivotally coupled with the boom head and pivotally movable with respect to the boom between a mast transport position and a mast lifting position.

10. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim further including a bogie extension cylinder for retractably extending the bogie chassis with respect to the main chassis.

11. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim further including a boom extension cylinder for retractably extending one or more boom extension sections, wherein a proximal end of the boom extension cylinder is coupled with the boom foot, and a distal end of the boom extension cylinder is selectively connectable with different ones of the one or more boom extensions.

12. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the distal end of the boom extension cylinder is selectively connectable with different ones of the two or more boom extensions, or with the mast.

13. The portable lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 9 further including an extension cylinder for retractably extending one or more boom extension sections, wherein a proximal end of the extension cylinder is coupled with the boom foot, and a distal end of the boom extension cylinder is selectively connectable with different ones of the one or more boom extensions, or with the mast.

14. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the hoist assembly is supported with the main chassis.

15. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the load carrying line extends along the boom and the mast to the masthead.

16. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein the main chassis include a support for one or more counterweights.

17. The portable lifting device of any preceding claim wherein set of wheels includes a plurality of don-driven intermediary wheels.

18. A panel lifting support including: a generally elongate hanging member having a suspension end and an opposite suspended end, support member extending orthogonally from the suspended end, a distal end of the support member adapted to, in use, couple with a panel holder, and a cantilever member connected at or adjacent to the suspension end, the cantilever member arranged to be pivotally extendable orthogonal to the hanging member.

19. The panel lifting support of claim 18 wherein a distal end of the support member is adapted to, in use, pivotally couple with a panel holder.

20. The panel lifting support of claim 18 or 19 wherein a distal end of the support member is adapted to, in use, removably couple with a panel holder.

21. A panel lifting system including a portable lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 17 in combination with a panel lifting support of any one of claims 18 to 20.

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