AU2010200919A1 - Handling Apparatus for Sheet Materials - Google Patents

Description

mcinnes patents AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Applicant: CSR Building Products Limited Level 4, 9 Help Street Chatswood NSW 2067 Actual Inventors: Stephen Elio Zadro Rory Campbell Kennard Address for Service: HODGKINSON McINNES PATENTS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys Levels 21, 201 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 HMcIP Ref: P21293AU01 Invention Title: Handling Apparatus for Sheet Materials Details of Priority Applications: 2009901017 Australia 10 March 2009 2010900032 Australia 5 January 2010 P110AU 2 HANDLING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a handling apparatus for sheet materials of varying sizes and shapes, which can be lifted on and off a transport truck, and more particularly to a handling apparatus that can be stacked. A handling apparatus provided by the present invention may also facilitate the movement, transport or storage of sheets of material at a 10 fabrication site for this material, and at the ultimate installation or usage site for this material. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 15 At present, several frames for the transportation of sheet or similar material of varying sizes and shapes are known. Some of these frames are arranged in the shape of an inverted "V" and sometimes referred to as an "A-frame" where sheet material is leant against the reclined surface of the A-frame when being stacked ready for storage or transport. The sheet or 20 similar material once stacked is typically secured to this A-frame by a variety of cable and/or tie systems. These cable and/or tie systems are known to apply compressive forces to the surface of stacked sheet materials, which can cause damage to stacked items in transit. 25 An A-frame before stacking may be placed on a trolley with casters or wheels to enable it to be moved into and out of storage once stacked. Such trolleys are discarded when the A-frame is placed or lifted onto the platform of a flatbed transport truck to ensure the A-frame will not move in transit. This often means that the A-frame when transported and unloaded at a 30 destination can't be moved easily without equipment such as forklifts and or cranes.

3 Once the sheet material has been unloaded from these A-frames at their destination the same or similar vehicle typically returns the A-frame empty. In this manner, the empty A-frame themselves become the cargo and the vehicle typically cannot make the return trip with additional articles 5 or the like because the A-frames occupy the cargo space. Hence, the cost of delivery is higher than it needs to be due to the inefficient utilisation of the vehicle's running costs, cargo space and A-frame on its return trip. Handling issues are also apparent with respect to such sheet materials 10 both at fabrication sites for the material and also at the installation or usage site. Large sheets of material, particularly when formed from fragile or breakable materials can be difficult to transport around the fabrication sites and also require careful packing if sheets of material are to be stored for any length of time. For example, in the case of sheets of glass material, 15 care needs to be taken in the handling of the glass in the factory, during transportation of the glass and subsequently at the site of ultimate application or use of the glass. It would be of advantage to have an improved handling system which mitigated any of the issues discussed above in the handling of sheets of 20 material. In particular, it would be of advantage to have an improved handling system which acted to cushion or buffer sheet materials in a gentle manner while still effectively securing same during transportation. It would also be of advantage to have an improved handling system which reduced the need for double handling of materials during transportation and in 25 particular which eliminated the need for sheet materials to be loaded individually onto a vehicle and then subsequently unloaded individually from the vehicle. SUMMARY OF INVENTION 30 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handling apparatus for sheet materials which includes: 4 a base assembly which incorporates a main body and at least one contact surface; two opposed backrest assemblies mounted on the base assembly at an oblique angle to the main body of the base assembly; and 5 at least one restraint belt configured to locate at least one sheet of material in association with a backrest assembly and a contact surface of the base assembly. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is 10 provided a handling apparatus substantially as described above wherein the arrangement of said backrest assemblies with respect to the base assembly defines a void capable of receiving a substantial portion of the backrest assemblies of a further handling apparatus. 15 According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a handling assembly substantially as described above wherein a single restraint belt is capable of at least partially restraining sheets of material located on both backrest assemblies. 20 A base assembly may preferably include a rectangular frame with a flat horizontal underside made of a metal material or any other suitable material, which is strong, durable and meets the requirements of the invention. 25 Preferably, the dimensions of the base assembly are provided as an integer multiple of the dimensions of a goods transportation pallet. The selection of this particular range of dimensions allows the handling apparatus to maximise the space available with transportation vehicles. This allows for efficient space utilisation on the trays of transportation 30 trucks (for example) which in turn are set out with dimensions that are integer multiples of goods transportation pallet dimensions.

5 Either side of the lengthways centerline of the base assembly can be provided multiple rectangular openings of the same dimensions - preferably having a step down recess fixed to the inside edge of each rectangular opening parallel to the centreline. 5 Preferably a base assembly incorporates at least one contact surface. A contact surface can be used to provide an area on which an edge or side of a sheet material is to be rested when the handling apparatus is loaded with sheet materials. In a further preferred embodiment a base assembly 10 may include a plurality of contact surfaces associated with or adjacent to each opposed backrest assembly. This plurality of contact surfaces can in turn define spaces or voids in the base assembly which give access to the edge or side of a sheet located on these contact surfaces. 15 Reference throughout the specification will also be made to a base assembly including a plurality of contact surfaces used in association with each backrest assembly. However those skilled in the art should appreciate that the present invention may include a single contact surface formed from a sheet or length of material if required. 20 In a preferred embodiment a contact surface may include or be faced with a resilient compressible padding material arranged to cushion the edge of any sheet material placed in contact with a contact surface. 25 In one embodiment a base assembly may include a plurality of contact surfaces formed from a set of square channels fixed on top of both outside lengthways edges of the base assembly. These channels can in such instances be aligned perpendicularly inwards and down and fixed to a step down recess of the inside edge at the bottom of a rearwardly reclined 30 backrest assembly. Preferably a contact surface or surfaces of the base assembly can be angled relative to the main body of the base assembly. This angling of the 6 main body of the base assembly can allow a contact surface to form substantially a right angle with the adjacent backrest assembly, while the back rest will in turn form an oblique angle relative to the main body of the base assembly. This arrangement of the contact surface or surfaces 5 provides a secure footing for material stacks on the handling apparatus while also stabilise the positioning of sheets of material when laid against a back rest assembly. In a preferred embodiment the base assembly may include a plurality 10 of rectangular openings with each of these openings configured to receive the fork of a fork lift. For example, in one embodiment, preferably equidistant inwards from the corners along the lengthways side surface of the base assembly may be provided rectangular slots that are aligned perpendicularly inwards to allow forklifts to move the invention. 15 In one embodiment, the base assembly may include at least one cavity with a complimentary form to a locking pin associated with a transportation vehicle. For example, along and underneath the lengthways side adjacent to the rectangular slots may be provided a cavity to 20 removably engage and disengage with the top of a locking pin of a support frame or those typically used on flatbed transport trucks. Inwards from the corners along the lengthways side surface of the base assembly in-line with each cavity may be provided openings to allow a 25 user to visually or manually align and access the top of a locking pin. These visual access points can be used when the base assembly is being lowered onto the either a support frame or the flatbed of a transport truck. In some embodiments, the base assembly may include a plurality of 30 apertures configured to receive tie down straps. For example, at either end of the base assembly equidistance in from each corner can be provided rectangular openings to allow users to tie the frame system to transport 7 trucks to inhibit the frame system and stacked sheet material from movement when in transit. In some embodiments, the base assembly may include a plurlatiy of 5 detachable wheels. For example, in some cases, between a cavity underneath the lengthways sides and adjacent to the corners of the base assembly may be provided removably attached castor wheels to allow the user to readily roll the invention over a flat surface. 10 Inwards from the base assembly corners along the lengthways side surface in-line with each castor wheel may be provided an opening to allow a spring loaded pin to removably engage and disengage with the top of a castor wheel positioning pin so that a user can manually insert or remove the castor wheel. 15 Two backrest assemblies of the same construction may preferably be tilted rearwardly slightly from the main body of the base assembly, together forming an inverted "V" shape. This arrangement may preferably fix the backrest's top horizontal edges and bottom edges at right angles to a 20 contact surface of the base assembly. Advantageously, the fixed top horizontal edges of each backrest assembly may provide reinforcement and stability for the overall frame. A backrest assembly preferably has suitable dimensions to support sheet material of varying sizes and shapes. 25 A backrest assembly may be constructed with a plurality of vertical and horizontal fixed struts that have attached material preferably made of polyurethane, rubber or any other suitable compressible padding material to provide a vibration dampening effect and to protect the surfaces of sheet material positioned thereon. 30 Preferably the opposed backrest assemblies may be integrated within the base assembly so as to define a void or space between the backrest assemblies. This space may be arranged or dimensioned so as to receive a 8 substantial portion of the backrest assemblies of a further handling apparatus, thereby allowing multiple handling apparatuses to be stacked one on top of each other when they need to be stored or transported within a compact volume. 5 Preferably the construction of the base assembly may be such that a channel remains open within the base assembly leading to an open void, region or space defined within between the two backrest assemblies which can receive at least the majority of another handling apparatus' backrests. 10 Preferably the opposite intersecting ends of the backrest assemblies at either end of the handling apparatus may be provided with a tapering form or shape. Tapering the far ends of the intersecting backrest assemblies assists in the stacking of two handling apparatus into one 15 another, where the tapering of the top ends of the backrests can be used to guide same into the void defined between the two backrest assemblies of another handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the handling apparatus may include an 20 attachment system which allows the upper regions of the backrest assemblies to be engaged with the hoisting lines of a lifting crane or other similar equipment. For example, in one embodiment the handling apparatus may include 25 a pair of crane lifting points or eyelets located at substantially opposite ends of the intersecting edges of the backrest assembly. These crane lifting eyelets can be engaged with the lifting line or lines of a crane (for example), to facilitate lifting the entire handling apparatus onto or off from a transportation vehicle. 30 In some embodiments the handling apparatus may include at least one lifting plate. A lifting plate may be employed to provide an effective point of attachment for a crane or other similar lifting equipment. In a 9 further preferred embodiment, a lifting plate may be pivotably engaged with at least one of the backrest assemblies to allow this lifting plate to be pivoted between an in use or storage configuration. For example, in a storage configuration, a lifting plate may be held or retained within a recess 5 defined by the upper regions of the two backrest assemblies, while in an in use configuration, a lifting plate may project out and away from the ends of the intersecting backrest assemblies. For example, in one specific embodiment, in-between the top 10 horizontal edges of each backrest assembly at each corner may be provided a lifting plate that a user can rotate outwardly about a pivoting axis to a position that allows the invention to be lifted by a crane or similar, or rotated inwardly when not in use. 15 Those skilled in the art should appreciate that any required combination or permutation of lifting plates and crane lifting eyelets may be employed in various embodiments of the present invention. For example in some cases a handling apparatus may be provided with both a pair of crane lifting eyelets and also a pair of lifting plates. In other embodiments only a 20 single pair of crane lifting eyelets may be provided or alternatively, a single pair of lifting plates may be provided. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that various arrangements of such systems which facilitate the lifting of the handling apparatus are within the scope of the present invention. 25 Preferably the present invention incorporates at least one restraint belt configured to locate at least one sheet of material in association with a backrest and a contact surface of the base assembly. In a further preferred embodiment a plurality of restraint belts may be provided in conjunction with the present invention to assist in securing a sheet of material in 30 association with a backrest and the contact surfaces of the base assembly at various points along the length of this sheet material.

10 In a preferred embodiment a restraint belt may be utilised which operates in relation to both backrest assemblies. Such a single restraint belt may for example run from one side of the base assembly up to and over the upper regions of the backrest assemblies and then down again to 5 the opposite side of the base assembly. This arrangement of a restraint belt allows a single belt to secure sheet material located on both backrest assemblies, simplifying the design of the present invention and limiting the number of connection points required for a restraint belt to be engaged, thereby speeding, the loading or unloading of the handling apparatus. 10 In a preferred embodiment, a single restraint belt may be looped through, captured or otherwise retained by an element or elements of a backrest assembly. A belt capture system associated with a backrest assembly can ensure that a belt is always available and in position in 15 relation to the invention when required. For example, in one further preferred embodiment a capture system may be formed by a loop or eyelet defined in the top or upper regions of both of the backrest assemblies provided. This upper eyelet can then have an end of a restraint belt threaded through it so that the eyelet will act to capture or retain a belt 20 assembly in place with respect to the invention. In some embodiments, a restraint belt may be engaged with one side of the base assembly by a rod fixed substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the base assembly. The main axis of the base assembly may be 25 defined as the center line of the handling apparatus running parallel to the two longest sides of the handling apparatus. This rod may be engaged by a hook or other equivalent connector system associated with one end of a restraint belt. For example, in some embodiments the invention may include at 30 least one restraint belt removably engaged to the top of the backrest assemblies down to a plurality of rods fixed perpendicular between the inside of the step down recess of each rectangular opening and the lengthways edges of the base assembly. This arrangement allows a user to 11 move the belt easily around the front of the stacked sheet material to assist in securely holding sheets of material against the front face of the backrest assemblies. 5 The use of this system of rods gives a backrest assembly which can be quickly and easily used in conjunction with the present invention. A user simply needs to locate the relevant free end of a restraint belt and engage this end onto a rod adjacent to the base assembly. A tightening system used to shorten the overall length of the belt may then be operated to 10 firmly engage a belt with a load of sheet material to be handled in conjunction with the invention. In some embodiments, a restraint belt may incorporate resilient padding material enclosed within a sleeve. For example, a restraint belt 15 may be formed from foam padding enclosed within a textile sleeve or any suitable material that in use provides a combination of compressive force and lateral movement restriction. In some embodiments the present invention may also incorporate a 20 support frame configured for engagement with the under side of a base assembly. A support frame may be provided to engage to and preferably lock onto the base assembly, with the arrangement of the support frame used being dictated by the current process to be completed with respect to the sheet material being handled. For example, in some instances a 25 support frame may define a mounting system used as an intermediary component to lock the handling apparatus to the tray or deck of a transportation vehicle. In other embodiments a support frame may form a wheeled carriage which can allow the handling apparatus to be manually transported around a fabrication site or the final destination for the sheet 30 material loaded onto the handling apparatus. In other embodiments a support frame may form a work platform which can locate in place the handling apparatus for loading, unloading or 12 for processing of sheet material located on or associated with a backrest and contact surface of the base assembly. A support frame may function in a number of different roles in 5 conjunction with the present invention. A frame may receive or otherwise provide a set of wheels allowing for the transportation of materials to be handled, or may assist in general terms in providing a further peripheral function, feature or element of the present invention. A support frame mounted on the tray of a truck or lorry can also allow for the elevation of a 10 base assembly which could potentially still include a number of removable wheels. In this role, a support frame eliminates the need for wheels provided on a base assembly to be removed for transportation. In some embodiments a support frame may be configured to receive 15 or may incorporate a set of wheels or castors associated with the lower or bottom regions of the support frame. Castors or wheels provided on a support frame allow the handling apparatus to be readily moved around on flat surfaces. 20 In a further preferred embodiment wheels or castors provided in conjunction with a support frame may be removably attached or detachable from the support frame. This arrangement of support frame provides a significant degree of flexibility with respect to the uses which may be made of the present invention. 25 In some embodiments a support frame may be provided with a stackable storage configuration. For example, in some embodiments the upper regions of a frame may be provided with projecting lugs or locking depressions while the opposite under sided frame may be provided with 30 complimentary depressions or projecting lugs. This stackable arrangement allows support frames to be stored one on top of each other in a compact fashion when not required or not in use.

13 In some embodiment a support frame may preferably be formed from a flat horizontal rectangular frame made of square metal channel or any other suitable material, which is strong and durable and has a plurality of openings spaced along the top surface of the support frame adapted to hold 5 locking pins the same construction as those used on flatbed transport trucks in a fixed position. The locking pins may be connected to sliding control arms that extend past either end of the support frame to allow a user to remotely lock and unlock the locking pins when they are engaging with cavities underneath the base assembly. Underneath each corner of the 10 support frame a cavity may be provided to engage and disengage with the top of the locking pins of the flatbed transport truck or another support frame. The support frame can therefore provide a secure mounting underneath at least one base assembly with or without castor wheels. 15 In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so 20 on. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by 25 way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Table 1 provides an index of reference numbers used to the components illustrated; 30 FIG.1 is a perspective view of handling apparatus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment; FIG.2 is a further perspective view of a handling apparatus shown with respect to FIG. 1; 14 FIG.3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1; FIG.4 is a front view of FIG. 1; FIG.5 is an end view of FIG. 1; FIG.6 is a detailed perspective view showing a corner and castor 5 wheel; FIG.7 is a detailed perspective view showing spring loaded pin; FIG.8 is a detailed perspective view showing a lifting plate; FIG.9 is a detailed perspective view showing vertically stacked empty handling apparatuses; 10 FIG.10 is a perspective view of a handling apparatus with castor wheels in the embodiment of FIG. 1; and FIG.11 is an underneath perspective view of an empty handling apparatus from the embodiment of FIG. 1 without castor wheels. FIGS. 12a and 12b show side and top views of the apparatus of FIG. 15 1 when loaded with glass sheets engaged by way of a set of restraint belts; FIGS. 13a and 13b show side and plan views of a support frame provided in accordance with an alternative embodiment to that shown with respect to FIG. 1. 20 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 where a handling apparatus is shown with a base assembly arranged in the upright position, and shown in FIG. 10 without a support frame which is disengaged 25 from the base assembly. The handling apparatus includes a support frame generally indicated at 1, a base assembly 2, backrest assemblies 3 and a number of restraint belts 4. 30 The arrangement is such that the base assembly 2 is a rectangular frame with a flat horizontal underside made of a metal material or any other suitable material, which is strong, durable and meets the requirements of 15 the invention. Equidistance from both sides of the lengthways centerline of the base assembly 2 is the internal wall 6 of the base 2 aligned parallel to the centerline providing a rectangular opening the length of the base 2. Between the internal walls 6 and outside lengthways edge 7 on both sides 5 of the lengthways centerline of the base 2 is a plurality of fixed struts 8 aligned both lengthways and width ways providing the same sized and shaped rectangular openings. On the outside edge 9 of the internal wall 6 is fixed a step down 10 recess 10. A number of contact surfaces are provided on the base assembly by a set of square channels 11 with the same height dimension lay fixed on top of both outside lengthways edges 7 of the base assembly 2. These channels 11 are aligned perpendicularly inwards and down fixed to the step down recess 10 of the outside edge 9 at the bottom of the rearwardly 15 reclined backrest assembly 3 to form a right angle between to support stacked sheet materials of varying sizes and shapes. The top side of the square contact surface channel 11 has attached material 12 made of polyurethane, rubber or any other suitable material to provide a vibration dampening effect and to protect the surfaces of sheet material positioned 20 thereon. A plurality of rods lay fixed on top of the step down recess 10 aligned perpendicularly outwards and down to the inside surface of the outside lengthways edges 7 of the base assembly 2. The sloping angle of the rods 5 allow the user to easily slide one end of a restraint belt 4 towards stacked sheet material and secure it against the surface of the stacked 25 material. Equidistant inwards from the corners along the lengthways side surface 13 of the base assembly 2 are rectangular slots 14 that are aligned perpendicularly inwards allowing forklifts to move the handling apparatus. 30 Along and underneath the lengthways side 13 adjacent to the rectangular slots 14 is a cavity 15 formed to engage and disengage with the top of the locking pin 16 of the support frame 1 or similar locking pins (not shown) typically used on flatbed transport trucks. Inwards from the corners along 16 the lengthways side surface 13 of the base assembly 2 in-line with each cavity 15 are openings 17 to allow the user to visually or manually align and access the top of the locking pin 16 when the base assembly 2 is being lowered onto or lifted from either the support frame 1 or the flatbed of a 5 transport truck. Further, the openings 17 allow the user to easily verify that the locking pin 16 is locked or unlocked. At either end of the base assembly 2 equidistance in from each corner are rectangular openings 18 to allow users to tie the handling apparatus to transport trucks. These ties can be used to inhibit the handling apparatus and stacked sheet material from 10 moving when in transit and prevent subsequent damage during transit. Between the cavity 15 underneath the lengthways sides 13 and adjacent to the corners of the base assembly 2 are removably attached castor wheels 19 to allow the user to readily move the handling apparatus 15 when stacked or un-stacked. On top and center of the castor wheel 19 is fixed a positioning pin 20 that removably engages through the opening of a fixed strut 8 to hold the wheel in position and connect with the spring loaded pin 21. Inwards from the base assembly 2 corners along the lengthways side surface 13 is an opening 22 provided with a spring loaded 20 pin 21. This pin 21 is adapted to engage and disengage with the positioning pin 20 atop of the castor wheel 19 so that a user can pull or push the pin 21 to insert or remove the castor wheel 19. The support frame 1 is formed from a flat horizontal rectangular 25 frame made of square metal channel 25 or any other suitable material, which is strong and durable and has a plurality of openings 23 spaced along the top surface which are adapted to hold locking pins 16 in a fixed position. Further, the support frame 1 provides locking pins 16 to engage with a base assembly 2. Fixed perpendicular between the top two square metal 30 channels 25 is a plurality of fixed struts 26 providing rigidity and stability. Fixed underneath the channel 25 are varying lengths of similar square metal channel 27 which have a cavity 28 to engage and disengage with the top of the locking pin 16 of another support frame 1 or other locking pins 17 (not shown) typically used on flatbed transport trucks. On the inside vertical wall of square metal channels 25 in-line with the locking pins 16 are horizontal slots 29 which are adapted to pass the extension portion 30 through to connect with the locking pins 16. The extension portion 30 is 5 fixed to the locking pin 16 at one end and adapted at the other end to pivot relative to the control arm 24 about a pivot axis. A pivoting joint is provided between the control arm 24 and extension portion 30 in the form of an axle and or pin. The locking pins 16 removably engaged on top of the support frame 1 are constructed of metal and similar in shape to conventional 10 locking pins used on flatbed transport trucks. The locking pins 16 are connected in series to a control arm 24 that extends past either end of the support frame 1 which allows a user to remotely lock or unlock the locking pins 16 when they are engaging or disengaging with the cavities 15 underneath the base assembly 2 or the cavities 28 underneath another 15 support frame 1. The backrest assemblies 3 are tilted rearward slightly from the vertical towards each other forming an inverted "V" shape fixed at their top horizontal edges 31 and fixed at their bottom edges 32 at right angles to 20 the contact surfaces 11 of the base assembly 2. The backrest assembly 3 is made of square metal channel or any other suitable material, which is strong and durable and has suitable dimensions to support sheet material of varying sizes and shapes and is constructed with a plurality of vertical and horizontal fixed struts 33. These struts have attached material 34 made of 25 polyurethane, rubber or any other suitable material to provide a vibration dampening effect and to protect the surfaces of sheet material positioned thereon. Down from the top horizontal edges 31 fixed horizontally between to the vertical fixed struts 33 of each backrest assembly 3 is a spreader panel 35 made of strong and durable material to provide rigidity and 30 stability to the frame system. In-between the top horizontal edges 31 of each backrest assembly 3 at each corner is a pivoting lifting plate 36 that a user can rotate outwardly about a pivoting axis 37 to a position that allows the frame system to be lifted by crane or similar or rotated inwardly when 18 not in use. The pivoting axis 37 is provided in the form of a bolt or pin. The handling apparatus also includes a fixed Crane Point or eyelet 41 which appears in FIG. 8. The fixed Crane eyelet 41 is used when there is no over sized glass on the frame, and provides the load point for the lifting plate 36 5 when it is rotated outwardly.) The handling apparatus includes a number of adjustable restraint belts 4 adapted to removably attach to a plurality of inverted "U" shaped handles 38 fixed perpendicularly to the top horizontal edges 31 of the 10 backrest assembly 3 and a plurality of rods 5 that allow the user a multitude of anchoring points. This arrangement allows a user to easily attach the belt 4 around the front of the stacked sheet material to securely hold them against the front face of the backrest assemblies 3. Midway along the restraint belt 4 is a buckle device 39 which is adapted to make adjustments 15 that tighten or relax the belt's tension over and around the profile of the stacked sheet material. The restraint belt 4 incorporates foam padding material that can readily reduce the occurrence of point loading forces that can damage sheet materials when stacked on the frame system. This padding is enclosed within a textile sleeve 40 or any suitable material that 20 can provide compressive force and restricted lateral movement when positioned against stacked sheet materials. As can be seen from FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, the handling apparatus illustrated is arranged to allow for a number of apparatuses to be stacked 25 one on top of each other. As can be seen from FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 a channel is provided in the base assembly which gives access to a void defined between each of the backrest assemblies 3. This void is capable of receiving at least the majority of a portion of a further handling apparatus' backrest assemblies, as shown with respect to FIG. 9. This ability of the 30 invention to be stacked allows a number of handling apparatuses to be arranged in a compact volume either for storage or transportation.

19 FIGS. 12a and 12b show side and top views of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when loaded with glass sheets engaged by way of a set of restraint belts. FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate how a set of restraint belts 4 are 5 arranged in association with one side of the handling apparatus and one backrest assembly 3 to securely locate a number of sheets of glass material. These restraint belts 4 as illustrated with respect to FIG. 12a are 10 initially laid over a collection of sorted and stacked glass sheets The loaded handling apparatus has a number of PET straps 42 wound horizontally around the load of stacked glass to inhibit lateral movement of same relative to the handling apparatus. 15 As a final and preferable packaging step layers of shrink wrapping plastic (not shown) can be wound around both the backrest assemblies to firmly secure the load of glass sheets in place for transportation or potentially for storage. 20 FIGS. 13a and 13b show side and plan views of a support frame provided in accordance with an alternative embodiment that is shown with respect to FIG. 1. 25 FIGS. 13a and 13b show an alternative form of support frame provided in accordance with an alternative embodiment in the invention as discussed above. In particular FIG. 13a illustrates a stack of two separate support frames which are capable of receiving the remaining components of the handling apparatus discussed with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 30 and in particular can engage with the underside of the base assembly described with respect to FIG.1.

20 Each of the stacked support frames 1 also includes a set of castor wheels 19 deployed on the underside of each frame. These wheels 19 allow the entire handling apparatus to be easily manoeuvred over a flat surface even when loaded with a considerable number of glass sheets. 5 The frame 1 illustrated also incorporates a set of top projecting lugs 43 which extend down to the lower section of the frame and provide a complimentary depression which can receive a projecting top lug of a further support frame, as shown with respect to FIG. 13a. 10 A single support frame 1 as shown with respect to FIGS. 13a and 13b can be used to readily transport the entire handling apparatus over a flat surface as required. Furthermore, in other embodiments a support frame may not necessarily be provided with a set of wheels 19 and may therefore 15 provide a static and stable platform for the remaining components of the invention. In such instances the support frame will form a platform which increases the height of the sheets of material handled above the ground and thereby makes it easier for this material to be loaded, unloaded or worked on without users having to bend over or strain their backs. 20 It is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. 25 It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made which are in accordance with the spirit of the invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within the scope of the invention. Although the 30 invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (28)

1. A handling apparatus for sheet materials which includes: a base assembly which incorporates a main body and at least one contact surface; 5 two oppose backrest assemblies mounted on the base assembly at an oblique angle to the main body of the base assembly; and at least one restraint belt configured to locate at least one sheet of material in association with a backrest assembly and a contact surface of the base assembly. 10

2. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arrangement of the back rest assemblies with respect to the base assembly defines a void capable of receiving a substantial portion of the backrest assemblies of a further handling apparatus.

3. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the two opposed 15 backrest assemblies incorporate a pair of tapering ends at the opposite ends of the intersecting edges of the backrest assembly.

4. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the dimensions of the base assembly are an integer multiple of the dimensions of a goods transportation pallet. 20

5. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a backrest assembly is constructed from a plurality of struts having a resilient compressible padding material applied to the surface of same.

6. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a contact surface includes or is faced by a resilient compressible padding 25 material.

7. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a contact surface of the base assembly is angled relative to the main body of the base assembly. 22

8. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the angling of the contact surface forms substantially a right angle between a contact surface and an adjacent backrest assembly.

9. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the 5 base assembly includes a plurality of rectangular openings, each opening being configured to receive the fork of a fork lift.

10. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base assembly includes a plurality of detachable wheels.

11. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the 10 base assembly includes at least one cavity with a complimentary form to a locking pin associated with a transportation vehicle.

12. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base assembly includes a plurality of apertures configured to receive tie down straps. 15

13. A handling apparatus as claimed in a previous claim wherein the two opposed backrest assemblies include a pair of crane lifting eyelets with an eyelet located at each opposite end of the intersecting edges of said backrest assemblies.

14. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim which includes 20 at least one lifting plate.

15. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein a lifting plate is pivotably engaged with at least one backrest assembly to allow for rotation of the lifting plate into an in use or a storage configuration.

16. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a 25 single restraint belt is capable of at least partially restraining sheets of material located on both backrest assemblies. 23

17. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a plurality of restraint belts are provided along the length of a sheet material when loaded onto the handling apparatus.

18. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a 5 restraint belt runs from one side of the base assembly over the backrest assemblies and down to the opposite side of the base assembly.

19. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a restraint belt is retained by an eyelet formed in the top intersecting edges of the two opposed backrest assemblies. 10

20. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a restraint belt is engaged with one side of the base assembly by a rod fixed substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the base assembly.

21. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein a restraint belt incorporates resilient padding material enclosed within a 15 sleeve.

22. A handling apparatus as claimed in any previous claim which includes a support frame configured to engage with the underside of a base assembly.

23. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein a support frame 20 defines a mounting system used as an intermediary component to lock the handling apparatus to the deck of a transportation vehicle.

24. A handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 or 23 wherein a support frame forms a wheeled carriage allowing a loaded handling apparatus to be manually transported.

25 25. A handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 or 23 wherein a support frame forms a work platform configured to locate a handling apparatus at a specific raised height. 24

26. A handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein a support frame includes a number of releaseably engaged wheels.

27. A handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein a support frame has a stackable storage configuration provided 5 through projecting lugs and locking depressions associated with the upper regions and underside of the frame.

28. A handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and is illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.