Portable vacuum lifter system

A method of using a portable vacuum lifter system comprising:

• carrying a portable case and a vacuum pad to a desired location;
• suspending the vacuum pad from a boom of a host machine;
• securing the case to the host machine such that the case is within an operator's reach while operating the host machine;
• establishing fluid communication between the vacuum pad and a vacuum pump of the case by connecting a vacuum line extending from the case to the vacuum pad;
• maneuvering the host machine and boom to place a bottom surface of the vacuum pad in contact with an item to be lifted;
• manipulating controls to turn on to put a power source in contact with the controls;
• manipulating controls to close a solenoid operated valve in said case to atmosphere and begin the operation of a drive motor and a vacuum pump in said case;
• once the necessary level of vacuum pressure is achieved, lifting the item by raising the boom of the host machine;
• once lifted, maneuvering the item into a desired location by operation of the host machine and boom;
• once the item has been placed in the desired location, manipulating the controls to release the item from the vacuum pad and terminating operation of the drive motor and vacuum pump and for opening the solenoid operated valve to atmosphere, thereby releasing the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line and vacuum pad.

A portable vacuum lifter system comprising:

• a portable vacuum lifter case containing vacuum lifter components, said vacuum lifter components comprising a drive motor coupled to a vacuum pump, a solenoid operated valve in fluid communication with the vacuum pump, a coupler that extends from the case, a vacuum gauge on the case for displaying a level of vacuum created;
• a host machine including a mounting assembly for removably mounting the case to the host machine;
• a vacuum pad for grabbing an object to be lifted, said vacuum pad having a top surface and a generally flat bottom surface, an elastomeric seal extending around a periphery of the bottom surface, said vacuum pad supported by the host machine, said vacuum pad connected to said coupler of said case via a vacuum line;
• and
• controls for operating said vacuum lifter components, wherein:
• said controls comprise a three-position switch having a first position, a second position, and a third position;
• the first position is a rest position wherein the vacuum pump is off and the solenoid operated valve closed, in the second position the solenoid operated valve is closed to atmosphere and the vacuum pump creates a vacuum between the vacuum pad and an item being lifted;
• and in the third position, the vacuum pump is off the solenoid operated valve is open to atmosphere.

A portable vacuum lifter system comprising:

• a host machine;
• a portable vacuum lifter case containing vacuum lifter components, said vacuum lifter components comprising a drive motor coupled to a vacuum pump, a solenoid operated valve in fluid communication with the vacuum pump, a coupler that extends from the case, a vacuum gauge on the case for displaying a level of vacuum created, the case including a set magnets arranged for connection to the host machine;
• a vacuum pad for grabbing an object to be lifted;
• and
• controls for operating said vacuum lifter components;
• wherein the controls comprise a three-position switch having a first position, a second position, and a third position;
• the first position is a rest position wherein the vacuum pump is off and the solenoid operated valve closed, in the second position the solenoid operated valve is closed to atmosphere and the vacuum pump creates a vacuum between the vacuum pad and an item being lifted;
• and in the third position, the vacuum pump is off the solenoid operated valve is open to atmosphere.