AU2014100910A4 - A handling apparatus for temporary fencing blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A pair of lifting tongs for a temporary fencing base block, said tongs comprising: first and second members pivotally interconnected; each of the first and second members including respective first and second operator handles at one end and opposed first and second hooks at respective second ends thereof; each of the opposed hooks having inwardly disposed respective first and second lifting formations for reception by handling formations of the fencing base block; wherein lifting of the first and second operator handles causes said lifting formations to approach each other to thereby engage the handling formations in use.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 Innovation Patent COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A HANDLING APPARATUS FOR TEMPORARY FENCING BLOCKS The following statement is a description of the invention: 1 A HANDLING APPARATUS FOR TEMPORARY FENCING BLOCKS TECHNICAL FIELD [01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for the safe handling of temporary fencing base blocks or as they are sometimes equivalently called "anchors" or "pads". BACKGROUND [02] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. [03] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a stack 1 of temporary fencing base blocks 3. As can be seen in Figure 2, in order to erect a temporary fence 5 a series of the base blocks 3 are disposed along the perimeter of the fence 5. The blocks 3 support temporary fencing posts 7 of the fence. [04] It will be realized that during the installation of a lengthy fence it is necessary to position a large number of the base blocks 3. In order to improve the handling of the base blocks handling cutouts 9 (visible in Figure 1) are typically formed into each end. However, each base block weighs a little under 40kg which is too much weight for a single worker to handle repetitively or with safety. Furthermore, it is difficult for two workers to carry a base block with one worker at each end and there is a risk of the block being dropped, which can readily result in an injury. [05] One approach to addressing the above mentioned problem would be to manufacture the base blocks in at least two pieces which would each weigh less so that they could be safely handled individually. The base block could then be assembled at site. However, such an approach would involve a 2 careful assembly of the pieces at the site which is time-consuming. A further approach to addressing the problem might be to provide a specially adapted trolley for carting each block to site. However, the problem of placing the heavy block upon the trolley remains. Furthermore, it may be that the blocks have to be transported over rough ground which a trolley is not readily suited to ride over. [06] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for the safe, manual transportation of fencing base blocks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [07] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pair of lifting tongs for a temporary fencing base block, said tongs comprising: first and second members pivotally interconnected; each of the first and second members including respective first and second operator handles at one end and opposed first and second hooks at respective second ends thereof; each of the opposed hooks having inwardly disposed respective first and second lifting formations for reception by handling formations of the fencing base block; wherein lifting of the first and second operator handles causes said lifting formations to approach each other to thereby engage the handling formations in use. [08] Preferably said tongs include a catch for retaining the tongs in an extended configuration for transportation. [09] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the catch comprises a hand operated latch that is mounted proximal the first handle and which is arranged to engage a locking formation mounted proximal the second hook.

3 [10] For example the locking formation may comprise a strike plate and the hand operated latch may include a latch member that is received in a bore of the strike plate upon the tongs assuming the extended configuration. [11] Preferably the latch member is spring biased to a locked position by a biasing spring. Preferably a latch release handle is coupled to the latch member for an operator to overcome the biasing spring as desired to thereby withdraw the latch member from the bore of the strike plate. [12] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the lifting formations are box shaped to complement rectangular cutouts of said base block which comprise the handling formations thereof. [13] In a preferred embodiment of the invention each of the first and second members extend from respective first and second operator handles to the first and second hooks wherein shanks of the hooks form angles of between 17 and 23 degrees therewith. [14] Preferably the first and second members are respectively each about nine times the length of the first and second shanks. [15] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first and second members bifurcate to support the first and second operator handles. [16] Preferably the strike plate is mounted at or about the junction of the shank and the first elongate portion of the first member. [17] Preferably a stop is mounted at or about the junction of the second shank and the first elongate portion of the second member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [18] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient 4 information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [19] Figure 1 shows a stack of temporary fencing base blocks. [20] Figure 2 shows a temporary fence. [21] Figure 3 shows a plan side view of a pair of base block lifting tongs according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a configuration for lifting a base block. [22] Figure 4 is a further view of the pair of tongs of Figure 3. [23] Figure 5 is a plan side view of the base block lifting tongs in a locked, extended configuration, for transportation. [24] Figure 6 is a top plan view of the base block lifting tongs of Figure 5. [25] Figure 7 is a detailed view of a handle of the base block lifting tongs of Figure 6. [26] Figure 8 shows the lifting tongs in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [27] Referring now to Figure 3, there is depicted in side view a pair of tongs 11 according to a first embodiment of the invention and shown in a lifting configuration wherein the tongs engage a temporary fencing base block 3 that is shown in dashed outline. [28] The pair of tongs 11 comprises first and second members 13a, 13b, which are pivotally interconnected by pin 15. [29] Each of the first and second members 13a, 13b supports respective first and second operator handles 17a, 17b and is integrally formed with opposed first and second hooks 19a, 19b at respective second ends of the first and second members.

5 [30] Each of the opposed hooks 19a, 19b have inwardly disposed respective first and second lifting formations 21a, 21b for reception by handling formations 9a, 9b of the fencing base block 3. [31] The lifting formations 21a, 21b are box shaped to complement the handling formations 9a, 9b, which comprise rectangular cutouts formed into the ends of the base block. [32] In use, lifting of the first and second operator handles 17a, 17b causes the first and second members 13a, 13b to pivot about pin 15 thereby causing the lifting formations 21a, 21b to approach each other to thereby engage the handling formations 9a, 9b in use. [33] In the presently described preferred embodiment of the invention the tongs also include a catch 25 for locking the tongs in an extended configuration, shown in Figures 5 and 6, which is preferred for storage and transportation. [34] The catch comprises a hand operated latching member 27 that is mounted proximal the second handle 17b and which is arranged to engage a locking formation in the form of plate 29 mounted proximal the second hook 19a. [35] In the presently described preferred embodiment the locking formation comprises a plate 29 which is formed with a bore 30 that receives the latching member 27 upon the tongs assuming the extended configuration. [36] The plate 29 is mounted close to the junction of the shank 35a and the first member 13a. [37] Preferably a stop 41 is mounted at or about the junction of the second shank 35b and the second member 13b. The stop abuts second member in the extended configuration to bring the latch member 27 in line with the bore 30 of plate 29 for ease of locking.

6 [38] The latch member 27 is spring biased to a locked position by a biasing spring 31. Preferably a latch release handle 33 is coupled to the latch member 27 for an operator to overcome the biasing spring 31 as desired to thereby withdraw the latch member 27 from the bore 30 of the strike plate 29. [39] In a preferred embodiment of the invention shanks 35a, 35b of the first and second hooks 19a, 19b form angles 37a, 37b which are each of about 110 degrees with respective first and second members 13a, 13b. Although the angle between the shanks of the hooks and the first and second members of the tongs is about 110 degrees in the presently described preferred embodiment of the invention it will be realised that the other embodiments of the invention will encompass a range of angles, e.g. between 105 to 115 degrees. [40] The first and second members 13a, 13b are each of a length "d", indicated in Figure 5, which is about ten and a half times the length "L" of the first and second shanks 35a, 35b. It will be realised that the specific dimensions of the members and the shanks, and the ratio of their lengths to each other, may be varied provided that the tongs remain suitable for their purpose of lifting base blocks. [41] The first and second members 13a, 13b bifurcate into portions 37a, 39a and 37b, 39b which respectively support the first and second operator handles, 17a, 17b therebetween. [42] Figure 8 shows the pair of tongs 11 in use with two operators 37, 39 each holding a respective handle of the tongs 11. The operators have each lifted their handle of the tongs so that the first and second members of the tongs pivot about the pin 15 thereby urging the hooks of the tongs and in particular the lifting boxes on the end of each hook, into hard engagement with the base block 3. Consequently, the base block 3 is held securely between the hooks of the tongs.

7 [43] Indeed, the heavier the base block the more force it exerts against the hooks as the tongs are lifted and so the harder the members pivot towards each other and so the more securely the hooks engage the base block. [44] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. [45] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. A pair of lifting tongs for a temporary fencing base block, said tongs comprising: first and second members pivotally interconnected; each of the first and second members including respective first and second operator handles at one end and opposed first and second hooks at respective second ends thereof; each of the opposed hooks having inwardly disposed respective first and second lifting formations for reception by handling formations of the fencing base block; wherein lifting of the first and second operator handles causes said lifting formations to approach each other to thereby engage the handling formations in use.

2. A pair of lifting tongs according to claim 1, including a catch for retaining the tongs in an extended configuration for transportation.

3. A pair of lifting tongs according to claim 2, wherein the catch comprises a hand operated latch that is mounted proximal the first handle and which is arranged to engage a locking formation mounted proximal the second hook.

4. A pair of lifting tongs according to claim 3, wherein the locking formation comprises a strike plate and the hand operated latch includes a latch member that is captured by the strike plate upon the tongs assuming the extended configuration.

5. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the latch member is spring biased to a locked position by a biasing spring.

6. A pair of lifting tongs according to claim 5, wherein the latch release handle is coupled to the latch member for an operator to overcome the biasing spring as desired to thereby withdraw the latch member from the bore of the strike plate. 9

7. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting formations are box shaped to complement rectangular cutouts of said base block which comprise the handling formations thereof.

8. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second members extend from respective first and second operator handles to the first and second hooks wherein shanks of the hooks form angles of between 17 and 23 degrees with the first and second members respectively.

9. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first and second members are respectively each between nine and eleven times longer than shanks of the first and second hooks respectively.

10. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second members bifurcate to support the first and second operator handles.

11. A pair of lifting tongs according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the strike plate is mounted at or about the junction of the shank and the first elongate portion of the first member.

12. A pair of lifting tongs according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the stop is mounted at or about the junction of the second shank and the first elongate portion of the second member. * * *