AU2013204784A1 - Temporary Lifting Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A lifting apparatus for an object, releasably affixable at an elevated position. The apparatus comprises at least one support, with each support being releasably connected to one or more first brackets that are adapted to affix the support at the elevated position. A second bracket is adapted to releasably connect the support to a rail member. A trolley, which is releasably connected to and traversable along the rail member is also provided. The trolley has a lifting mechanism configured to retract and deploy at least one retractable element and a retention means, located at a lower end thereof for retaining the object. The rail member is rotatable around an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the rail member. Figure IB Figure 1B F gure 2

Description

1 Temporary Lifting Apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to lifting apparatus temporarily installed in an 5 elevated position and in particular, apparatus temporarily installed in an elevated position on a construction site to lift building equipment or materials between the storeys of the site. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 When constructing buildings, if it often necessary to use lifting apparatus to lift items such as building materials or equipment, due to their substantial weight or size. Many types of lifting apparatus are currently used on construction sites, including various crane, pulley and hoist arrangements. A particularly popular type of lifting apparatus is a gantry or overhead 15 crane. Such cranes have been in use in various forms since the early twentieth century and enable a user to move items in up to three axes of displacement. They have proven a simple and reliable lifting apparatus concept with a broad range of applications, such as the unloading of cargo from ships and the placement of products or machinery in factories. 20 In general, gantry cranes are complex to install and are usually permanently installed at a site for a particular purpose. However in many instances, a temporary gantry crane is required that may be installed quickly, potentially by unskilled labourers, to move heavy items. In particular, this may include instances during the construction of a building, 25 when a temporary structure is required to assist with the moving of building materials or equipment from a location on a lower storey or ground level, external to the walls of the building, to an upper storey of the building.

2 A number of attempts have previously been made to provide solutions to these problems. For example, United States patent no. 2034920, in the name of Joseph Palermo, entitled "Portable Gantry Crane", discloses an apparatus that may be temporarily constructed to lift heavy items, such as 5 railway trucks for servicing. The apparatus is essentially a gantry type crane, where a hanger having a manual winch attached to it, is attached to a suspended track allowing the hanger to roll along the track in order to position the winch and lift the truck. Whilst this invention may provide an acceptable solution for this purpose, when considered in relation to the 10 construction site of a building, it is unclear how the apparatus would be adapted to enable a user to lift items between the storeys of a building. The apparatus can not be configured to be installed within the building and extend beyond the external walls to lift articles between floors. Alternatively, if constructed to span the entire building, the apparatus would 15 prove difficult and costly to install and require significant reinforcement to provide the necessary rigidity. Australian patent no. 1997030875, in the name of Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft, entitled "Travelling Crane", discloses a gantry type crane which is constructed over an entire building site to move items in three axes 20 of movement. This solution is temporarily installed during the construction of a building and may provide an adequate degree of accuracy and range of movement when moving items within the site. However, the substantial size of the structure, the complexity of work involved to install it and the associated time and costs would prove prohibitive to many construction 25 projects. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a temporarily installed lifting apparatus which may be constructed quickly and easily to allow the lifting of items located beyond the external walls of a building and between the storeys of the building. Australian patent application no. 2008261157, in the name of Y Lift 30 Manufacturing Pty Ltd, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Movement of Objects Between Spaced Apart Locations", discloses a temporarily installed gantry type crane for the moving of articles horizontally and vertically in 3 relation to the frame of a building. Whilst the specification discloses an adequate solution to this problem, the apparatus suffers from a number of drawbacks including being complex and time consuming to install, having limited installation configurations and being unnecessarily complex to 5 maintain. For example, in the drawings and particularly figure 18, the quantity of brackets, bolts and fixings required to attach the system to various configurations of building frames, in addition to the unnecessary parts such as the "tubular elongate member [22]", are excessive and could be significantly simplified. The apparatus is also limited to being affixed only 10 to a building frame in every configuration disclosed in the specification, with no stand-alone or scaffold attachment options provided. Furthermore, the insertion of the trolley wheels within the closed tubular track element is not only time consuming but would also prevent the trolley from being easily inspected and serviced, both of which proving inconvenient and potentially 15 dangerous. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a solution that avoids or substantially alleviates any of the disadvantages present in the prior art, or which provides an alternative solution to the prior art approaches. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a lifting apparatus for an object, which is releasably affixable at an elevated position. The apparatus comprises at least one support, each support releasably connected to one or more first brackets adapted to affix the 25 support at the elevated position and a second bracket adapted to releasably connect the support to a rail member. A trolley, which is releasably connected to and traversable along the rail member, having a lifting mechanism configured to retract and deploy at least one retractable element and a retention means, located at a lower end thereof for retaining 30 the object. The rail member is rotatable around an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the rail member.

4 Preferably, each first bracket is rotatable in relation to the support around at least one axis. Preferably, each first bracket is rotatable in relation to a support member around two axes. 5 Preferably, the rail member includes an upper support section and a lower track section, wherein each second bracket is releasably attached to the support section and the trolley traverses along the track section. Preferably, the support section is spaced apart from the track section by one or more webs, each web being of a width less than a cross-sectional 10 width of the track section. Preferably, the track section is substantially hollow, and most preferably, the support section and track section are substantially hollow and circular in cross-section. In a most preferred embodiment, the rail member is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of symmetry. 15 Preferably, the rail member comprises a plurality of like sections, and most preferably each like section is engageable with each other, each section having a male end comprising a tapered protrusion, which is adapted to engage with a respective female engagement portion of an adjacent section. 20 Preferably, each first bracket is adapted to be releasably attached to one or more of: a surface, two surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, or a tubular section. Preferably, the one or more first brackets comprise two rail clamps rotatably connected to each another and configured to releasably grip a tubular 25 section.

5 Preferably, one or more first brackets are adapted to releasably clamp two opposing substantially planar surfaces. Preferably, one or more supports comprise two shafts fixed substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein a first shaft is attached to each first 5 bracket and a second shaft is attached to the second bracket. Preferably, an end of the first shaft is releasably attached to a base, the base having a surface arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Preferably, the trolley includes a rail clamp configured to releasably attach 10 the trolley to the rail member, the rail clamp including at least two rotatably operable jaws, each jaw having one or more wheels attached thereto, wherein when the jaws are rotated to a closed position, the wheels engage with a portion of the rail member. Preferably, the rail clamp also includes a locking mechanism, configured to 15 lock each jaw in a fixed position. Preferably, each jaw has an aperture arranged through at least one surface such that when the jaws are rotated to a closed position, the apertures are aligned and a fastener is inserted through each aperture, securing each jaw in a fixed position. 20 The lifting mechanism is preferably an electrically powered winch. The retractable element is preferably selected from one or more of the following: a chain, a cable, a belt, a rope or a wire. Preferably, one or more supports are associated with a winch assembly, each winch assembly including a retractable linkage extending between a 25 winching mechanism and the rail member via said support. Most preferably at least two supports are associated with a winch assembly.

6 Preferably, each support associated with a winch assembly has two or more pulley wheels rotatably connected thereto such that each pulley wheel rotates substantially on the same plane, each pulley wheel being adapted to support the retractable linkage. 5 Preferably, each support associated with a winch assembly is connected to a winch mast vertically extending away from the support, the winch mast having a pulley wheel connected along its length adapted to support the retractable linkage. Each winching mechanism preferably comprises one of: a manually 10 operated winch or an electrically powered winch. Preferably, the trolley is secured to two retractable linkages, each linkage extending between the trolley, an end portion of the rail member and a retracting means. The retracting means preferably comprises one of: a drum rotatably 15 connected to an electric motor, a drum rotatable by a user, or a user manually pulling the linkage. Preferably, each support is rotatably connected to one or more brace elements, each brace element connected between the support and a fixed position. 20 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a construction kit comprising the lifting apparatus and a multiplicity of components selected from among the support, first brackets, second brackets, rail member and trolley.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Figure 1A is a perspective view of a support brace sub-assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 1B is a perspective view of a bracket configured to rotatably connect a tubular support to two perpendicular surfaces; 10 Figure 1C is a perspective view of a bracket configured to rotatably connect a tubular support to an axle; Figure 1D is a perspective view of a bracket configured to rotatably connect an axle to two perpendicular surfaces; Figure 1E is a perspective view of a bracket configured to rotatably connect 15 a tubular member to another tubular member; Figure 2 is a side view of one aspect of the invention, showing the lifting apparatus attached to the rafter of a roof frame; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention as shown in the previous Figure; 20 Figure 4 is a front view of a monorail in accordance with another aspect of the invention; Figure 5 is a detailed view of two modular monorail parts; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of the invention, having one or more support elements attached to a horizontal 25 beam structure; Figure 7 is a side view of the invention as shown in the previous Figure; 8 Figure 8 is a side view of a further alternative arrangement of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative support brace sub-assembly; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support brace sub-assembly shown in the previous figure attached to a vertical beam structure; 5 Figure 11A is a perspective view of the arrangement of the invention shown in the previous Figure, having two additional support brace sub-assemblies; Figure 11B is an alternative perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in the previous Figure with the beam structure hidden; Figure 11C is a perspective view of a winch arrangement in accordance with 10 an alternative aspect of the invention; Figure 11D is a front view of another preferred embodiment of the invention connected to a gable roof structure; Figure 11E is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in the previous Figure; 15 Figure 11F is a detailed view of a hand winch in accordance with another aspect of the invention; Figure 11G is a perspective view of an alternative preferred winch arrangement in accordance with a different aspect of the invention; Figure 12A is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of the 20 invention, attached to a scaffold structure; Figure 12B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in the previous Figure, positioned adjacent to a flat roof beam structure; Figure 12C-12D are side views of a winch arrangement in accordance with the embodiment shown in the previous two Figures; 25 Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative support brace sub assembly; 9 Figure 14 is a perspective view of the support brace sub-assembly shown in the previous figure attached to a scaffold structure; Figure 15A is a perspective view of a trolley sub-assembly in accordance with another aspect of the invention, showing the rail clamp in an open 5 position; Figure 15B is a perspective view of the trolley sub-assembly shown in the previous Figure, showing the rail clamp in a closed position; Figure 16A is an alternative perspective view of the rail clamp attached to a track; 10 Figures 16B-16C are side and front views of the rail clamp shown in the previous Figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus configured to be rapidly 15 and temporarily installed on a construction site of a building in order to lift items in a vertical and horizontal direction. The invention is particularly directed towards use during the construction of low rise buildings, such as domestic housing, where there is a need to restrict costs and lift light weight items, such as pre-fabricated or concrete panels to construct the 20 walls of a structure. The invention is specified adequately to move lighter weight items and is not intended to transport significantly heavy items, such as rolled steel joists (RSJs) or "I-beams", which would typically require a tower crane or other similar equipment. The invention is provided as a kit of components that may be manually 25 lifted and installed on a site quickly by unskilled labourers. The simplicity of the kit and ease of installation onto a building site are both optimised to save time and costs. The kit is highly adaptable, providing a small number of different, interchangeable components that when arranged in different configurations, enable the kit to be assembled to suit a broad range of 10 construction site configurations and lifting requirements. This may include attaching the lifting apparatus to vertical or horizontal beams, gabled or parapet roof structures, tubular scaffold elements or as a freestanding apparatus. In particular, the present invention offers significant advantages 5 when installed adjacent to 'party wall' and 'zero boundary wall' construction sites, allowing construction teams to continuously construct the entire framework necessary for such structures and return to construct individual party walls or zero boundary walls using the lifting apparatus of the present invention, after the completion of the framework. This is a substantial 10 improvement over current construction approaches to party/zero boundary wall sites, which typically involve workers constructing a single dwelling frame, installing the wall materials, such as concrete panels, then constructing the adjacent frame, and so on. This is due to in such situations, the proximity of adjacent building frames prevents workers from 15 accessing the areas of the building framework to install the wall materials. Using the present invention, the lifting apparatus may be installed after the construction of the building frames enabling workers to lift wall materials into specific locations, within restricted spaces, and construct the walls. The kit of the present invention includes a number of brackets and 20 connectors having fixing elements that are rotatable around at least one axis, allowing the supports, braces and rail members of the kit to be rotated in relation to each other during installation and use, improving the manoeuvrability of the components of the system during the installation procedure and significantly assisting a small team of users to install the 25 system. The apparatus is modular and able to be continuously extended in length to provide an uninterrupted track for the lifting apparatus to travel horizontally along. The apparatus is preferably made from light-weight materials, such as aluminium tubing, to further improve the efficiency of installing the system. 30 It is preferable that the apparatus is installed to protrude beyond the perimeter walls or frame of a building to lift items located externally to the 11 structure however, the apparatus may also be adapted to be installed internally of a building frame or structure to lift items within a building. Alternatively the apparatus may be installed as an independently supported structure or on a scaffold adjacent to a building to lift items located 5 externally to the structure. In Figure 1A, a support brace sub-assembly in accordance with a first aspect of the invention is shown. The sub-assembly comprises a support shaft 1 which has one or more brackets secured along its length to releasably attach the shaft to one or more fixed locations in an elevated 10 position on a construction site, providing part of the structure necessary to support the lifting apparatus. In this embodiment, the shaft 1 has an axle bracket 2 rotatably connected to a first end of the shaft by an axle, the axle bracket adapted to be fixed to at least one surface of the construction site, or in the example shown, two surfaces arranged perpendicular to each 15 other. Whilst it is preferred that the axle bracket has two surfaces in substantially perpendicular arrangement, other angles of relationship between the two surfaces are considered within the scope of invention. The axle bracket may also have less or more than two surfaces, for instance being a single surface only. Similarly, the dual surface arrangement could 20 alternatively include a conventional clamp arrangement in order to provide a tensile or compression connection to a beam or other similar objects. The axle bracket 2 is connected to the shaft 1 by an axle fixed through the body of the shaft, allowing the shaft to rotate around a first axis such that when being installed, the bracket or shaft may be easily moved by a worker 25 to a more convenient position, decreasing the complexity of installation. Preferably, the axle is also connected to the bracket body by an additional axle arranged in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the first, allowing rotation of the shaft and first axle around a second axis, further enhancing the ease of installing the support shaft onto a site. 30 The sub-assembly also includes a ring bracket 3, having a right-angled bracket body adapted to be fixed to at least one surface of the construction site and a ring section, the ring adapted to be releasably secured around 12 the circumference of a shaft 1. The ring section is preferably rotatably connected to the right-angled portion to allow the bracket to rotate in a first plane in relation to the shaft to increase the adaptability of the sub assembly during installation. 5 The sub-assembly also comprises a third bracket being a rail bracket 4, rotatably connected to a second end of the shaft 1 by an axle fixed through the body of the shaft, allowing the bracket to rotate in relation to the shaft, and having a ring section adapted to be releasably secured around a rail. The ring section is also preferably rotatably attached to the axle portion in a 10 perpendicular orientation to the axle to allow the ring to rotate around a second axis. It is preferable that the ring and rail are both circular, however, the ring may also be adapted to retain or clamp other cross sections of rail. It is also within the scope of the invention that any of the brackets are permanently fixed to the shaft or in a non-rotatable connection 15 with the shaft if required. Figures 1B-1D show detailed perspective views of each bracket discussed in relation to the previous Figure, showing an axle bracket 2, ring bracket 3 and rail bracket 4, respectively. On both the axle bracket and ring bracket, at least one planar surface is provided, each surface having an array of 20 different sized fixture apertures to provide a number of different fixing points for a user to secure fixtures, such as screws, through the body of the bracket and to a surface of a construction site. This arrangement is particularly advantageous as provides a user installing the apparatus with a number of options regarding where to fix the bracket to one or more 25 surfaces of the construction site. In figure 1E an alternative preferred bracket embodiment is shown, being a pipe bracket 30, having two pipe clamps, configured to releasably clamp a cylindrical pipe, rotatably connected to one another around at least one axis. This is a useful bracket when connecting support shafts to scaffolding 30 tubes or other, similar cylindrical sections.

13 In Figure 2 a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown attached to the rafters of a roof structure. This aspect of the invention comprises at least one support brace sub-assemblies shown in Figure 1A having a support shaft 1 attached by brackets 2,3 are to at least one surface of a 5 rectangular cross-section rafter. In this embodiment, a monorail 5 is connected to each rail bracket 4 and suspended below the support shaft. The monorail has two sections, a support section 51 and a track section 52, the support section adapted to be secured by one or more rail brackets to one or more support shafts and the rail section adapted for a trolley sub 10 assembly 6 rail to grip and travel along. The trolley sub-assembly includes a lifting mechanism 7, preferably being a powered arrangement such as an electric winch, and a retractable component 8 such as a chain, rope or cable. The lifting mechanism is in connection with the retractable component and able to deploy or retract the component in order to lift 15 items secured to an end of the component. It is preferred that the lifting mechanism is electronically powered and controllable by a remote control device however the winch may be directly activated by controls on its external surface or by other means. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention as shown in the previous 20 figure, illustrating the monorail suspended below a gabled roof beyond the perimeter of the building, allowing the apparatus to lift items external of the building. Figure 4 is a front view of a monorail in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The monorail 5 has two distinct regions being 25 a track section 52, along which the trolley sub-assembly travels horizontally along, and a support section 51, which the rail brackets 4 connect to and attach the rail to a support member or directly to a construction site. The distinction between the two sections allows rail brackets to be fixed at any location along the support section without affecting the path of the trolley 30 along the track section. The two monorail sections 51, 52 are preferably joined by a plurality of webs, arranged in a co-linear orientation, each web having a width dimension of less than the cross-sectional width fo the track 14 section, ensuring the trolley may travel pass each web uninterrupted. However other similar configurations are considered within the scope of the invention to join the two sections, such as a continuous wall. It is preferable that the track and support section are tubular and substantially circular in 5 cross section to allow a rail bracket to be connected to the monorail regardless of its orientation in relation to the support shaft, further enhancing the convenience and efficiency of installing the system. In the preferred embodiment the two sections are substantially identical and mirrored along a longitudinal plane of symmetry such that the monorail 10 may be installed and used regardless of orientation. Whilst the monorail preferably has a single track and support section, it is within the scope of the invention that more than one track or support section may be provided. In Figure 5, a detailed view of the ends of two monorail components 5 are shown, illustrating two male connection bosses 15 arranged at a first end of 15 each section of the monorail configured to fit within two complimentary recesses at the opposite ends of the monorail, connecting adjacent monorail units together to form a modular system having a continuous track. It is preferable that each connection boss has a tapered end to assist the insertion of the connection boss into an end of an adjacent monorail. It is 20 also preferable that at least a portion of both the rail and support sections are hollow and the connection bosses adapted to fit snugly within the inside diameter of each section, decreasing the movement of adjacent rails in relation to each other. The male connection bosses are preferably of a substantial length such that when adjacent rail units are connected 25 together, the connection formed provides substantial support for a loaded trolley to travel over the joint without the rails separating and that rail brackets are not required to be positioned directly over the joint to reinforce the bond. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative preferred arrangement of the invention, 30 showing a support brace shaft 1 and brackets 2, 3 connected to a horizontal beam and suspending the monorail 5 beyond the perimeter of the structure.

15 In Figure 7 a side view of the arrangement previously discussed in Figure 6 is shown, illustrating the trolley sub-assembly 6 suspended below the monorail 5. In Figure 8 a further alternative preferred embodiment of the invention is 5 shown, wherein the support shaft 1 is fixed by brackets 2 and 3 on an incline to suspend the rail 5 and trolley sub-assembly on the distal side of a wall from the support brace sub-assembly. Figure 9 illustrates an alternative preferred aspect of the invention showing an alternative support brace sub-assembly in which a support mast 9 has 10 two support shafts arranged substantially perpendicular to each other and fixed by at least one tensile web element. The second shaft, shown in a horizontal orientation, has a pipe bracket 30 secured along its length to rotatably connect a monorail below the top shaft of the mast. Whilst it is preferable that the two shafts of the mast are arranged substantially 15 perpendicular to each other to provide a vertical-horizontal relationship, it will be appreciated that other angular arrangements, such as acute or obtuse angles, are within the scope of the invention. In Figure 10 the support-brace sub-assembly described in Figure 8 is shown attached to a vertical beam of a building, suspending a monorail 5 below 20 the horizontal shaft of the mast 9, with a pipe bracket 30, within the cavity between a 'zero boundary' wall. As it can be seen in the Figure, when the apparatus is installed in this scenario, this provides a number of distinct user advantages as this allows a user to lift items, such as concrete panels, within the restricted space between the two boundary walls and install the 25 articles held in place by the invention, to form the walls of the structure. Figure 11A is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention installed on a flat roof beam structure, the embodiment having three support masts 9 attached by a plurality of ring brackets 3 to the beams of the structure, each support mast having additional braces 31 30 extending from the rear of each mast to the beams of the structure to provide additional support. Each support mast is connected to a monorail 5 16 by a pipe bracket 30, the monorail having a trolley sub-assembly 7 secured to its rail section 52. The trolley sub-assembly in this embodiment is lifting a Hebel panel to assist installation of the panel to the beam structure. In this embodiment, the trolley 7 also has two retractable linkages 33, 34, 5 in this case being ropes, secured between the trolley and the end portions of the monorail. The linkages preferably are inserted through an eyelet secured to each end of the track section 52 and extend to ground level, allowing a user on ground level to pull on either linkage to move the trolley along the track. Whilst this is the preferred embodiment for simplicity, in 10 other applications each linkage may be connected to a hand-winch or drum, operable by a user, or may be connected to an electric winch, to facilitate movement of the trolley along the track. Figure 11A also shows two winch assemblies 35, comprising a winch mechanism 36, cable 37 and pulley wheels 38, attached to a support sub 15 assembly 9 at both ends of the monorail 5. The cable of each winch assembly extends between the winch mechanism, in this case being a hand winch and the monorail, via the pulley wheels secured in an elevated position to each associated support mast, supporting the cable and assisting the movement of the cable as it is retracted/deployed. In this embodiment, 20 it is preferable that each winch arrangement includes a winch mast 39, being an additional support shaft secured proximal to an end portion of the horizontal shaft of the mast, the winch mast having a pulley wheel secured along its length to provide additional height between the pulley wheel and final position of the monorail when elevated by the winches, providing the 25 mechanical advantage necessary to ensure the monorail may be lifted to this height. This arrangement is provided to assist a user in installing the monorail and associated components to the support sub-assemblies of the apparatus, which in some instances can be located a considerable distance from ground 30 level and prove difficult to access. When the cable of each winch assembly is fully deployed, the monorail is lowered towards ground level, allowing a user to connect any associated components, such as the trolley sub- 17 assembly, conveniently. Each winch mechanism is then manually wound from a convenient and safe position such as ground level, retracting the cables and raising the monorail towards the support masts. When raised and held in a desired position, a user may then access each mast and 5 secure the monorail using one or more brackets, fixing the monorail to each mast. This aspect of the invention is particularly helpful in many instances, as due to the nature of the apparatus, the fixing positions of the monorail 5 will be in an elevated, potentially inaccessible and dangerous position. In such 10 instances, it is undesirable, time consuming and potentially dangerous to lift and connect heavy articles, such as the trolley sub-assembly, to the monorail. Accordingly, the winch arrangement simplifies this aspect of the installation procedure, further enhancing the speed and simplicity of installing the present invention. 15 In Figure 11B, an alternative perspective view of the embodiment shown in the previous Figure is shown, having the beam structure hidden. Figure 11C provides a detailed view of some of the components of the winch assembly, including the cable 37, connecting the monorail 5 to the winch mechanism (not shown), the winch mast 39, vertically connected to a 20 horizontal shaft of the support mast 9 and two pulley wheels 38. In the Figure, the increase in vertical height of one pulley wheel provided by the winch mast is clearly shown, demonstrating the necessity to raise the position of the pulley wheel above the operational position of the monorail in order to lift the monorail to that position. 25 Figures 11D-11E illustrate an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, similar to that shown in Figures 11A-11B, in this case where the lifting apparatus is connected to a gabled roof structure. It can be seen in the Figures that when the present invention is used in this scenario, where the support mast 9 at each end of the monorail 5 are located a considerable 30 distance from the roof structure, a winch mast is not necessary, as each support mast associated with a winch assembly is located the necessary 18 distance above the operational position of the monorail and accordingly, provide the mechanical advantage necessary to hoist the monorail into place and secured to the central support mast 9. Figure 11F shows another detailed of the winch assembly 35, being the 5 hand-winch 36 and cable 37, the hand-winch being connected to a support shaft 1 by one or more pipe clamps 30. Figure 11G illustrates an alternative detailed view of the winch assembly 35 as described with reference to Figures 11D-11E, showing an alternative arrangement of two pulley wheels 38 rotatably connected to each end of a 10 support mast 9, supporting the cable 37 and assisting the movement of the cable as it is retracted and deployed by the winch mechanism. In this embodiment, it can be seen that the monorail 5 is not connected to the support mast by any brackets and alternatively, is sufficiently supported by the winch cable during use. 15 Figure 12A illustrates a further alternative preferred arrangement of the invention, wherein a number of support masts 9 are connected to a scaffold structure by a plurality of pipe clamps 30. Figure 12B illustrates the embodiment shown in the previous Figure erected adjacent the external walls of a building. Whilst the invention is shown 20 suspended adjacent to the walls of a building, the illustrated configuration of the invention may be placed in any location where lifting is required, potentially being a freestanding scaffold structure, or may be similarly attached to scaffolding erected on or around a building. In an alternative embodiment the monorail 5 may be directly fixed to a scaffold structure, 25 eliminating the need for a support mast. Figures 12C-12D show side views of an alternative preferred winch assembly arrangement 35 adapted to be used in relation to a scaffold structure as shown in the previous two Figures, where preferably the winch mechanism 36 is also secured to the scaffold structure in an elevated 19 position, allowing a user located on the scaffold to retract the winch cable 37 and elevate the monorail to its operational position. Figure 13 is shows a further alternative support brace sub-assembly embodiment including a support mast 9 as previously described and scaffold 5 support 11, the scaffold support comprising a vertical support shaft and two additional support braces, the shaft and the braces being connected by pipe brackets 30. The support braces and support mast also have pipe brackets 30 attached at an end to suspend a monorail 5 below. The support 11 may also have a pipe fitted at its base of a larger diameter, adapted to fit over a 10 protruding scaffold pipe and which the support mast 9 fits into from above. This allows for vertical adjustment of the support mast 9 as it slides inside the larger base pipe. Figure 14 shows the alternative support brace sub-assembly previously described in figure 13 attached to a scaffold structure erected adjacent to a 15 building. The support mast 9 is shown supported at its base by the service platform of the scaffold and the scaffold support 11 is shown connected at the rear of the scaffold to the scaffold bars. In this arrangement, the support braces, in combination with the support mast, provide the necessary rigidity to prevent the monorail 5 from rotating parallel to the 20 lifting plane during use of the lifting apparatus. The support mast may also comprise a base support component, fixed to an end of the vertical support shaft and having a surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, adapted to support the support mast 9 on a surface. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the support mast is 25 shown free-standing on the platform of the scaffold that other configurations, such as the mast being attached by brackets to the scaffold bars, are within the scope of the invention. In Figure 15A, the trolley sub-assembly 6 is illustrated, showing the trolley casing, containing the lifting mechanism 7 and a rail clamp attached to the 30 top surface thereof. Whilst the casing is shown as a rectangular box configuration, other shapes and sizes of casing are within the spirit of the invention. The rail clamp may also be attached to any surface of the trolley 20 and is not limited to being secured to the top surface. The rail clamp includes two opposable jaws 11 rotatably attached to the top surface of the trolley, each jaw having at least one surface having wheels 12 rotatably attached thereto. Each jaw also has at least on aperture 13 located through 5 the jaw, arranged such that when the jaws are rotated around the track, the apertures are aligned and a fixing may be inserted through each aperture, such as a bar or bolt, to lock the jaws in place. For simplicity, this type of locking mechanism is preferred however other locking mechanisms that control the rotational position of the jaws in relation to the trolley 10 casing are within the scope of the invention. Figure 15B is an alternative view of the trolley sub-assembly 6 shown in Figure 15A, where the jaws 11 have been rotated in relation to the trolley casing to be positioned around the track of the rail 5. The jaws are configured such that at a certain rotational position, the wheels 12 attached 15 to a surface of each jaw make contact with the track section 52 of the monorail 5, at a position above the horizon of the track cross-section, such that a portion of the external surface of each wheel is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the track 5a, allowing the wheel to roll along the surface of the track and supporting the weight of the trolley sub 20 assembly on the track. When in this position a fixing 14 is inserted through the previously discussed apertures, fixing the position of the jaws and ensuring that the trolley may travel along the track. Figure 16A is a detailed view of the rail clamp showing the jaws 11 secured in position by a fixing bar 14 and the wheels 12 in contact with the rail 5, 25 represented by a dotted line. Whilst it is preferable to have at least two wheels attached to each jaw, any number of wheels are within the scope of the invention and would be varied according to the requirements of the lifting apparatus. Figures 16B-16C show a left and front view of the embodiment of the rail 30 clamp shown in the previous Figure, also illustrating at least two eyelets 40 located on either side of at least one jaw 11 to which a retractable linkage is secured to facilitate movement of the trolley along the track.

21 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 5 changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on. Although the 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. 10 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention can be utilised in the construction industry.

Claims (36)

1. A lifting apparatus for an object, releasably affixable at an elevated position, the apparatus comprising: at least one support, each support releasably connected to one or more first brackets adapted to affix the support at the elevated position and a second bracket adapted to releasably connect the support to a rail member; a trolley, releasably connected to and traversable along the rail member, the trolley having a lifting mechanism configured to retract and deploy at least one retractable element and a retention means, located at a lower end thereof for retaining the object; and the rail member is rotatable around an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the rail member.

2. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each first bracket is rotatable in relation to the support around at least one axis.

3. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each first bracket is rotatable in relation to a support member around two axes.

4. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rail member includes an upper support section and a lower track section, wherein each second bracket is releasably attached to the support section and the trolley traverses along the track section.

5. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the support section is spaced apart from the track section by one or more webs, each web being of a width less than a cross-sectional width of the track section.

6. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the track section is substantially hollow. 23

7. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the support section and track section are substantially hollow and circular in cross section.

8. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the rail member is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of symmetry.

9. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rail member comprises a plurality of like sections.

10. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 9, where each like section is engageable with each other, each section having a male end comprising a tapered protrusion, which is adapted to engage with a respective female engagement portion of an adjacent section.

11. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each first bracket is adapted to be releasably attached to one or more of: a surface, two surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, or a tubular section.

12. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more first brackets comprise two rail clamps rotatably connected to each another and configured to releasably grip a tubular section.

13. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein one or more first brackets are adapted to releasably clamp two opposing substantially planar surfaces.

14. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein one or more supports comprise two shafts fixed substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein a first shaft is attached to each first bracket and a second shaft is attached to the second bracket. 24

15. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein an end of the first shaft is releasably attached to a base, the base having a surface arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

16. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the trolley includes a rail clamp configured to releasably attach the trolley to the rail member, the rail clamp including at least two rotatably operable jaws, each jaw having one or more wheels attached thereto, wherein when the jaws are rotated to a closed position, the wheels engage with a portion of the rail member.

17. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein the rail clamp also includes a locking mechanism, configured to lock each jaw in a fixed position.

18. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein each jaw has an aperture arranged through at least one surface such that when the jaws are rotated to a closed position, the apertures are aligned and a fastener is inserted through each aperture, securing each jaw in a fixed position.

19. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism is an electrically powered winch.

20. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the retractable element is selected from one or more of the following: a chain, a cable, a belt, a rope or a wire.

21. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein one or more supports are associated with a winch assembly, each winch assembly including a retractable linkage extending between a winching mechanism and the rail member via said support. 25

22. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein at least two supports are associated with a winch assembly.

23. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 21 or 22, wherein each support associated with a winch assembly has two or more pulley wheels rotatably connected thereto such that each pulley wheel rotates substantially on the same plane, each pulley wheel being adapted to support the retractable linkage.

24. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein each support associated with a winch assembly is connected to a winch mast vertically extending away from the support, the winch mast having a pulley wheel connected along its length adapted to support the retractable linkage.

25. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein each winching mechanism comprises one of: a manually operated winch or an electrically powered winch.

26. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the trolley is secured to two retractable linkages, each linkage extending between the trolley, an end portion of the rail member and a retracting means.

27. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein the retracting means comprises one of: a drum rotatably connected to an electric motor, a drum rotatable by a user, or a user manually pulling the linkage.

28. A lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each support is rotatably connected to one or more brace elements, each brace element connected between the support and a fixed position. 26

29. A construction kit comprising the lifting apparatus of claim 1 and a multiplicity of components selected from among the support, first brackets, second brackets, rail member and trolley.

30. A rail member for a lifting apparatus releasably affixable in an elevated position, having two sections being an upper support section and a lower track section, wherein one or more brackets releasably attach the support section in the elevated position and a trolley having lifting equipment associated therewith traverses along the track section.

31. A rail member in accordance with claim 30, wherein the support section is spaced apart from the track section by one or more webs, each web being of a width less than the cross-sectional width of the track section.

32. A rail member in accordance with claim 30, wherein the track section is substantially hollow.

33. A rail member in accordance with claim 30, wherein the support section and track section are substantially hollow and circular in cross section.

34. A rail member in accordance with claim 30, wherein the rail member is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of symmetry.

35. A rail member in accordance with claim 30, wherein the rail member comprises a plurality of like sections.

36. A rail member in accordance with claim 35, where each like section is engageable with each other, each section having a male end comprising a tapered protrusion, which is adapted to engage with a respective female engagement portion of an adjacent section.