Portable hoist lifting frame kit

Abstract

A portable hoist lifting frame kit has a cross beam 12 that can support an electrically, mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated hoist. The cross beam is secured to or supported by cantilever arms 9 which in turn locate into extension arms 4. The cross beam can move laterally along the length of the cantilever arms. The extension arms locate into protrusion blocks which in turn locate into a wall mounted bracket support system designed to support the load to be raised. The bracket support system is of the mild steel channel type with return lip such as “unistrut”. The portable hoist lifting frame kit can be assembled in various configurations i.e. it can be used with or without the protrusion blocks and extension arms.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This invention relates to a portable hoist lifting frame kit and claims the benefit of a prior UK filing, application no. GB 0220408.9, filing date: 3rd Sep. 2002.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Portable hoists are well known for lifting heavy items and normally comprise of some form of wheeled platform onto which is fabricated a set of movable forks or beam that have the ability to move a load vertically up or down by means of electrically or mechanically driven gearing.

[0005] Such hoists may be used within the Air Conditioning Industry to enable the outdoor unit of a “split system” herein known as the load to be raised (i.e. an air conditioning system comprising of an indoor and outdoor unit linked via pipe work and cabling) to be mounted onto suitable wall mounted brackets above head height. The brackets usually fabricated from mild steel channel with return lip (unistrut being just one example) consist of 2 off uprights secured to the wall by use of expandable fixings and 2 off horizontally extending arms secured to the uprights using channel nuts.

[0006] Portable hoists however, can be awkward to handle particularly on soft or uneven ground, or in places where access is difficult. They need firm level ground to operate from. Often the load is unsecured as the hoist was not designed specifically for any one particular task. In addition they are relatively expensive to purchase or alternatively involve the inconvenience and cost of having to be hired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a compact portable lifting frame capable of being assembled and disassembled which is secured to the wall mounting bracket system of the load to be raised in order to affect the lift.

[0008] An object of this invention is to provide a safe and secure lift in all areas, particularly where access is limited or where soft and uneven ground conditions prevail. During the lift operation the load to be lifted is secured firmly to a component of the portable hoist lifting frame.

[0009] The portable ac hoist lifting frame kit which can be fabricated from steel, aluminium or other materials may be put to other related uses also.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

[0011] FIG. 1 shows in perspective the 2 off protusion blocks and the 2 off extension arms.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows in perspective the 2 off cantilever arms with the detachable cross beam in position.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows in perspective the adjustable H frame.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows the cross sectional profile of the wall mounting bracket system uprights (not part of the invention), and also the securing components of the protusion blocks 7a, Extension arms 7b, and cantilever arms 7c.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a aide elevation of a cantilever arm.

[0016] FIG. 5 a shows the perspective cross sectional view of the mild steel channel upright 7 (not part of the invention but necessary to assist in describing its use) with return lip 8 (The return lip profile is the same as that of the securing components 7a, 7b, 7c of the protusion blocks 1, extension arms 4, and cantilever arms 9 respectively.

[0017] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the cantilever arms and cross beam supporting a hoist 26. FIGS. 6 and 7 also show the H frame secured to the load to be lifted.

[0018] FIG. 8 shows the H frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to the drawings the portable hoist frame kit comprises of 2 off protrusion blocks 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 which are slotted into the top of the mild steel channel uprights 7 that form part of an air conditioning unit's wall mounting bracket system. (Note; the mild steel channel uprights 7 are not part of the invention but are necessarily included in order to assist with describing the use of the invention). At this stage the 2 off mild steel channel uprights will be secured to the wall of a building or similar using expandable fixings. The distance that the uprights are placed apart is dependent upon the width of the load to be raised.

[0020] The protrusion blocks 1 are secured and held in place on the mild steel channel 7 using the releasable HT fixing screws 2 and channel plates 3. The channel plates grip against the return lip 8 of the mild steel channel 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 5a). The purpose of the protrusion blocks is to allow the portable hoist lifting frame to clear any potential protrusions (i.e. soil pipes, storm drains, cladding etc.) when fully assembled.

[0021] Next the extension arms 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1. are slotted into the protrusion blocks 1 and held and secured in place using the releasable HT fixing screws 5 and channel plates 6. The channel plates grip against the return lip 8 of the protrusion block securing component 7a as illustrated in FIG. 4. The purpose of the extension arms is to allow sufficient space for the electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically operated hoist 26 to be suspended between the portable hoist kit lifting frame and the top of the load to be lifted when the hoist hook 27 is at the top of its travel.

[0022] Next the cantilever arms 9 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 are slotted into the extension arms and secured using the releasable HT securing screws 10 and channel plates 11. The channel plates grip against the return lip 8 of the extension arm securing component 7b as illustrated in FIG. 4. The purpose of the cantilever arms is to support the cross beam 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0023] The cross beam 12 is allowed to move laterally along the top edges of the cantilever arms and can is secured in place using beam clamping brackets 13 (one per cantilever arm) and beam securing brackets 14 (one per cantilever arm) as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. This allows the cross beam 12 to be positioned at varying distances parallel to the wall.

[0024] The beam clamping brackets 13 and beam securing brackets 14 are secured to the cantilever arms using knurled screw fixings 15 and small channel plates (not shown). The small channel plates (not shown) grip against the return lip 8 on the cantilever securing component 7c as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0025] The cross beam 12 is prevented from moving laterally along its own axis by the clamping screws 16. The clamping screws 16 are mounted in the beam clamping brackets 13.

[0026] FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 show the H frame 17. This is placed on top of the load to be raised 28 and secured by passing the 2 off securing straps 18 around the unit to be raised and tightening and securing the securing straps 18 using the wratchet mechanisms 19. The securing straps 18 pass through the two off square section tubes of the H frame 23.

[0027] The load to be raised may have an offset centre of gravity. In order to achieve a straight and level lift the H frame 17 has a moveable boss 20 which can move laterally in either direction along the spine 25 of the H frame. This is achieved via a threaded rod 21 which passes through female threads 21a within the boss 20. As the threaded rod 21 is rotated using the knurled knob 22 so the boss 20 is moved in either direction away from the centre of the H frame 17. Attached to the boss 20 is a lifting loop 24.

[0028] The load to be raised 28 can now be raised by attaching a hoist 26 around the cross beam 12 using the hoist's own mounting brackets. A small pin 12a has been fabricated into the cross beam 12 in order to attach a mechanical chain hoist (not shown).

[0029] The hook of the electrically or mechanically operated hoist 27 is lowered and attaches through the loop 24 of the H frame 17.

[0030] The load to be raised can now be raised and the horizontally extending arms (not shown) can be fitted onto the 2 off uprights 7 of the bracket support system of the load to be raised.

[0031] On successfully mounting the load to be raised onto the extending arms of the bracket support system (not shown) the portable hoist frame kit is dismantled in the reverse order sequence.

Claims

1 A portable hoist lifting frame kit comprising horizontally extending protrusion blocks 1, vertically extending extension arms 4, horizontally extending cantilever arms 9, a cross beam and an adjustable H frame 17, where the protrusion blocks, extension arms and cantilever arms are adapted to be interlocking with and secured to the bracket support system from which the load to be raised will be supported.

2 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 that is easy to handle and can operate in all areas including areas where space is limited or where soft or uneven ground conditions prevail.

3 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 that has the load to be lifted secured to the portable hoist lifting frame kit.

4 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 whereby the complete assembly is assembled from a number of separate components.

5 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 4 whereby disassembly is by reverse order sequence.

6 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 comprising amongst other components an adjustable H frame that can adapt to the centre of gravity of the load to be lifted not necessarily being at its centre.

7 A portable lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 whereby the load to be raised is raised from above as opposed to pushing the load upward using the ground as a support base.

8 A portable hoist frame kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a clamping means for the cross beam is provided.

9 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 that can be assembled and used with or without the protrusion blocks.

10 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 that can be used with or without the extension arms.

11 A portable hoist lifting frame kit as claimed in claim 1 whose mass and the mass of the load to be lifted is being carried by the bracket support system from which the load to be lifted will be supported.

12 A portable hoist kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 8 wherein the means to support various mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated hoists is possible.

13 A portable lifting frame kit substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.