US3635613A

US3635613A - Device for forming and handling concrete pipe

Info

Publication number: US3635613A
Application number: US829885A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard P Marsh; Ralph F Whannel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-03
Filing date: 1969-06-03
Publication date: 1972-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-18

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a device for forming and handling concrete pipe which is suitable for attachment to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism. The device comprises a concrete pipe mold formed in hingeably attachable, longitudinal sections and a mold handling apparatus, attachable to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle, for handling the mold and for stripping the mold from the concrete pipe. The mold is stripped from the concrete pipe by rotating two of the longitudinal mold sections about the hinges outwardly of the concrete pipe.

Description

United States Patent Marsh et a1.

[54] DEVICE FOR FORMING AND HANDLING CONCRETE PIPE [72] Inventors: Richard P. Marsh, 103 Maple Street, Vernon, Mich. 48476; Ralph F. Whannel, 1 101 Rachael, Waterloo, Iowa 50701 [22] Filed: June3, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 829,885

[52] US. Cl ..425/62, 425/442,425/451, 214/653, 249/160 [51] Int. Cl ..B28b 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..25/30 R, 31, 39, 126, 127 R; 249/160, 161, 168, 169, 170, 171; 18/34 R, 42 R; 214/652, 653

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,667,283 1/1954 MacDonald et a1. ..214/653 51 Jan. 18,

2,756,888 7/1956 Avery ..214/653 2,831,231 4/1958 Toensing. 3,323,188 6/1967 Abbott ..25/30 R Primary Examiner-.1. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Dewalden W. Jones AttorneyHenderson and Strom [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a device for forming and handling concrete pipe which is suitable for attachment to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism. The device comprises a concrete pipe mold formed in hingeably attachable, longitudinal sections and a mold handling apparatus, attachable to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle, for handling the mold and for stripping the mold from the concrete pipe. The mold is stripped from the concrete pipe by rotating two of the longitudinal mold sections about the hinges outwardly of the concrete pipe.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 818:2

SHEET 1 BF 2 DEVICE FOR FORMING AND HANDLING CONCRETE PIPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mechanized device for forming and handling concrete pipe comprising a mold formed in hingeably attachable, longitudinal sections and a mold handling apparatus for handling the mold and for stripping the mold from a concrete pipe.

Concrete pipe is now being manufactured primarily by the packerhead or rollerhead process. By this process, plastic concrete mix is fed into a concrete pipe mold and onto a rotating packerhead or rollerhead (hereinafter referred to as packerhead). The packerhead forces the concrete mix against the inside of the mold thus forming the outside surface of the pipe while the inside surface of the pipe is formed and packed by the packerhead. Immediately after removal of the packerhead, the pipe is sufficiently strong to support its own weight but it must be cured to obtain maximum strength. The mold containing the newly manufactured pipe is transported to the curing area and the mold is removed from the pipe and again utilized in forming more concrete pipes.

Prior to the invention of the device herein disclosed, the mold and the concrete pipe formed therein were first loaded on a transporting device and transported to a curing area. There, the mold was manually removed from the concrete pipe after the mold and the pipe were unloaded from the transporting device. The mold was then manually reloaded and returned to the packerhead.

The device of this invention provides novel means for handling, transporting, and stripping a concrete pipe mold from a newly formed concrete pipe. This device can perform all of the functions mentioned above mechanically and simply.

Several devices for transporting objects have been described in the prior art and include: Locke, US. Pat. No. 2,821,317; Hansen, US. Pat. No. 3,172,693; and Schroeder, US. Pat. No. 2,754,018. A concrete molding device is illustrated in Flamand, US. Pat. No. 3,l03,729. None of these devices, however, provides a single mechanical means for transporting concrete pipe molds with the pipe formed therein from the packerhead to the curing area, for stripping the mold from the concrete pipe and for returning the empty mold to the packerhead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for forming and handling concrete pipe that is adapted for attachment to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism. The device comprises a mold that defines the outer configuration of the pipe and a mold handling apparatus attachable to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle. The mold comprises at least two mold sections that each define a longitudinal segment of the outer configuration of the pipe. The sections are complementary and juxtaposable along longitudinal junctures. Latching means is formed along one of the longitudinal junctures and disengageably latches the juxtaposable sections together. Hinge means hingeably attach the sections together along the other longitudinal junctures. Attaching means is formed on the sections between the latching juncture and the hinged junctures for disengageable securement of means for stripping the mold from the pipe. Coupling means for disengageable securement of means for handling the mold is also formed on the mold.

The mold handling apparatus comprises mounting means affixed to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle; handling means mounted on the mounting means and disengageably securable to the coupling means of the mold; and stripping means mounted on the mounting means and disengageably securable with the attaching means on the mold. The stripping means is capable of rotating the mold sections disposed between the latching juncture and the hinged junctures outwardly of the pipe around the hinge means thereby stripping the mold from the pipe.

LII

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel device for forming and handling concrete pipe which is adapted for attachment to the lifting mechanism of a vehicle.

It is a further object to provide a handling apparatus which is readily adapted to any size or length of pipe molds.

Another object is to provide a handling apparatus which is capable of stripping a longitudinally hinged mold from a concrete pipe contained therein.

Yet another object is to provide a handling apparatus which is disengageably securable to a longitudinally hinged mold and which can be utilized to lift and transport the mold.

A still further object is to provide :a concrete pipe mold comprising at least two mold sections that each define longitudinal segments of the outer configuration of the pipe.

Still another object is to provide increased plant efficiency with decreased manpower when manufacturing concrete pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a device for forming and handling concrete pipe attached to the lifting mechanism of a motorized vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side view, similar to FIG. 1., wherein the mold has been lifted upwardly by the mold handling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, broken perspective view of the mold and the mold handling apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 with the mold and the handling apparatus in disengaged relation.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of this device for forming and handling concrete pipe in engaged relation with the mold in an opened position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the latching means taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a mold comprised of two sections and is shown in engaged relation with the mold handling apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view taken along line 81-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the device for forming and handling concrete pipe is generally indicated at 11 in FIGS. 1-4 and comprises a mold 12 and a mold handling apparatus 13. The mold 12 comprises at least two complementary and juxtaposable mold sections 14 (FIGS. 5 and 7) defining a longitudinal segment of a concrete pipe (not shown). Along one longitudinal juncture of the mold sections 14, latching means 16 (FIG. 6) are formed while along the other longitudinal junctures, hinge means 17 are formed. Attaching means 18 (FIGS. 3-5) are formed on the sections 14 between the latching means 16 and the hinge means 17 for disengageable securement of the stripping means 19 (FIGS. 3-5 and 7) of the mold handling apparatus 13. Coupling means 21 (FIGS. 3 and 7) are formed on the mold 12 for disengageable securement of the handling means 22 of the mold handling apparatus 13. A mounting means 23 mounts the stripping means 19 and handling means 22 on the lifting mechanism 24 of the vehicle 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

More specifically, the mold 12 (FIGS. 3-7) defines the outer configuration of the concrete pipe (not shown) and is generally comprised of two or three mold sections 14. Each of the mold sections 14 is normally disposed in an upstanding position and defines a longitudinal segment of the outer configuration of the pipe. The mold sections 14 complement each other and are juxtaposable to, thereby, form the entire outer configuration of the pipe with the exception of the pipe ends. The mold sections 14 have side edges 27 which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 of the pipe. Therefore, when the mold sections 14 are juxtaposed, longitudinal junctures 29 between the mold sections 14 are formed, the longitudinal junctures 29 being substantially parallel of the longitudinal axis 28 of the pipe and, generally, perpendicular of the ground.

The mold sections 14 can be formed in a variety of inside configurations to obtain concrete pipe having that outside configuration. The most usual and preferred inside configuration is circular whereby cylindrical pipe can be obtained. One end 31 (FIG. 3) of the mold sections 14 may be enlarged to form a pipe with a bell or groove thereby facilitating joining adjacent pipe sections together. A pallet (not shown) can be secured in this end 31 to facilitate forming the lower end of the pipe.

When the mold 12 is comprised of two mold sections 14 (FIG. 7) and is generally circular, each mold section 14 preferably defines 180 of the circle. When the mold is comprised of three mold sections 14 (FIGS. 3-5), the rear section 14a encompasses less than 180 in which case the other two sections 14 encompass the balance of the 360. It is preferred that the rear section 14a encompass 144 and the other two sections 14 encompass 108. This sectioning has been found to give superior results but is not critical herein.

Latching means 16 is formed along one of the longitudinal junctures 29 between mold sections 14 and disengageably latches the juxtaposable mold sections 14 together. Preferably, the latching means 16 is formed along the foremost juncture 29 or the juncture 29 farthest from the the handling apparatus 13.

The latching means 16 (FIGS. 4-6) comprises at least two latch arms 32 which are substantially horizontally disposed and pivotally secured at one end 33 to a mold section 14 adjacent the foremost juncture 29. The other end 34, or the free end, has a mounting hole 36 formed vertically therein suitable for rotatably securing a latch bar 37 therein. The latch bar 37 is generally of substantially cylindrical configuration and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. One side 38, or a portion thereof, (FIGS. 4-5) is flattened to provide means for moving the latch bar 37 over the rollers 39 rotatably secured to the adjacent mold section 14 by bifurcated ears 41. When the latch bar 37 is moved over the rollers 39, the latch bar 37 is rotated to secure the latch bar 37 in latching engagement.

Although the preferred latching means 16 is described above, conventional latching means 16 can also be utilized herein.

Hinge means 17 are formed along the other longitudinal junctures 29 and hingeably attach adjacent, juxtaposable mold sections 14 together. The hinge means 17, preferably, have pivot points spaced outwardly of the inside surface 42 of the mold l2.

The hinge means 17 (FIGS. 35) wherein the mold 12 is made up of three mold sections 14 comprise support members 43 extending outwardly of the mold sections 14 and rigidly attached thereto. The end portions 44 of the support members 43 are superposable and have vertically aligned apertures 46 formed therethrough. The apertures 46 are formed outwardly of the inside surface 42 of the mold I2 and outwardly of the longitudinal junctures 29. Hinge bars 47 extend vertically through the vertically aligned apertures 46 and hingeably attach adjacent, juxtaposable mold sections 14 together. The hinge bars 47 are rotatably secured in position by journal boxes 48 (FIG. 3lower journal box only shown).

The hinge means 17 (FIGS. 7 and 8) wherein the mold 12 is made up of two mold sections 14 is of essentially the same configuration. Substantially horizontally disposed arms 49 are rigidly affixed to each mold section 14. The arms 49 extend outwardly and cross each other and then continue outwardly on opposite sides of the mold 12. The arms 49 are rigidly attached to adjacent mold sections 14 proximate the longitudinal juncture 29. The arms 49 are disposed one above the other on each mold section 14 and have vertically aligned apertures 46 formed therein. Again, hinge bars 47 extend vertically through the vertically aligned apertures 46 and hingeably attach adjacent mold sections 14 together.

Attaching means 18 are formed on the mold sections 14 between the hinged longitudinal junctures 29 and the latched longitudinal juncture 29 for a disengageable securement of stripping means 19. The attaching means 18 (FIGS. 3-5) of the mold 12 comprising three mold sections 14 are plates 51 rigidly affixed to the support members 43 proximate the hinged longitudinal junctures 29. The plates 51 each have a hole 52 formed therein for disengageable securement of stripping means 19.

In the mold 12 comprising two mold sections 14 (FIGS. 7-8), the arms 49 are extended outwardly of the mold 12 and a hole 52 formed in each end portion 53 of the arms 49. The holes 52 are suitable for disengageable securement of stripping means 19.

Coupling means 21 is also formed on the mold 12 for disengageable securement of the handling means 22. In FIGS. 3-5 a preferred coupling means 21 is shown. There, the hinge means 17, as before described, doubles as the coupling means 21. The hinge bars 47 can be partially encompassed by the bifurcated fingers 54 (described in detail hereinafter) and the entire mold 12 can be lifted by moving the fingers 54 upwardly against the support members 43. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the hinge bars 47 and the arms 49 serve as the coupling means 21 as described above.

The mold handling apparatus 13 for use with the abovedescribed longitudinally hinged pipe molds 12 is adapted for attachment to the lifting mechanism 24 of the vehicle 26. The vehicle 26 (FIGS. 1-2) has a motor (not shown), wheels 58, an operators station 59, and a number of controls 61 to regulate movement of the vehicle 26 and the lifting mechanism 24. The lifting mechanism 24 is preferably a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder 62 capable of lifting the mold 12 and the pipe contained therein and capable of moving them from place to place. As a safety feature, the hydraulic cylinder 62 can have a shortened stroke and, therefore, cannot drop the mold 12 on the ground (See FIG. 1). This feature prevents inadvertent release of the mold 12 while the vehicle 26 is in motion.

The mounting means 23 (FIGS. 3-5) is affixed to the lifting mechanism 24 and comprises a carriage 63 rotatably attached to the hydraulic cylinder 62; upper and lower mounting bars 64 extending from opposing

sides

66 and 67 of the carriage 63 which are aligned and horizontally disposed; and two

side aprons

68 and 69 mounted on the mounting bars 64 on opposing

sides

66 and 67 of the carriage 63 and extending forwardly of the carriage 63. The mounting means 23 of FIGS. 3-5 can also be used with the two section mold 12 of FIGS. 7-8.

The carriage 63 (FIGS. 4 and 5) comprises two side elements 71 and 72 secured around the hydraulic cylinder 62 by mounting brackets 73. Although the carriage 63 is rotatably mounted on the hydraulic cylinder 62, the degree of rotation about the axis of the hydraulic cylinder 62 is limited by two spring members 74 and 76 (FIG. 5) mounted on a leg 77 which, in turn, is rigidly affixed to the base 78 (FIG. 2) of the lifting mechanism 24. The leg 77 (FIGS. 4 and 5) extends outwardly of the carriage 63 and is generally horizontally disposed. The

spring members

74 and 76 have spring-mounted pistons mounted therein which bear against

opposite sides

66 and 67 of the carriage 63. The spring compression, and, therefore, the degree of rotation of the carriage can be adjusted with nuts 79 (FIG. 5). The

spring members

74 and 76 may be mounted as shown in FIG. 5 or they may be mounted in opposition to each other and in parallel relation to the mounting bars 64.

This rotation feature of this invention is very important if the pipe is released from the mold l2 and the vehicle 26 is backed away at an angle from the pipe. If the carriage 63 was nonrotatable, the pipe would either be knocked over or scored by the mold 12. However, with this rotatable feature, the carriage 63 merely rotates on the hydraulic cylinder 62 when the mold 12 contacts the pipe and the pipe is left erect and undamaged. This same feature assists the operation in returning the empty molds 12 to the packerhead.

The mounting bars 64 (FIGS. 3-5), both upper and lower mounting bars 64, are rigidly affixed to the side elements 71 and 72 and are generally horizontally disposed. The mounting bars 64 are usually disposed at right angles to the ordinary line of travel of the vehicle 26. The cross-sectional configuration of the mounting bars 64 is not critical; the cylindrical configuration shown in FIG. 3, however, is convenient and generally used.

Upper and lower adjustment rods 91 (FIGS. 3-5) also project from opposing

sides

66 and 67 of the carriage 63. The adjustment rods 61 are vertically aligned with the mounting bars 64 and are threaded. Nuts 82 are threadably provided on the adjustment rods 91 on the inside and outside of each of the side aprons 611 and 69. The nuts 92 secure the

side aprons

63 and 69 in position and are utilized to adjust the position of the

side aprons

66 and 69 on the mounting bars 64.

The side aprons 68 and 69 (FIG. .3) are formed from steel or the like, are usually planar, have an aperture 83 formed therethrough for the mounting bar 64, and have an aperture 94 formed therethrough for the adjustment of rod 81. A plurality of bolt holes 86 are formed through the

side aprons

68 and 69 for adjustably mounting the handling means 22 and the stripping means 119.

The handling means 22 comprises a plurality of bifurcated fingers 54 adjustably secured to the foremost portion 87 of the

side aprons

66 and 69 by nuts and bolts 88. They can also be rigidly affixed to the

side aprons

66 and 69, as by welding. The fingers 54 are formed to receive the hinge bars 47 of the mold 12. When the fingers 54 are positioned around the hinge bars- 47, the hydraulic cylinder 62 is raised and the fingers 54 abut the lower surface 89 of the support member 43 and lift the mold 112.

The fingers 54 are normally horizontally disposed and extend forwardly of the

side aprons

68 and 69. The fingers 54 are adjustable on the

side aprons

68 and 69 to facilitate handling all lengths and diameters of concrete pipe molds 12.

The stripping means 19 (FIGS. 3-5) comprises a hydraulic cylinder 91 mounted on each

side apron

68 and 69, a piston 92 secured in each cylinder 91, and means 93 for disengageably securing the piston 92 to the attaching means 13 of the mold 12.

The hydraulic cylinders 91 are mounted on the outside surface 94 of the

side aprons

68 and 69 by mounting brackets 96 and are generally horizontally disposed. The hydraulic cylinders 91 are adjustably mounted by nuts and bolts 97 to facilitate handling of all diameters and lengths of concrete molds 12. Suitable hydraulic lines 99 are provided to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinders 91.

A piston 92 is secured in each of the cylinders 91 and extends forwardly of the

side aprons

66 and 69. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, the forward end 99 of the piston 92 has a pin 101 formed thereon which is insertable in hole 52 thereby disengageably securing the pistons 92 in the arms 49.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, a stripping shoe 102, is rotatably secured to the piston 92 between the bifurcations at the forward end 99 thereof by trunnion 1113. The stripping shoe 102 is also rotatably secured to a bifurcated finger 54 on each

side apron

68 and 69. A notch 104 is formed in the stripping shoe 102 which, when the piston 92 is extended in the cylinder 91, is superposable with the void between the bifurcations of the fingers 54. When the piston 92 is contracted, the stripping shoe 1112 locks on the hinge bars 47 as notch 164- rotates with the stripping shoe 192 (See FIG.

The stripping shoe 192 (FIGS. 3-4) is normally horizontally disposed and has an upstanding pin 106 formed thereon. This pin 1116 is engageable with the hole 52 formed through plates 51 of the mold 12. When the piston 92 is retracted, the mold sections 14 between the latching juncture 29 and the hinged junctures 29 are rotated outwardly of the pipe around the hinge bars 47 thereby stripping the mold 112 from the pipe (See FIG. 5).

The mold 112 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 is opened in much the same way. l-lere, however, the pistons 92 must be extended to open the mold 12 and pin means 197 must be provided on the rotatable shoe 11119 which is rotatably affixed and superposable with the bifurcated fingers 54. The pin means 107 secures the mold handling apparatus 13 to the mold 12. Conversely, the positions of the bifurcated fingers 54 and the hydraulic cylinders 91 can be reversed, thereby allowing contraction of the piston 92 to open the mold 112.

In both embodiments shown, the mold handling apparatus 13 is disengageably securable to the mold by positioning the mold handling apparatus 13 appropriately and then raising the hydraulic cylinder 62. The hydraulic cylinder 62 can be raised further to lift the mold 112 and the pipe contained therein from the ground.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described, it is to be remembered that various modifications may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for forming and handling concrete pipe adapted for attachment to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism, in combination:

a mold defining the outer configuration of the pipe comprising:

at least two mold sections normally disposed in upstanding positions, each of said sections defining a longitudinal segment of the outer configuration of the pipe and being complementary and juxtaposable at longitudinal junctures;

latching means formed along one of said long'tudinal junctures and disengageably latching said juxtaposable sections together;

hinge means formed alohg the other of said longitudinal junctures and hingeably attaching said juxtaposable sections together;

attaching means formed on said sections between said hinged junctures and said latching juncture for disengageable securement of means for stripping said mold from the concrete pipe;

coupling means formed on said mold for disengageable securement of means for handling; said mold; and a mold handling apparatus comprising:

mounting means affixed to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle;

handling means mounted on said mounting means and disengageably securable to said coupling means of said mold; and

stripping means mounted on said mounting means and disengageable securable with said attaching means of said mold, said stripping means being capable of rotating said sections of said mold disposed between said hinged junctures and said latching juncture outwardly about said hinge means thereby stripping said mold from the concrete pipe.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said stripping means of said mold handling apparatus comprises:

hydraulic cylinders mounted on said mounting means;

a piston secured in each of said cylinders and extending forwardly thereof and movable therein; and

means for disengageably securing said piston to said at taching means of said mold.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises:

support members normally horizontally disposed, one above the other, and rigidly affixed to said mold sections; said support members having vertically aligned apertures formed therein;

bars, normally vertically disposed, extending through said apertures in said support members and secured to said mold; and wherein;

said handling means comprises:

a plurality of bifurcated fingers afiixed to said mounting means and disengageably securable to said bars of said coupling means; said fingers being disposed to abut the lower surface of said support members when the lifting mechanism is raised thereby raising said mold.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,635,613 Patented January 18, 1972 Richard P. Marsh and Ralph F. VVhannel Application having been made by Richard P. Marsh and Ralph F. 'Whannel, the inventors named in the atent above identified, for the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of Title 35, Section 256, of the United States Code, adding the name of Julius C. Basso as a joint inventor, and a showing and proof of facts satisfying the requirements of the said section having been submitted, it is this 12th day of September 197 2, certified that the name of the said Julius C. Basso is hereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor With the said Richard P. Marsh and Ralph F. Vhannel.

FRED W. SHERLING Associate Solicitor.

Claims

1. A device for forming and handling concrete pipe adapted for attachment to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism, in combination: a mold defining the outer configuration of the pipe comprising: at least two mold sections normally disposed in upstanding positions, each of said sections defining a longitudinal segment of the outer configuration of the pipe and being complementary and juxtaposable at longitudinal junctures; latching means formed along one of said longitudinal junctures and disengageably latching said juxtaposable sections together; hinge means formed along the other of said longitudinal junctures and hingeably attaching said juxtaposable sections together; attaching means formed on said sections between said hinged junctures and said latching juncture for disengageable securement of means for stripping said mold from the concrete pipe; coupling means formed on said mold for disengageable securement of means for handling said mold; and a mold handling apparatus comprising: mounting means affixed to the lifting mechanism of the vehicle; handling means mounted on said mounting means and disengageably securable to said coupling means of said mold; and stripping means mounted on said mounting means and disengageable securable with said attaching means of said mold, said stripping means being capable of rotating said sections of said mold disposed between said hinged junctures and said latching juncture outwardly about said hinge means thereby stripping said mold from the concrete pipe.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said stripping means of said mold handling apparatus comprises: hydraulic cylinders mounted on said mouNting means; a piston secured in each of said cylinders and extending forwardly thereof and movable therein; and means for disengageably securing said piston to said attaching means of said mold.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises: support members normally horizontally disposed, one above the other, and rigidly affixed to said mold sections; said support members having vertically aligned apertures formed therein; bars, normally vertically disposed, extending through said apertures in said support members and secured to said mold; and wherein; said handling means comprises: a plurality of bifurcated fingers affixed to said mounting means and disengageably securable to said bars of said coupling means; said fingers being disposed to abut the lower surface of said support members when the lifting mechanism is raised thereby raising said mold.