AU2008261157C1

AU2008261157C1 - Method and apparatus for movement of objects between spaced-apart locations

Info

Publication number: AU2008261157C1
Application number: AU2008261157A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jason O'mahoney
Original assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-20
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-22
Also published as: AU2011250683A1; AU2008261157A1; AU2008261157B2

Abstract

- 18 An apparatus for the moving of objects (1) between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure includes 5 support means (20) removably disposed in the vicinity of an upper of said locations and extending substantially transversely of the building of the like structure; a plurality of bracket means (26) for releasably affixing the support means (20) in place relative to the building or the like structure, lifting means (21) associated with the support means (20) and releasably connectable thereto, and a means (10) 10 associated with the lifting means (21) for receiving and releasably retaining the or each object (1) to be moved, the arrangement being such that, in use, the lifting means (21) and associated receiving and retaining means are adapted to be selectively and controllably movable, relative to the support means (20) vertically and/or horizontally relative to said building or the like structure. 19/12/flhjml7'1Ddp}9.provgpecoi,8 4t (f

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INVENTION TITLE: "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS BETWEEN SPACED-APART LOCATIONS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: S9/12/OBjm1 70 8 3 0

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2 2 , Cvpr sheet - vompete-fter-proviswenid40.,I -2 The present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved method and apparatus for the moving of objects between spaced-apart locations, and more particularly between locations which are spaced apart in the vertical or height direction. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method 5 and apparatus for the lifting or moving of weighty articles, as for example from a first location or site of storage to a second location or site for use or installation on a building or the like structure. Throughout the ensuing specification reference will be made to a particular 10 and preferred context of usage for the method and apparatus of the present invention, namely in the building/construction industry. It should be understood, however, that the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention lend themselves to usage in a variety of other contexts and that the invention is under no circumstances to be considered to be in any way limited or restricted to any preferred 15 context of usage described in detail hereinafter. The invention further relates to fixing means or brackets, to be employed for releasably locating the apparatus in accordance with the invention relative to an erected frame and/or roof of a building or the like structure. 20 For ease of explanation, hereinafter reference will be made to an especially preferred application for the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, namely in the construction of a low profile multi-storey structure, as for example a house, warehouse, factory or the like. 25 Throughout the ensuing description and claims the expressions "low profile multi-storey structure", or the alternative "low profile building or the structure" are intended to refer to low rise buildings or structures, whether for domestic or commercial use. 30 In the building industry, for example, these days there is a preferment for any and all external walls, as well as internal walls such as party or boundary walls, to be 2 6 /0 6 /1 2 jm1 7083jun26.speci.2 - 2a constructed from bricks or the like materials. When compared with timber and the equivalent materials, bricks or the like have a number of advantages, in terms of durability and hence a reduced need for ongoing and regular maintenance, enhanced heat and sound insulation capabilities and improved strength thereof However the 5 use of bricks or the like for the construction of external walls, as well as internal walls such as party or boundary walls, gives rise to disadvantages in terms of cost, overall weight of the finished 26/06/l2jm I 7083jun26.speci,a -3 structure and ease of construction thereof, especially when a multi-storey structure is involved. This is especially the case with low profile, as distinct from high rise, structures. In practical terms a wall of a timber or similar lighter weight material is generally easier, quicker and cheaper to construct than an equivalent wall of bricks or 5 the like. Further, and when a two-storey or low profile but multi-storey structure is involved, the increased weight of brickwork, as compared with timber or the like material, will mean that more secure foundations etc. are required with bricks or the like than with timber as the material of construction. 10 These disadvantages have been found, in many instances, to discourage or deter a builder, let alone a buyer or possible houseowner, from using bricks, especially on upper or elevated levels of a multi-storey house or similar structure, this despite the aforementioned advantages associated with the use of bricks or the like. Indeed, there is a wide-spread practice in the building industry to use timber 15 and other lighter weight materials for the construction of outer and inner walls of a building, especially for an upper floor or storey of a low profile structure. As a substitute for bricks and the like what are referred to as aerated concrete panels or blocks, as commercially available for example under the trade mark 20 "HEBEL", may be used. Such a material has the advantage of exhibiting, by its very nature, a significant degree of both heat and sound insulation and, furthermore, for any given wall area will result in the creation of a structure of much reduced weight when compared with an equivalent wall constructed of bricks or the like. Such material is available in panels or blocks having an overall weight of the order of 91.8 25 kg. Such panels, when installed on a building frame, can afford equivalent, if not better, properties than bricks - in terms of ease of installation, heat and sound insulation - yet give rise to a wall which is much less weighty when compared with an equivalent wall of brick. However in this day and age of improved, stricter occupational health and safety standards, there still remains the problems associated 30 with installation of such panels, especially at an elevated location.

-4 The present invention, therefore, seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the known art by providing a method and apparatus which allow a weighty object, as for example a "HEBEL" panel of the aforementioned type, to be safely, readily and easily moved, as for example from 5 ground level to an upper or elevated level at a proposed site of erection of a low profile structure or in fact from any location for storage to a location for use or installation on a low profile building or the like structure. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is 10 provided an apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a low profile building or the like structure (as hereinbefore defined), said apparatus including: support means adapted to be removably disposed at or in the vicinity of the upper of said locations whereby to extend at least partially there-across, said support means including at least one 15 elongate member which is releasably affixed relative to one or more frame members of said building or the like structure; a plurality of bracket means for releasably affixing said support means in place relative to said frame members of said building or the like structure; lifting means adapted to be releasably connected to said support means, said lifting means including means associated therewith for receiving and 20 releasably retaining an object which is to be moved between said spaced-apart locations of said building or the like structure, the arrangement being such that, in use, said lifting means and said receiving and retaining means are selectively and controllably movable, relative to said support means, vertically and/or horizontally relative to said building or the like structure, wherein said elongate member is in the 25 form of a hollow tubular member, which is releasably affixed relative to said frame members of said building or the like structure, the arrangement being such that said lifting means is selectively and controllably movable along and relative to said support means wherein said elongate member is releasably affixed relative to said frame members with the interposition of one or more bracket means. 30 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is also provided a method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart 26/06/12jm 17083jun26.speci,4 - 4a locations on a low profile building or the like structure, said method including the steps of: locating a support means, having lifting means associated therewith, relative to said building or the like structure, said support means being adapted to extend 5 substantially transversely of said building or the like structure; 26/06/12jm I 7083jun26.speci,a -5 FIG. 1. is a view of a HEBEL (trade mark) panel or block as affixed in place on a section of a housing frame; FIG. 2 is a side view of the configuration of FIG, 1, showing a panel or block as located/affixed in place relative to a stud or batten or the like structural member; 5 FIG. 3 is a view of a preferred means, in accordance with the present invention, for releasably retaining a panel or block during movement thereof to its location for installation; FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, of an alternative means for releasably retaining a panel or block during movement; 10 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, to be releasably attached to the frame of a building and to be utilised for movement of the panel or block of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a view of an end stop or bracket for use with the apparatus of FIG, 5; 15 FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an overhead bracket, for use in installation of the apparatus for use; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a means, to be associated with a guide track, for co-operation with a winch, chain hoist or the like FIG. 9 is a view of the apparatus of the present invention, as installed for use 20 on a building with an overhanging leave; FIG. 10 is a view of a roof truss tail bracket, for use on a building of the overhanging type shown in FIG. 9, in position relative to a guide track for said winch, hoist or the like. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a roof truss tail bracket as shown in FIG. 10 a 25 co-operating with an overhead bracket; FIGS. 12 and 13 are views of an alternative arrangement in accordance with the invention, including a cantilever beam bracket for use on structures without an overhanging leave; FIGS, 14 and 15 are views of alternative embodiments of a cantilever off-set 30 bracket; 19/1 2/08jmI 70B3d..19.prov ape6.do., -6 FIG. 16 is a view of yet a further alternative in accordance with the invention, involving an adjustable arm bracket, to allow for affixture of the apparatus to a wall stud or studs; FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the adjustable arm bracket of FIG. 16; 5 FIG. 18 is a view of a variant of the adjustable arm bracket of FIGS. 16 and 17; and FTGS, 19, 20 and 21 show further variants of brackets for use in conjunction with the method and apparatus of the present invention, as for example in situations involving a so-called party or boundary wall. 10 With reference now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown therein a block, sheet or panel, generally designated 1, of the type sometimes used nowadays for construction of a wall of a building of any type. As stated earlier such will preferably be in the form of panels of an aerated concrete material, as for example of the type commercially available under the trade mark "HEBEL". Such panels 1 have is been used for quite some time now in the construction industry, but have met with only limited acceptance and use by virtue of the problems associated with actual installation thereof, this especially on an elevated structure, as for example a multi storey structure. The prior art procedures in order to comply with occupational health and 20 safety standards, and this nowadays applies to any multi-storey structure, necessitated the building of a scaffold and the manual lifting of a panel (or multiple panels 1) to the proposed site of installation (relative to the building frame). Traditionally such panels 1, having a width of the order of 600 mm and a length of up to approximately 3 metres, have weight of the order of 91.8 kg. By reason of the 25 problems associated with lifting such panels 1, a practice has been adopted of'using blocks or panels having a width of 600 mm at lower levels and lighter blocks or panels, having a width of the order of 300 mm, at upper levels. Such has given rise to an increase in the amount of time and effort associated with installation of such blocks or panels 1 at upper levels. Present methods for lifting/delivering such 30 weighty blocks or panels to an elevated site for installation suffer in terms of occupational health and safety criteria. Such methods have involved one or more 19/I2/Ojml7OMidet9.p~ov spcci.doc,6 -7 individually physically lifting and moving such blocks or panels. Such is a physically draining and, perhaps more importantly, potentially dangerous practice. 'he practice is to raise a block or panel I from ground level to a proposed site of installation, as for example the first floor of a two-storey structure, such panel 1 5 then to be affixed in place, using any suitable fixing means as for example threaded members 2, which co-operate with one or more appropriately spaced-apart battens 3 previously affixed to studs or the like 4 of the overall building structure in any suitable manner, as for example by threaded members 5. Turning now to FIG. 3 there is shown therein one possible means, in 10 accordance with the invention, to facilitate lifting of a panel 1. Such is in the form of a sling 6, adapted in use to extend around a block or panel 1. The sling 6 will preferably be formed from any suitable and substantially non-elastic material, having a loop 7 formed in each free end thereof. A releasable clamp means generally designated 8 (of any known and suitable type), will be connectable to the sling 6 as ]5 shown, in turn being connected, in any suitable way and using any known means, to a cable or like 9 to be associated with a suitable lifting means, as for example a winch, hoist or the like FIG, 4 illustrates an alternative means for use in lifting a block or panel 1. Such will take the form of an assembly of a hollow tubular member 10, of a length 20 just slightly greater than the width of the block or panel 1, having releasably associated therewith at least one, and preferably two, opposed downwardly depending members 11, each having at least one aperture formed therein. The tubular member 10 includes an integral eyelet or the like 12 adapted in use to releasably co-operate with a clamp means 8 and associated cable 9. The arrangement 25 is such that one or more fixing means 13 of any known type may be utilised to releasably affix block or panel 1 to the opposed members 11, to retain said block or panel I in place relative to said tubular member 10 during lifting thereof In the preferred embodiment illustrated each member 11 takes the form of an elongate plate-like member of any suitable material, preferably a metal, having at 30 one end thereof an extension 14 of a shape substantially complementary to the cross sectional shape of the tubular member 10. The arrangement is such that, in use, a member 11 preferably is located at or in the vicinity of each free end of the tubular 19h2/02Jm1708.1dcnl9.pMv NpOidno,7 -8 member 10, to be releasably connectable to said tubular member 10 by bringing the free end of a threaded member 15 into contact with the outer surface of said tubular member 10 in a pressure-type fit, FIG. 5 shows the principal components of an apparatus in accordance with 5 the invention which, in use and with the further utilisation of one or more brackets to be described later in this specification in more detail - is intended to be appropriately located relative to building framework to allow for installation thereon of panels of aerated concrete or the like material, to form or construct external and/or internal walls of the overall structure. Later in this specification reference will be 10 made to a number of different types of brackets, to be used dependent upon the nature of the building being constructed. In particular the following types of brackets may be employed: (i) a truss tail bracket - for the situation wherein the building being constructed is to include eaves around the periphery thereof; 15 (ii) a cantilever or off-set bracket - for the situation wherein there are no eaves on the building or if the roof is under construction; (iii) an adjustable arm wall bracket; and (iv) a flat roof bracket, hereinafter also referred to as a party-boundary bracket, to be used where there is a party or boundary wall. 20 In actual fact the apparatus in accordance with the invention may be offered for sale, lease or rent - in kit form, including a plurality of each of the aforementioned types of brackets. Again with reference to FIG. 5, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a track or the like 20, preferably constructed from galvanised iron, 25 such adapted in use to extend across that area of the frame of the building or the like structure on or in relation to which a wall is to be constructed. A winch or the like lifting means 21, preferably electrically operated, is in use associated with said track 20, to be selectively and controllably movable along such track 20 as required. The winch, hoist or the like lifting means 21 includes a retractable chain or cable 9, with 30 associated hook or the like clamp means 8, intended to co-operate with a means for releasably retaining one or more "HEBEL" type panels, as for example those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby to transport such panel or panels 1 to an elevated site for I9/L=Jm1~7OI3dst9.vmv mpeeid&,B -9 installation, as by affixture to battens 3 attached to studs 4 of the building frame itself. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the track 20, constructed of galvabond or the like material, may be a similar shape and configuration to that used in sliding 5 door hardware. It should be understood, however, that such is not of the essence of the invention. The track 20 has associated therewith, and in use spaced a predetermined distance therefrom, a length of rail 22 (preferably hollow tubular) which has, associated therewith by means of a plurality of brackets 23 (or in any other suitable manner) the winch, hoist or the like 21, that rail 22 serving as a carrier 10 for the winch, hoist or the like 21. Removably associated with and extending transversely of the rail 22 there are provided, at spaced-apart locations along the length thereof, more particularly at or in the vicinity of the free ends thereof, hangers 24, of the type commonly employed in sliding door hardware. Such hangers 24 allow the winch to move, or be moved, along the track 20. By being controllably 15 movable along the track 21 as and when required the apparatusis suited to use far lifting and installing a plurality of panels), algnedboth veruca\y andhonzonta\y, to create the requisite wall. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5 the track 20 has associated therewith, preferably at or in the vicinity of each free end thereof, a side fix bracket 25 and 20 associated locking pin 25a, of the type shown in FIG. 6 in particular. The track 20 further includes, at predetermined locations along the length thereof, further bracket means 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 such is in the form of an overhead bracket, to assist in installation of the overall apparatus for purposes of use. The overhead bracket 26, as shown in exploded view in FIG. 7, is made up of 25 mating male and female members 27, 28 which are adapted, in use, to be located around the track 20, with threaded bolts or the like 29 to be located within shaped and opposed slots 30 of the female member 28 and to be affixed therein by means of co-operating nuts 31. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the threaded bolts 29 and co operating nuts 31 protrude upwardly of the overhead bracket 26 to allow for 30 connection with further brackets of the type referred to earlier, Both the male and female members 27, 28 include an aperture 32 which is adapted to receive and iWI2A)VjwC1O3dW9.wev Wped dnc,9 -10 releasably retain therein a threaded bolt or the like 33, to affix the overall bracket 26 in place relative to the rail 20. With reference now to FIGS. 9 to 11, such show an apparatus in accordance with the present invention in place on a structure having an caved roof. The overall 5 apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, is attached to roof trusses 40 by means of roof truss tail brackets, generally designated 41 and shown in more detail in FIG. 11. Such roof truss tail bracket 41 is releasably affixed to a roof truss 40 at or in the vicinity of the free end thereof, and is adapted in use to co-operate with the overhead bracket 26 of the type shown in FIG. 7. The winch, hoist or the like 21 can then operate to 10 travel along the track 20 as required to each site for installation of a panel 1. The truss tail bracket 41 as shown preferably of a metal, includes a base assembly, made up of two juxtaposed plates 42, 43 each having opposed apertures 44 formed therein, such to have located therethrough in use, the bolts 29 of overhead bracket 26. Extending substantially normally from plate 42 are opposed plate 15 members 45, 46 each having an array of apertures 47 formed at spaced-apart locations along the height thereof, such apertures in use to have extending therethrough fixing means 48, to protrude into a roof truss 40 interposed between the plate members 45, 46, as shown in FIG. 9. Turning now to FIGS. 12 to 15, there is shown in FIG. 12 for example the 20 apparatus in accordance with the invention to be used on a structure without an eave. To allow fbr use of the method and apparatus in such a context, the overall apparatus further has associated therewith a plurality of beams 50, to be located as shown by means of a plurality of cantilever beam brackets 51 of the aforementioned type. As shown, for example, in FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c, a plurality of variants of the bracket 25 51 may be used, dependent on the desired location, By way of example, at or in the vicinity of the free end of the or each beam 50 there will be provided a bracket 52 of the type shown in FIG. 1 5C, to co-operate with an overhead bracket 26 for receiving track 20 and associated with 21, At other locations along the beam 50 there may be employed brackets 53,54 of the type shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b, of a similar nature 30 to that shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 16 and 17 show yet another variant, wherein the track 20 and associated hoist 21 are best fitted/attached to a wall stud 4, by means of a wall stud 19 1 12/jm I7083d19;provspi dnc,10 - 11 bracket 60. Such bracket 60, as shown in more detail in FIG. 17 preferably includes two telescoping members 61 and 62, of hollow tubular construction, with member 62 having, at the free end thereof, a pivotable extension member 63 having means 64 associated therewith for releasable connection with an overhead bracket 5 26. Pivotably attached to the free end of the member 61 are two arm members 65,66, each being provided at the free end thereof with clamping means 67, preferably in the form of a U-shaped member, to be disposed around a stud 4 as shown in FIG. 16 and to be releasably affixed thereto in any suitable manner and using any suitable means, as for example a plurality of threaded members 68. 10 In FIG. 18 there is shown a variant of the arrangement of FIGS. 16 and 17, wherein the second member 62 of the bracket 60 is of an extended length, whereby to be readily adjustable to suit differing use requirements. FIGS. 19 to 21, including 21a, show further variants of fixing brackets 70, 71 and 72 for use in accordance with the invention. 15 With particular reference to FIG. 21a, there is illustrated therein an arrangement wherein a top bracket, described as 80, can be associated with and preferably be slideably located within, an extension number 81, to give use to an overall bracket which is adjustable in its height or length dimension. In that manner a bottom bracket, generally designated 82, can be slideably connectable to the other 20 end of the extension number 81. Preferably the extension number 81 is of such a length as to allow for an overall height or length of the assembly of it between 900mm and 6 metres. The method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention have been found to be responsible for a number of practical advantages, when compared with 25 the prior art. In accordance with an especially preferred feature of the invention, not specifically shown in the drawings, a remote control means can be provided for activation/operation of the apparatus and use of the method. In an alternative, as shown, a control means may be in direct electrical connection with the winch, hoist 30 or the like apparatus. The advantage associated with use of a remote control means is the elimination of the need for direct electrical connection - as for example by an 13/0511 ,cg 17083 spec doc.I I - 12 electrical cable or conduit - between the winch or the like apparatus and the actual control. First of all the method and apparatus are responsible for a significant improvement in terms of ease of installation. By way of example, in this day and age 5 occupational health and safety standards require that, in the construction industry, and especially where a multi-storey structure is involved, extensive safety scaffolding must first of all be erected, extending across effectively the entire work area, prior to commencement of construction of a brick wall for example. Apart from the overall costs associated with purchasing, renting or leasing the various 10 components required to make up such a safety scaffolding structure, there is a significant amount of time involved in the actual erection and dismantling thereof. With the present applicant's method and apparatus, however, the need for such scaffolding is reduced. With multi-storey structures, when the external walls are formed from 15 brickwork and the like, the higher the structure itself the greater the load which needs to be borne by foundations, etc. With the preferred context of usage of the present invention, involving the use of HEBEL (trade mark) blocks or panels, such panels for any given area of wall are significantly lighter when compared with a brick structure of the same dimensions. Indeed, in real terms such walls constructed for panels will 20 be up to only one-third of the weight of an equivalent wall of brick. Such will mean, in practical terms, that there may no longer be a need in any multi-storey structure to have the external walls of the or each upper storey formed from a light weight material (meaning timber or the like), as has been a common practice in the past to reduce load exerted on foundations, etc. By utilising such HEBEL (trade mark) 25 panels or blocks, to cover all external walls of a given structure, there can be expected to be achieved a significant improvement in sound and heat insulation, when compared with the prior art composite brick/timber structures. In terms of actual cost, apart from reducing the need for preliminary construction of scaffolding and the like, the actual cost of utilising HEBEL (trade 30 mark) panels in an external wall has been found to be significantly less than if bricks or the like were to be employed in that same wall. 13/05/1 I.cg 17083 spcctdoc,12 - 13 The method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention will also allow for erection of an external wall for a given structure in much less time than would be involved if a brick wall was being constructed. This again means a further reduction in the overall cost of construction of any given structure. 5 To be more specific, using the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention gives rise to a significant reduction in construction time - this when compared to prior art practices. Apart from a saving in cost in terms of material, this significant saving in time - and ease - of construction represents an important practical and economic advantage attributable to the method and apparatus 10 of the The apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention are, as shared earlier in this specification, particularly and especially suited to the erection of low profile structures, to an overall height of 12 meters. Usage of the apparatus and method can avoid the mode for the erection or maintenance on such of scaffolding or 15 the like, which can give rise to substantial savings in cost. The apparatus and method may be used by as few as two persons/workers, this is marked contract to industry methods. In that regard it should be understood that, with existing apparatus and methods, the construction of wall panels to construct an internal wall of a structure in is generally a time-consuming and labour-intensive task, necessarily regular shifting 20 of equipment relative to the wall being constructed. Finally, it should be understood that the foregoing specification refers merely to preferred embodiments of a method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be 25 determined from the following claims. 13/05/1 ,cg 17083 specidoc,13

Claims

1. An apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a low profile building or the like structure (as 5 hereinbefore defined), said apparatus including: support means adapted to be removably disposed at or in the vicinity of the upper of said locations whereby to extend at least partially there-across, said support means including at least one elongate member which is releasably affixed relative to one or more frame members of said building or the like structure; a plurality of bracket means for releasably 10 affixing said support means in place relative to said frame members of said building or the like structure; lifting means adapted to be releasably connected to said support means, said lifting means including means associated therewith for receiving and releasably retaining an object which is to be moved between said spaced-apart locations of said building or the like structure, the arrangement being such that, in 15 use, said lifting means and said receiving and retaining means are selectively and controllably movable, relative to said support means, vertically and/or horizontally relative to said building or the like structure, wherein said elongate member is in the form of a hollow tubular member, which is releasably affixed relative to said frame members of said building or the like structure, the arrangement being such that said 20 lifting means is selectively and controllably movable along and relative to said support means wherein said elongate member is releasably affixed relative to said frame members with the interposition of one or more bracket means.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said object to be moved 25 is a panel or block of a suitable material (as hereinbefore defined), to constitute part of an internal or external wall of said building or the like structure.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said panel is constructed from timber. 30

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said panel is constructed from aerated concrete or the like material. 26/06/I2jm 17083jun26.speci,14 - 15

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said object to be moved is a framework of a light steel material. 5

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spaced-apart locations are distinct storeys of a building or the like structure.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a sling, adapted in use to be disposed 10 around said object (or objects) and to be releasably connected to said lifting means.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a substantially tubular, hollow member having at least one bracket means associated therewith and depending substantially 15 normally thereto, wherein said at least one bracket means is adapted to be releasably attached to said object (or objects) and to said lifting means.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting means includes a winch or hoist which is releasably associated with said 20 receiving and retaining means and selectively and controllably movable along said support means.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, including one or more bracket means dependent upon the configuration of the walls and/or roof of said 25 building or the like structure.

11. A method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a low profile building or the like structure, said method including the steps of: 30 locating a support means, having lifting means associated therewith, relative to said building or the like structure, said support means being adapted to extend substantially transversely of said building or the like structure; 26/06/12jmI 7083jun26.speci, 13 - 16 attaching a retaining means to the or each said object, said retaining means being adapted to be releasably connectable to said lifting means; and operating said lifting means to move said retaining means, with the or each said object associated therewith, between said spaced-apart locations, and to a 5 desired position on said building or the like structure, for affixture thereto.

12. Apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10

13. A method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 26/06/12jm| 7 083jun26.speci. 16