Machine for handling modular building components

An apparatus for handling building components of the type which are used in retaining walls, comprising:

• (a) vehicular support means for positioning the apparatus at a desired location;
• (b) turret means mounted for rotation with respect to said vehicular support means;
• (c) adjustable boom means having a first end mounted to said turret means and a second end;
• (d) means adapted for gripping at least one building component;
• (e) means mounted to said boom means proximate said second end for suspending said gripping means, further comprising:
• (i) a rotating drum;
• (ii) a cable, the cable having a free end, the cable being would onto the rotating drum, the rotating drum thereby permitting the cable to be adjustably extended from the boom means;
• (iii) a swivel joint, the swivel joint being cooperatively affixed to the free end of the cable;
• (iv) an annular chain support, the annular chain support being affixed to the swivel joint;
• (v) a chain, the chain being threaded through the annular chain support;
• (vi) a pair of end caps, one of each of the end caps being affixed to an end of the chain;
• (vii) an inner support bar, the inner support bar having a first end and a second end, one of the pair of end caps being mated to the first end of the inner support bar and a remaining end cap being mated to the second end of the inner support bar;
• and
• (viii) a sleeve member, the sleeve member being rigidly attached to the means adapted for gripping at least one building component, the sleeve member being adapted to be slidably mounted on the inner support bar, the sleeve member being retained on the inner support bar by the pair of end caps;
• and
• (f) means for controlling at least said turret means and said boom means;
• wherein said turret means includes means for pivotally mounting said first end of said boom means to said turret means, and means for pivoting said boom means about said pivotal mounting means;
• wherein said turret means further comprises:
• (a) adjustable means for counter balancing force applied to said turret means by said boom means;
• (b) a boom support platform, the boom support platform being cooperatively affixed to the turret means;
• (c) a support bracket, the support bracket being cooperatively affixed to the boom support platform;
• (d) a counterweight holder, the counterweight holder being rigidly affixed to the support bracket;
• (e) a retaining lip, the retaining lip being affixed to the counterweight holder, and
• (f) at least one counterweight member, the counterweight member being manually mountable onto the counterweight holder, the counterweight member being retained on the counterweight holder by the retaining lip;
• wherein the means for pivoting the boom comprises a length extensible cylinder having a first end pivotally mounted to the boom proximate the first end of the boom, and a second end pivotally mounted to the support bracket, whereby a building component may be gripped and transported to a desired position.