Roof Window Lifting Tool with Pivotable Support Stands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting tools for roof windows are cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble/disassemble, requiring multiple parts and adjustments, which complicates their use on inclined roofs and increases the risk of worker injury during manual lifting.

Innovation Solution

A lifting tool with pivotable and releasable connection points between support stands, allowing for folding and adjustment to fit different roof inclinations, combined with a mounting strap and batten hooks for secure positioning, reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lifting tool uses telescopic adjustment to adapt to different window widths and roof angles, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases and assembly/disassembly becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different window widths and roof anglesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting tool employs telescopic adjustment mechanisms that allow dynamic modification of the frame length and angle bar positioning. This enables the same device to adapt to various window widths and roof inclinations without requiring multiple specialized tools, thus improving adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized telescopic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting tool is divided into separable components including the frame, cross bar, and support stands that can be independently adjusted and reconfigured. The telescopic sections are segmented into adjustable segments that can be extended or retracted to match different span requirements, allowing flexible adaptation without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lifting tool uses telescopic adjustment with multiple connection points, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time during assembly and disassembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different configurationsVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic connection points incorporate quick-adjustment mechanisms that allow workers to change the frame length and angle bar positions rapidly without complex fastening operations. This dynamic adjustment capability reduces the time required to reconfigure the lifting tool for different window sizes and roof angles while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic sections are pre-configured with alignment features and standardized connection interfaces that guide proper assembly. This preliminary design of the connection mechanisms eliminates the need for precise manual alignment and reduces the number of adjustment steps required, thereby decreasing assembly and disassembly time while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lifting tool is disassembled into many separate parts, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in tracking parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfigurability for different windowsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting tool design integrates the angle bar into the support stand structure, creating a unified assembly that reduces the total number of separate parts. This merging of components maintains the ability to adapt to different configurations while simplifying the assembly and disassembly process, as fewer individual parts need to be tracked and managed by workers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support stands are designed as multi-functional components that serve both as structural supports and as mounting points for the cross bar. This universal design allows the same components to perform multiple functions throughout the assembly and disassembly process, reducing the number of specialized parts that need to be tracked while maintaining full configurability for different window types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the lifting tool uses fixed connection points, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different roof inclinations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadjustment to roof inclination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The angle bar incorporates a pivotable connection at its lower end that allows dynamic adjustment of the support stand angle relative to the roof surface. This single degree of freedom in the connection mechanism enables adaptation to various roof inclinations without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment systems, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable connection point allows the support stand angle parameter to be changed according to the roof inclination. By enabling this single parameter adjustment at the critical connection point, the lifting tool can accommodate different roof angles without increasing overall device complexity, as the adjustment is achieved through a simple hinged connection rather than a complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3348513B1Lifting tool for a mounting and dismounting a roof window and a method for mounting and dismounting a roof window using such a lifting tool
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3348513B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3348513B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3348513B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A lifting tool (1) for mounting and dismounting of a sash of a roof window in an inclined roof construction, said lifting tool (1) comprising two support stands (2) adapted to be placed on the roof at opposite sides of a mounted window frame of the roof window, each support stand (2) comprising a support base (3), a support leg (4), and an angle bar (5) which together forms a triangle with a connection point at each corner, a cross bar (6) which can be releasably attached between the support stands (2), and a winch (7) which can by mounted on the cross bar (6).