GB2111457A

GB2111457A - Package handling device

Info

Publication number: GB2111457A
Application number: GB08137429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Frederick Sims; Clifford Sims
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-12-11
Filing date: 1981-12-11
Publication date: 1983-07-06
Also published as: GB2111457B

Abstract

A package handling device for handling a stack of bricks or like articles comprises a pair of gripping jaws (1,3) which are connected at one end by a pivot (2) and biased by spring means 16) towards an open position. Means such as a chain (8) is used for suspending the jaws by their pivoted end from the head (11) of an hydraulically operated shovel grab in a position such that the gripping jaws (1,3) are closable towards one another by clamping pressure applied thereto by cooperating parts (13,14) of the shovel grab head (11) acting on thrust blocks (4,5) through ram (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Package handling device This invention relates to a package handling device for handling a stack of bricks or like articles.

If frequently happens that stacks of bricks and other materials are delivered as packages to a building site and are deposited at inconvenient places directly upon the ground rather than upon pallets. In consequence transportation of the stacks to places of utilisation on the site cannot readily be accomplished with such lifting and carrying equipment as is locally available.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this nuisance.

Thus according to the invention a package handling device comprises a pair of gripping jaws which are pivotally connected at one end and spring biased towards an open position, and means for suspending the jaws by their pivoted end from the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab in a position such that the gripping jaws are closable towards one another by clamping pressure applied thereto by cooperating parts of the shovel grab head.

An embodiment of such a handling device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device showing its mode of attachment to the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab; whilst Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 3 is an end view of the device.

Referring now to the drawings, the handling device mainly consists of a rectangular framework made of steel which comprises a pair of gripping jaws 1. These jaws 1 are of cranked configuration and pivotally connected to one another at the top by an horizontal pin 2. The lower extremities of the jaws 1 carry mutually facing lateral friction members 3 which are engageable with opposite sides of a brick stack. Also each gripping jaw carries a lateral thrust block 4, 5 respectively in the region of its uppermost cranked part. The gripping jaws are maintained in a normally opened or spaced apart attitude by means of a compression spring 6 which acts between triangular section bars 7 disposed laterally across the upper parts of the gripping jaws.

Fixed centrally to the top bar of the framework, through which the pin 2 extends, is an eye 8 to which is attached a short length of chain 9. The upper link of this chain is attachable to an eye 10 which is carried upon the top of the workhead 11 of a shovel grab. This workhead 11 is mounted on the end of a gib (not shown) of a tracked or wheeled vehicle and it comprises a hollow base or bucket 12 with a toothed member 13 and a pivotally attached shovel member 14. This shovel member can be moved angularly about the axis of its pivot 1 5 by means of an hydraulically operated ram 1 6. By operation of the ram 1 6 a very considerable clamping force can be applied by the co-operation of the toothed member 13 and the lower edge of the shovel member 14.

As can readily be seen from Fig. 1 this clamping force is applied to the thrust blocks 4 and 5 with the result that the jaws 1 close together to bring the friction members 3 into clamping contact with opposite sides of a stack of bricks, or similar articles. By raising the jib of the bucket grab vehicle the stack can then be moved entire to a desired new location. Then after lowering the jib so that the stack is supported on the ground the hydraulic ram 1 6 is operated so as to release the members 13 and 14 from the thrust blocks 4 and 5, whereupon the compression spring 6 re-asserts itself to force apart the jaws 1 and cause release of the brick stack.

Claims (Filed 6n 16/11/82) 1. A package handling device for handling a stack of bricks or like articles comprising a pair of gripping jaws which are pivotally connected at one end and spring biased towards an open position, and means for suspending the jaws by their pivoted end from the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab in a position such that the gripping jaws are closable towards one another by clamping pressure applied thereto by cooperating parts of the shovel grab head.

2. A package handling device as claimed in Claim 1 in which each gripping jaw is of cranked formation and has in the region of its uppermost cranked part a lateral thrust block intended to be engaged by a respective one of the co-operating parts of the shovel grab head.

3. A package handling device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in combination with an hydraulically operated shovel grab.

4. A package handling device constructed and adapted to be attached to the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Package handling device This invention relates to a package handling device for handling a stack of bricks or like articles. If frequently happens that stacks of bricks and other materials are delivered as packages to a building site and are deposited at inconvenient places directly upon the ground rather than upon pallets. In consequence transportation of the stacks to places of utilisation on the site cannot readily be accomplished with such lifting and carrying equipment as is locally available. The object of the present invention is to remedy this nuisance. Thus according to the invention a package handling device comprises a pair of gripping jaws which are pivotally connected at one end and spring biased towards an open position, and means for suspending the jaws by their pivoted end from the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab in a position such that the gripping jaws are closable towards one another by clamping pressure applied thereto by cooperating parts of the shovel grab head. An embodiment of such a handling device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device showing its mode of attachment to the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab; whilst Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 3 is an end view of the device. Referring now to the drawings, the handling device mainly consists of a rectangular framework made of steel which comprises a pair of gripping jaws 1. These jaws 1 are of cranked configuration and pivotally connected to one another at the top by an horizontal pin 2. The lower extremities of the jaws 1 carry mutually facing lateral friction members 3 which are engageable with opposite sides of a brick stack. Also each gripping jaw carries a lateral thrust block 4, 5 respectively in the region of its uppermost cranked part. The gripping jaws are maintained in a normally opened or spaced apart attitude by means of a compression spring 6 which acts between triangular section bars 7 disposed laterally across the upper parts of the gripping jaws. Fixed centrally to the top bar of the framework, through which the pin 2 extends, is an eye 8 to which is attached a short length of chain 9. The upper link of this chain is attachable to an eye 10 which is carried upon the top of the workhead 11 of a shovel grab. This workhead 11 is mounted on the end of a gib (not shown) of a tracked or wheeled vehicle and it comprises a hollow base or bucket 12 with a toothed member 13 and a pivotally attached shovel member 14. This shovel member can be moved angularly about the axis of its pivot 1 5 by means of an hydraulically operated ram 1 6. By operation of the ram 1 6 a very considerable clamping force can be applied by the co-operation of the toothed member 13 and the lower edge of the shovel member 14. As can readily be seen from Fig. 1 this clamping force is applied to the thrust blocks 4 and 5 with the result that the jaws 1 close together to bring the friction members 3 into clamping contact with opposite sides of a stack of bricks, or similar articles. By raising the jib of the bucket grab vehicle the stack can then be moved entire to a desired new location. Then after lowering the jib so that the stack is supported on the ground the hydraulic ram 1 6 is operated so as to release the members 13 and 14 from the thrust blocks 4 and 5, whereupon the compression spring 6 re-asserts itself to force apart the jaws 1 and cause release of the brick stack. Claims (Filed 6n 16/11/82)

1. A package handling device for handling a stack of bricks or like articles comprising a pair of gripping jaws which are pivotally connected at one end and spring biased towards an open position, and means for suspending the jaws by their pivoted end from the head of an hydraulically operated shovel grab in a position such that the gripping jaws are closable towards one another by clamping pressure applied thereto by cooperating parts of the shovel grab head.