Point-Loaded Lifting Fork for Balanced Standing Formwork Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional formwork systems are cumbersome, requiring cranes for assembly and transport, leading to inefficient use of space, increased costs, and manual labor due to complex fastening systems, especially when handling standing formwork members.

Innovation Solution

A point-loaded lifting fork with an elongate horizontal element and vertical projection, featuring a hook body and balanced attachment points, allows for quick and secure attachment to standing formwork members, enabling efficient transport and assembly without the need for complex fastening systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If formwork members are transported as small packages with a crane, then lifting capability is achieved, but transport time increases and crane capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidtransport time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting fork combines multiple lifting points into a single integrated device that can lift multiple formwork members simultaneously. The fork structure merges the functionality of multiple straps into one unified lifting mechanism, allowing parallel transport of multiple members and significantly reducing transport time and crane usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If manual fastening systems are used to attach lifting straps to standing formwork members, then lifting capability is achieved, but manual labor increases and operation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the complex manual fastening operation by providing a pre-configured lifting fork with integrated attachment mechanisms. The fork comes ready-made with attachment points and connection elements, eliminating the need for workers to manually assemble fastening systems in the field, thereby simplifying operation while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting fork is pre-assembled with all necessary fastening components attached before reaching the work site. The attachment points, straps, and connection elements are prepared in advance during manufacturing, so that upon arrival, the device requires minimal assembly or no assembly at all, greatly simplifying the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If formwork equipment is stored spread out over large areas, then accessibility is improved, but storage space increases and site organization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment accessibilityVSAvoidstorage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting fork enables multiple formwork members to be combined into a single lifting unit, allowing them to be transported and stored together rather than individually scattered across the site. This consolidation reduces the total storage area required while maintaining accessibility, as equipment can be organized in more compact, efficient arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4232393B1Point-loaded lifting fork for lifting standing formwork
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAERVOLL ARNFINN
  • EP4232393B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4232393B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4232393B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a device for lifting formwork members, the device comprising an elongate horizontal element comprising a first and a second end and at least a first and a second attachment point for attaching a lifting device, wherein horizontal element at its first end comprises a weight element and a vertical element provided in the second end of the horizontal member, wherein the vertical member comprises than the upper and lower ends and projects downwardly from the horizontal member and a hook body provided in the lower end of the vertical member, the hook member projecting a distance from the first end of the horizontal member so that a point of attachment is centered between the first and second attachment points.