Cam Hook Truss Lift System for Safe Roof Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing truss lifting devices are cumbersome, dangerous, and require excessive manpower, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries during the construction of buildings with pitched roofs, as they necessitate multiple workers to manually lift and place trusses, often diverting specialists from their primary tasks and causing project delays.

Innovation Solution

A cam hook truss lift system comprising two J-shaped hooks with a fastening system including a spring, cam, cam stopper, and release member, allowing for remote lifting and placement of trusses using a crane, reducing the number of workers needed and enhancing safety by enabling efficient and controlled truss handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual lifting and hoisting of trusses is used, then workers can place trusses on the roof, but it requires excessive manpower and creates safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruss lifting operationVSAvoidmanpower required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cam hook lifting apparatus as an intermediary device between the truss and the lifting mechanism. This apparatus includes a cam hook assembly with cam lobes that engage with tripods attached to the truss, allowing a single worker to control the lifting operation remotely from the ground level, eliminating the need for multiple workers to manually hoist the truss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If workers climb ladders or scaffolding to carry trusses to roof level, then trusses can be placed on the roof, but worker injuries and truss damage risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruss placement operationVSAvoidworker injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cam hook lifting apparatus serves as a mediator that enables truss lifting without workers needing to climb to elevated positions. The operator remains on the ground controlling the release member, while the truss is lifted vertically by the crane through the cam hook mechanism, eliminating exposure to ladder and scaffolding hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of workers climbing and carrying trusses with a crane-based lifting system controlled by a ground-level operator. The cam hook mechanism with its cam lobes and tripods provides controlled lifting and placement, substituting human physical effort and exposure with mechanical automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If multiple workers are diverted to lift trusses, then trusses can be hoisted to roof level, but other construction tasks fall behind schedule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruss lifting efficiencyVSAvoidproject schedule

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cam hook lifting apparatus is designed to be operated by a single worker who remains at their primary construction task location. The device autonomously performs the lifting function through its cam mechanism that engages with the truss tripods, allowing the operator to control the lifting without leaving their workstation, thus preventing delays in other construction activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If manual truss handling is used, then trusses can be moved to roof level, but coordination complexity and potential for dropped trusses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruss handling operationVSAvoidtruss placement safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual truss handling with a mechanically controlled lifting system. The cam hook apparatus uses cam lobes that engage with tripods to provide positive mechanical engagement during lifting. The controlled release mechanism ensures the truss is safely lowered only when intended, eliminating the coordination errors and dropped truss risks associated with manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cam hook truss lift system significantly reduces manpower requirements and enhances safety by allowing for efficient and controlled lifting and placement of trusses, minimizing the risk of injury and project delays, while maintaining a modest manufacturing cost.

Implementation Method 1

The fastening system comprises at least one spring, a cam, a cam stopper, and a release member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The fastening system comprises at least one spring, a cam, a cam stopper, and a release member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8622450B1Cam hook truss lift system

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 MENGEL CARL

AI summary

An apparatus for efficiently lifting heavy trusses used in constructing buildings requiring a pitched roof. The use of this apparatus reduces the manpower requirement for constructing roofs by providing a J-shape cam-hook-lift-apparatus to latch onto a truss and use the power of a lifting mechanism, such as a crane, to raise and place the roof trusses into a predetermined position. Using this apparatus will reduce the amount of time needed to complete a roof assembly and increase safety for workers.