US 7,681,691 B1 · Planar object lifting apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting planar objects which includes an extendable rectilinear elongated frame formed of at least two spaced U-beams, each U-beam defining a longitudinal runway and having an elongated area removed from a forward face below a midpoint of the frame. The removed elongated area defines an entranceway to the longitudinal runway. The entranceway is dimensioned to receive the planar object for placement on a transport carriage while maintaining a top portion of the planar object within the longitudinal runway. The carriage is configured to laterally span the two spaced U-beams such that a portion of the carriage and a portion of the planar object are confined within each interior longitudinal runway at least during transport. A skid is perpendicularly joined to a forward face of the carriage at about its bottom edge. The skid is configured to support the planar object during placement and lifting. A pull cable is affixed at one end to the carriage at about a midpoint of a lateral dimension and in proximity to a top edge of the carriage. A first cross member is laterally joined to a top of the frame which includes a pulley aligned such that the pull cable when in communication with the pulley and affixed to the carriage are aligned along a common longitudinal centerline between the two spaced U-beams. A second cross member is likewise laterally joined to the frame in proximity to the entranceway. A winch is connected to an opposite end of the pull cable and configured to move the carriage and planar object through the longitudinal runways.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A planar object lifting apparatus comprising:

a rectilinear elongated frame formed of two spaced U-beams, each U-beam defining a longitudinal runway and having an elongated open area along a longitudinal face, the open area being below a midpoint of the frame and defining an entranceway to the longitudinal runways;
the entranceway dimensioned to receive the planar object to be lifted;
a carriage for transport of the planar object disposed thereon, the carriage dimensioned to laterally span the two spaced U-beams such that a portion of the carriage and the planar object disposed thereon are confined within a lateral common channel defined by the longitudinal runways during lifting;
a skid perpendicularly joined to a forward face of the carriage at about a bottom edge of the carriage configured to support the planar object during lifting;
a pull cable affixed at one end to the carriage at about a midpoint of a lateral dimension and in proximity to a top edge of the carriage;
a first cross member laterally joined to a top of the frame including a first pulley aligned such that the pull cable when in communication with the first pulley and affixed to the carriage are aligned along a common longitudinal centerline between the two spaced U-beams;
a second cross member laterally joined to the frame in proximity to the entranceway;
and,
a winch coupled to an opposite end of the pull cable and configured to move the carriage and planar object through the longitudinal runways.

6 more elements

A planar object lifting apparatus comprising:

a rectilinear elongated frame formed of two spaced beams, each beam including a U-shaped channel section and an elongated opening;
the U-shaped channel sections defining longitudinal runways and the elongated opening defining an entranceway dimensioned to receive the planar object to be lifted;
a carriage for transport of the planar object disposed thereon, the carriage dimensioned to laterally span the two spaced beams such that a majority of the carriage and the planar object disposed thereon are confined within a lateral common channel defined by the longitudinal runways during lifting;
a skid perpendicularly joined to a forward face of the carriage at about a bottom edge of the carriage configured to support the planar object during lifting;
a pull cable affixed at one end to the carriage at about a midpoint of a width and in proximity to a top edge of the carriage;
a first cross member laterally joined to a top of the frame having a lateral cross sectional area approximating a lateral cross sectional area of the carriage;
the first cross member joined to the top of the frame so as to provide a upper end of travel of the carriage;
a first pulley coupled to the first cross member and configured such that the pull cable when in communication with the first pulley maintains alignment with a common longitudinal centerline between the two spaced beams and the carriage;
a second cross member laterally joined to a rear of the frame at about a bottom of the entranceway;
the second cross member joined to the rear of the frame so as to provide a lower end of travel of the carriage;
and,
a winch coupled to an opposite end of the pull cable and configured to move the carriage and the planar object disposed thereon between the upper and lower ends of travel.

9 more elements

A planar object lifting apparatus comprising:

a rectilinear elongated frame formed of two spaced beams, each beam including a U-shaped channel section and an elongated opening;
the U-shaped channel sections defining longitudinal runways and the elongated opening defining an entranceway dimensioned to receive the planar object to be lifted;
a carriage for transport of the planar object disposed thereon, the carriage dimensioned to laterally span the two spaced beams such that all of the carriage and all of the planar object are confined within a lateral common channel defined by the longitudinal runways during lifting;
a skid perpendicularly joined to a forward face of the carriage at about a bottom edge of the carriage configured to support the planar object during lifting;
a pull cable affixed at one end to the carriage at about a midpoint of a width and in proximity to a top edge of the carriage;
a first cross member laterally joined to a top of the frame having a lateral cross sectional area approximating a lateral cross sectional area of the carriage;
the first cross member joined to the top of the frame so as to provide a upper end of travel of the carriage;
a first pulley coupled to the first cross member and configured such that the pull cable when in communication with the first pulley maintains alignment with a common longitudinal centerline between the two spaced beams and the carriage;
a second cross member laterally joined to a rear of the frame at about a bottom of the entranceway;
the second cross member joined to the rear of the frame so as to provide a lower end of travel of the carriage;
and,
a winch coupled to an opposite end of the pull cable and configured to move the carriage and the planar object disposed thereon between the upper and lower ends of travel.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Planar object lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Planar object lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22