Device for handling sheet material

A structure for lifting and transporting a bundle of normally-flexible sheet materials, comprising;

• a. a sling-type bundle support means, including;
• (1) a generally-rectangular, flexible sheet of material slightly larger than said bundle and (2) an elongated, rigid, rod-like member extending along and directly coupled to and supporting each of two opposed side edges of said flexible sheet;
• b. a generally-flat, rigid lifting frame means having a width greater than the width of said support means from one of said rod-like members to the other when said flexible sheet is stretched flat between said rod-like members and adapted to be supported on the arms of a fork lift in a generally-horizontal plane;
• c. a first set of a plurality of elongated, flexible connecting means, each of said connecting means having one end directly and fixedly attached to one of said rod-like members and the other end fixedly attached to said frame means;
• and
• d. a second set of a plurality of elongated, flexible connecting means, each of said connecting means having one end directly and fixedly attached to the other of said rod-like members and the other end fixedly attached to said frame means;
• e. the distance between the points of attachment of said first and second sets of connecting means to said frame means being greater than said width of said support means from one of said rod-like members to the other when said flexible sheet is stretched flat between said rod-like members, whereby said sets of connecting means diverge outwardly and upwardly to thereby suspend said support means below said frame means and stretch said flexible sheet between said rod-like members when said frame means is lifted.