GB2154643A

GB2154643A - Plant for transporting and installing of building elements

Info

Publication number: GB2154643A
Application number: GB08424563A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Glockenstein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-28
Filing date: 1984-09-28
Publication date: 1985-09-11
Also published as: NL8402901A; DE3434367A1; TR22268A; DK462284D0; GB8424563D0; DK462284A

Abstract

A plant for transporting and installing of wall or ceiling building elements comprising a transport vehicle 1 for conveying the building elements to the building site, a pallet 2 for the transport by crane of the building elements to the required floor of the building, a roller conveyor 6 for transporting the pallets into the intended floor of the building and a trolley 7 for receiving the elements from the conveyor. A tipping device 9 for movement of the individual elements to the upright position and a transporter 10 which locates each element in its installed position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFiCATION A plant for transporting and installing of building elements The invention relates to a plant for transporting and installing of building elements, in particular wall or ceiling elements, preferably for the interior walling of building, with at least one transport vehicle for conveying the building elements to the building site and with at least one pallet for the common transport of two or more building elements.

It is the object of the invention to provide a plant which largely rationalizes the transport and installation of building elements, in particular for the interior walling of buildings, and makes it possible to convey the building elements directly to the intended site of erection and to simplify their erection or installation.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a plant of the type initially mentioned by providing the plant with at least one conveying device for transporting the pallets loaded with building elements from the transport vehicle to the intended floor of the building, at least one pallet or building element transport vehicle for receiving the pallets and/or building elements discharged from the conveying device and for their further transport to a tipping device for the processing or mounting of the building elements, which tipping device is formed, in particular, as a three-sided tipper, and at least one transport means with a receiving means pivotally supported on its frame for installing the building elements.

It is of advantage that the conveying device for transporting the pallets loaded with building elements from the transport vehicle to the intended floor of the building comprise at least one lifting means and/or a linear conveyor, in particular a roller conveyor, conveyor belt or the like. In the case of one-floor buildings constructed approximately at soil level, the lifting device can be omitted. The preferably hydraulic lifting device can be built onto the transport means.

For transporting the pallets, in particular for lifting them by means of the lifting device, it is useful to provide the lifting device with a, preferably essentially H-shaped, supporting frame for the pallets with the individual building elements, which frame has a cross beam on which a hook connected to a carrying rope is engageable.

In order to stabilize the pallets in their position during lifting, it is favourable to provide the supporting frame with a, preferably essentially L-shaped, stabilizer articulated by its one leg to the supporting frame and provided on its other end with a guide means for the carrying rope.

In order to assure a smooth transfer of the pallets from the lifting device to the linear conveyor, it is advantageous to provide the linear conveyor with a support freely projecting on the inlet side.

The support can protrude from the building.

In order to meet possible local requirements, it is of advantage to support the linear conveyor on the floor or on the ceiling of the story of the building by means of a stay preferably adjustable in height.

To facilitate transport, it is useful to arrange the linear conveyor formed as a roller conveyor and provided with coasting rollers inclined or inclinable in relation to the floor of the story of the building, so that the discharge side end of the linear conveyor is positioned at a smaller distance from the floor than the inlet side end of the linear conveyor.

For transferring the pallets from the linear conveyor to the pallet transport vehicle, it is of advantage to provide the pallet transport vehicle with a height-adjustable receiving platform which is preferably adjustable in height in relation to the frame of the pallet transport vehicle by means of a threaded spindle actuated by a crank handle.

In order to facilitate passing over small obstacles, it is useful to provide the pallet transport vehicle with at least one pivotally supported supporting wheel, with the swivelling axis arranged essentially horizontally.

It is of advantage to arrange the supporting wheel, which is. freely rotatable around an essentially vertical axis, in the central longitudinal plane of the pallet transport vehicle.

For transporting heavy plates or the like, it is useful to provide the plate transport vehicle with a tippable receiving platform.

For working and/or mounting the building elements, they must be brought in their respective positions.

The tipping device according to the invention permits the most favorable positioning of the building elements for processing or mounting in a simple manner.

This is achieved in a further development of the invention in that in a tipping device for the building elements comprising a frame provided with wheels and drivable on the ground and a receiving means, in particular a receiving table, which is pivotally positioned, the receiving means is formed as a three-sided tipper and optionally pivotable on the frame around two essentially horizontal swivelling axes extending normally in relation to one another and lockable in at least three pivoting positions in relation to the frame.

In order to bring the three-sided tipping device in the desired position in a simple manner, it is practical to form the swivelling axes of hinge pins axially slidably positioned on the frame and connected by a handle; the hinge pins are optionally engageable in bearings provided on the underside of the receiving means.

In order to facilitate tipping to an essentially vertical position, it is useful to articulate at least one extension arm on one of the swivelling axes. On the other end of the extension arm, the receiving means is articulated and a tension spring or the like connected to the frame is articulated to the extension arm at a distance from both of its ends.

In order to secure the position of the building element on the receiving means, it is of advantage to provide the receiving means on at least one side with a stop for the building element.

To improve manipulation, it is advantageous to provide the receiving means with at least one preferably pivotally positioned handle.

In order to be able to support the receiving means on the frame in its essentially vertical positions, the frame can be provided with at least one stop for the receiving means.

The transport device provided in the plant according to the invention is to be used at the same time for installing and/or positioning of the building elements.

This is achieved in a further development of the invention by providing in a transport device for building elements comprising a frame provided with rollers and drivable on the ground, a receiving means for the transported goods which is positioned and adjustable in its height in relation to the frame by means of at least one lifting device, in particular a pressure-actuated working cylinder.

By appropriate pivoting of the receiving means, the building element can be brought into the desired position at the time of unloading. If the building element is to be introduced into a rail provided on the ceiling of the room, this can also be achieved by appropriate pivoting of the receiving means.

It is of advantage to provide a crank or the like for pivoting the receiving means. This crank should be connected to an essentially horizontally arranged threaded spindle which is rotatably supported in the frame, on the one hand, and engaged in a screw nut connected to the receiving means, on the other hand.

In order to create favorable force conditions for the pivoting motion, it is practical to arrange the threaded spindle essentially in the central longitudinal plane of the device, spacially below the lifting device.

In a receiving means provided with a forkshaped receiving platform, it is practical to arrange the threaded spindle for pivoting the receiving means essentially parallelly in relation to the prongs of the fork-shaped receiving platform For pivoting or inclining the receiving means around a second, transversely extending plane, it is favorable to provide a second crank or the like for pivoting or inclining of the receiving means around a second axis.

The second crank or the like is connected to a further, essentially horizontally extending threaded spindle which extends essentially transversely in relation to the first threaded spindle and is rotatably supported in the frame, on the one hand, and engageable with a further screw nut connected to the receiving means, on the other hand.

The receiving means can be provided with at least one stop for abutment of the transported goods.

For retaining the transported goods, it is advantageous to provide the receiving means with at least two laterally arranged opposing, in particular telescopically formed jaws, preferably four jaws arranged in pairs.

The invention is described in detail under reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the object of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a total representation of a plant according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a view of the suspension means for the pallets; Figure 3 shows a top view of Fig. 2; Figure 4 shows an elevational view of Fig.

3; Figure 5 shows a detail V of Fig. 3 at enlarged scale; Figure 6 shows a view of the roller conveyor; Figure 7 shows a plan view of Fig. 6; Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6; Figure 9 is a view of a pallet transport vehicle; Figure 10 is a sectional view along line X-X in Fig. 9; Figure 11 is an elevational view of Fig. 9; Figure 12 shows a view of the plate transport vehicle; Figure 13 is an elevational view of Fig. 12; Figure 14 is a view of the tipping device; Figure 15 is a view of the device according to Fig. 14 in the direction of the arrow XV in Fig. 14 at enlarged scale; Figure 16 is a plan view of the receiving table of the device; Figure 1 7 is a view of a first embodiment of a transport vehicle; Figure 18 is a view of Fig. 1 7 in the direction of arrow XVIII in Fig. 17; ; Figure 19 is a plan view of Fig. 17, partially in sectional view along line XIX-XIX in Fig. 17; Figure 20 is a view of another embodiment of the transport vehicle and Figure 21 is a view of Fig. 20 in the direction of arrow XXI in Fig. 20.

The plant according to Fig. 1 comprises a transport vehicle 1 for supplying pallets 2 on each of which several building elements 4 connected to one another by means of tightening straps 3 are disposed, a hydraulic lifting device 5 provided on the transport vehicle 1 for lifting pallets 2 to the level of the intended floor of the building, a roller conveyor 6 for transporting the pallets 2 to the pallet transport vehicle 7 or plate transport vehicle 8, a tipping device 9 for processing or mounting the building elements and a transport means 10 for transporting and installing the building elements 4. The lifting device 5 and the roller conveyor 6 form a conveyor means for the transport of the pallets 2 loaded with building elements 4 from the transport vehicle 1 to the intended floor of the building.

The lifting device 5 comprises a supporting frame 11 lifted by means of a carrying rope on whose end a hook 1 3 is attached.

As shown in detail in Fig. 2 to 5, the supporting frame 11 is formed essentially Hshaped and comprises two longitudinal beams 14 and a cross beam 1 5 provided with an eye 1 6 for the hook 1 3. The longitudinal beams 14 are provided with supporting straps 1 7 for retaining the pallet 2: In the instant case, six building elements 4 in the form of interior wall elements are loaded onto the pallet 2 and connected to one another by means of the tightening straps 3.

The essentially H-shaped supporting frame 11 composed of welded formed pipes is provided with an L-shaped stabilizer 1 8 essentially reducing the dangerous oscillating and swinging of the load and prevents possible tilting.

The supporting frame 11 is further provided with two right-angled sheet metal elements 1 9 of which one each is hooked into each narrow side of the pallet 2 and which are connected to the H-shaped supporting frame via chains, straps or ropes 20.

Since the shape of the pallets is a special form which permits the manual hooking in of the right-angled sheet metal elements at large toleranes, the packages can be lifted without difficulty from the loading surface of the transport vehicle to the roller conveyor 6 installed on the respective floor.

The roller conveyor 6 shown in detail in Fig. 6 to 8 conveys the pallet 2 from the outside to the inside of the building. It comprises four parts 21, 22, 23, 24 one of which is a carrier projecting out up to 3 meters. The roller conveyor 6 is provided with ball-bearingsupported rollers 25 and has a variable gradient toward the interior of the building whose degree of inclination depends on the parapet or the entrance obstacle to be surmounted.

The roller convyor 6 is supported on the floor by means of adjustable supports 26, 27, 28, 29; support 26 can also be supported on the ceiling of the story.

This arrangement of the roller conveyor 6 permits the bridging of roof projections, scaffolds, loggias, the cases of doors and windows and the like.

The package, i.e. the pallet 2 with the wall elements 4, can be lifted from the outside not only by means of the lifting device 5, but also by means of any other crane, in particular a building site cable crane (such as a cable crane trolley) without any further technical auxiliaries.

The package is placed by the lifting device 5 or crane onto the roller conveyor 6, the right-angled sheet metal supports 1 7 are released in order to release the package from the suspension and the package is then rolled over the gradient of the roller conveyor 6 into the interior of the building under the influence of gravity where it can be manually stopped by one or two men so as to dampen its impact at the end of the roller conveyor 6.

As soon as the pallet 2 rests against the stop, the last quarter of the roller conveyor 6 is turned like a revolving stage on a built-in live ring around the vertical axis by an angle of about 90' in order to crank it, up to the two pallet transport vehicles 7, thus to take them over at the next transport run.

The pallet transport vehicle 7 shown in detail in Fig. 9 to 10 serves for taking over the packages, i.e. the pallet 2, with the wall elements 4 from the roller conveyor 6 and for transporting to the interim storage place in the mounting room.

It is practical to provide two such vehicles so as to be able to lift the pallet 2 off the roller conveyor in front and in back.

The pallet transport vehicle 7 shown in detail in Fig. 9 and 10 comprises a frame 30 with formed profiles which frame is drivable on the ground by means of wheels 31. A supporting wheel 32 freely rotatable around an essentially vertical axis is disposed on the frame 30 at a distance from the wheels 31.

The supporting wheel 31 is arranged in the central longitudinal axis of the frame 30 and pivotable around an essentially horizontal axis 33 so that the supporting wheel 32 can be moved to an inoperative position. A handgrip 34 is provided for pivoting the supporting wheel 32. For lifting the pallet 2, a receiving platform 35 adjustable in height by means of a threaded spindle 37 actuable by means of crank handle 36 is provided on the frame 30.

The lifting of the load is effected via the threaded spindle 37 driven by means of the crank handle 36. In order to prevent slipping of the pallet 2 off the fork, the vehicles are connected to one another for safety reasons by means of a linkage of bars via a plug-in profile. The mechanic then tucks the supporting wheel 32 of each vehicie, which is only needed for empty shunting, up by an angle of 180 so as to facilitate passing over small obstacles such as doorsills or the like. The whole package can now be manually placed on any given interim storage space by lowering the load, releasing the linkage of bars and tucking the supporting wheels 32 down again. After placing the load, the operation cyclically starts over again with the next pallet.

The plate transport vehicle 8 shown in Fig.

1 2 and 13 is intended for conveying heavier wall elements than the normal ones. It permits the lifting up of larger wall elements loaded edgewise without hydraulic lifting means and their conveying translatorily on rollers.

The plate transport vehicle 8 shown in Fig.

7 and 8 comprises a frame 40 drivable on the ground by means of rollers or wheels 41 on which a receiving platform 42 is adjustably positioned. The receiving platform 42 is formed partially basket-shaped and has a back wall 43 against which the wall elements 4 can be abutted. On both sides of the receiving platform 42, tipping devices 44 permitting a tipping of the receiving platform 42 are provided.

The principle of the trouble-free tipping is based on the position of the center of gravity strongly shifted backward. The upper portion of the vehicle 8, that is the receiving basket with the rear damper, would be in stable equilibrium only in the lowest tipped position if unsecured.

The wall elements 4 standing upright are underdriven by the receiving platform 42 of the vehicle 8 so that they abut the rear wall of the receiving basket. The securing pin 45, which prevents the telescoping of the outer frame parts and thus the independent tipping of the upper portion of the vehicle, is withdrawn against spring pressure and locked by a quarter turn.The catch of the damper 47, which is intended to prevent faling back into the upright position, must now be activated.

The upper portion of the vehicle 8 is tipped from its upright position by about 15 backward without exerting much force by means of the lever extensions 46 loosely inserted into the tipping devices 44. The center of rotation of the rigid frame 40 with the welded-on basket is the axis of the front rollers 41. The mobile inner profile moves upward, its center of rotation, connected via an angle, is disposed in the axis of the rear rollers. The previously locked damper 47 now prevents the rising up of the vehicle which would otherwise be caused by the weight of the walls; a continuous, delayed lowering of the load conveyed would be possible by a slow opening of the catch.

A hydraulic lifting apparatus can be provided to cope with particularly heavy loads.

The small rear roller 43 can be provided with a locking brake when using the vehicle on sloping ground.

The transport at the site highly accelerated this way permits an interim storage in the assembling room. The individual wall elements 4 are stored after unloading from the plate transport vehicle until they are taken for processing by the tipping device, or, if no further processing is required, they are conveyed to the mounting site either by the transport sled or immediately by the transport means 10.

The tipping device 9 according to Fig. 14 to 16 comprises a frame 102 drivable on the ground by means of wheels 101, on which frame 102 a receiving table 103 for a wall element 104 to be mounted or processed is pviotally disposed.

The receiving table 103 is formed as a three-sided tipper and optionally pivotable around one of two essentially horizontal swivelling axes extending vertically in relation to one another. The swivelling axis 105 is formed of a hinge pin 108 disposed axially slidable on the frame 102 and connected by means of a handle 107. The hinge pin 105 is insertable into a bearing 109 provided on the underside of the receiving table 1 03. The swivelling axis 106 extending vertically in relation to the swivelling axis 105 is formed of a hinge pin 110 on which two extension arms arranged spacially in relation to one another are pivotally positioned. The extension arms 111 are positioned on their other ends with hinge pins 11 2 in bearings 11 3 attached to the underside of the receiving table 1 03.

On one of the extension arms 111, a tension spring 114 whose other end is supported on the frame 102 is articulated at a distance from the swivelling axis 106 or the hinge pin 112, but closer to the swivelling axis 106.

The spring force of the tension spring 114 facilitates the tipping of the receiving table 103 in the essentially vertical position.

When pivoting the receiving table 103 around the swivelling axis 105, the receiving table 103 is pivoted by the angle a and with its stops 11 5 abuts on frame parts 11 6 of the frame 102 serving as stops. (Fig. 15).

When pivoting the receiving table 103 around the swivelling axis 106, the receiving table 103 in its essentially vertical position abuts stops 11 7 provided on the frame 102 (Fig. 14).

The receiving table 103 is provided on one side with a stop 11 8 for the wall element 104. The receiving table 103 is further provided on two opposing sides with two each handles 11 9 which are pivotable around axes 1 20 provided on the underside of the receiving table 103.

The tipping device can fulfill a triple function: First function: Processing of wall or ceiling elements primarily in horizontal position at appropriate level or in inclined position.

Second function: Transport of up to three such elements.

Third function: Spring force support in "uprighting walls" by tipping into vertical position; this is particularly suitable for unusually heavy elements (such as concrete-bound plates or plates on wooden frames).

The wall element 104 is taken from a pallet for processing and placed onto the receiving table of the tipping device in an inclined position. The tipping device can then easily be tipped into the horizontal position where the wall element 104 can be treated just as well as on a fixed workbench.

This is followed by the transport to the site of mounting. The receiving table supported by spring force is tipped up vertically and the tipping device is rolled away, the element can easily be supported by hand until it is taken over for final mounting by the vehicle 10 or a transport sled.

The transport device according to Fig. 1 7 to 1 9 comprises a frame 202 provided with rollers 201 and drivable on the ground in which frame a receiving means 203 for wall or ceiling elements 204 is disposed adjustably in height by means of a lifting device 205.

The receiving means 203 comprises a forkshaped receiving platform 206 with two closely abutting fork prongs and adjustable stops 207 against which the wall or ceiling element 204 abuts. The lifting device 205 is a pressure-actuable working cylinder, for instance a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder operable by means of a lever extension 205'.

The receiving means 203 is pivotable in two planes in relation to the frame 202. For pivoting the receiving means 203 around a geometric axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fork-shaped receiving platform 206, a crank 208 connected to an essentially horizontally extending threaded spindle 209 is provided. The threaded spindle 209 is rotatably disposed in the frame 202, on the one hand, and engages in a screw nut 210 connected to the receiving means 203 via the lifting device 205, on the other hand.

For pivoting the receiving means 203 around a geometrical axis extending essentially parallelly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the fork-shaped receiving platform 206, a crank 211 connected to an essentially horizontally extending threaded spindle 212 is provided. The threaded spindle 212 extends transversely in relation to the threaded spindle 209. The threaded spindle 212 is rotatably supported in the frame 202, on the one hand, and engages in a screw nut 21 3 connected to the receiving means 203, on the other hand.

The device according to Fig. 1 7 to 1 9 operates as follows: The two closely abutting stapling forks of the receiving platform 206 underdrive the wall element 204 standing upright left and right of the locking screws so that only the sheet metal profile touches. By means of the lifting means 205 which is mounted on the frame 202 and operated by means of the lever extensions 205', the wall element 204 now resting on the locking screws can easily be lifted up. Provided with four guide rolls 201, the vehicle with its load can be brought into position below the clamp previously mounted on the ceiling. It is now possible to correct the inclination of the wall element 204 by means of the horizontally attached threaded spindle 209 which is operated by means of the crank 208.Control in this case is permitted by a circular level arranged in the field of vision. The wall element 204 to be mounted is now lifted by means of the lifting device 205 until it firmly joins the ceiling by its top edge. The lower locking screws of the wall element 204 can now be turned out so far that the entire wall section between floor and ceiling is tensioned.

The subsequent opening of the hydraulic lock effects a lowering of the stapling forks and the transport device can now be pulled out from under the completely mounted wall element.

The transport device shown in Fig. 20 and 21 comprises a frame 222 formed as a transport sled and provided with two rollers 221 and drivable on the ground. A receiving means 223 for wall or ceiling elements 224 adjustable in height by means of a lifting device 225 is disposed on frame 222. The receiving means 223 comprises a fork-shaped receiving platform 226 and adjustable stops 227 against which the wall or ceiling element 224 abuts. The lifting device 225 is a pressure-actuated working cylinder, for instance a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder operable by means of a lever extension 225'.

The receiving means 223 is pivotable in a plane in relation to the frame 222. A crank 228 connected to an essentially horizontally extending threaded spindle 229 is provided for pivoting the receiving means 223. The threaded spindle 229 is rotatably supported in the frame 222, on the one hand, and engaged in a screw nut 230 which is connected to the receiving means 223, on the other hand. A pressure spring 231 supported on the lifting means 225 on its one end and on a stop connected to the receiving means 223 on its other end is provided to facilitate the pivoting motion of the receiving means 223 into an essentially vertical position. The pivoting angle of the receiving means bears the reference symbol a.

The receiving means 223 is provided with lateral, telescopically extendable upper and lower jaws 232 and pivotable handgrips 233.

The frame 222 is formed as a transport sled and is provided with two further, smaller rolls 234 in addition to and at a distance from the two rolls 221.

The jaws 232 permit the reception of wall elements of all widths, lengths and thicknesses.

The transport device according to Fig. 20 and 21 is suitable for carrying out three or more functions: First function: as a transport vehicle; particularly well suited for narrow space conditions such as angularly disposed walls and narrow passages.

Second function: for setting up wall ele ments for insertion into a ceiling rail, positioning and adjusting perpendicularly, pressing element against the wall and locking screws.

Third function: as a processing table. By lateral telescopic extension of the upper and lower jaws 232 and lateral tilting up of the handles 233, it is possible to create a horizontal working surface by tipping the device backward until the handles also rest on the floor. In this position, for instance, it is possible to finish a wall element or a sanitary element and without releasing the element 224 from the jaws 232, the element can be left on the device after finishing and be used for setting up the walls after the device is tipped back up on its wheels 221.

The plant represented and described is particularly well suited for the transporting of wall and ceiling elements for interior walling, in particular intermediary wall elements. Adjustable wall and ceiling elements of this type which can be provided with adjusting screws for adjustment in height are described, for instance, in Austrian Patents Nos. 370165, 369082 and 372133.

Claims

1. A plant for transporting and installing of building elements, in particular wall and ceiling elements, preferably for the interior walling of buildings, with at least one transport vehicle for conveying the building elements to the building site and with at least one pallet for the common transport of two or more building elements, characterized in that the plant is provided with at least one conveying device for transporting the pallets loaded with building elements to the intended floor of the building, with at least one pallet or building element transport vehicle for receiving the pallets and/or building elements discharged from the conveying device and for their further transport to a tipping device for the processing and/or mounting of the elements, which tipping device is formed in particular as a three-sided tipper, and at least one transport means with a receiving means pivotally supported on its frame for installing the building elements.

2. A plant according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device for transporting the pallets loaded with building elements from the transport vehicle to the intended floor of the building comprises at least one lifting device and/or a linear conveyor, in particular a roller conveyor, conveyor belt or the like.

3. A plant according to claim 1, wherein the preferably hydraulic lifting device is built onto the transport vehicle.

4. A plant according to claim 2, wherein the lifting device is provided with an essentially H-shaped supporting frame for the pallets with the individual building elements, which frame has a cross beam on which a hook connected to a carrying rope is engage

4. A plant according to claim 4, wherein the supporting frame is provided with a preferably essentially L-shaped stabilizer articulated by its one leg to the supporting frame and provided on its other end with a guide means for the carrying rope.

6. A plant according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the linear conveyor is provided with a support freely projecting on the inlet side.

7. A plant according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the linear conveyor is supported on the floor or on the ceiling of the story of the building by means of a stay preferably adjustable in height.

8. A plant according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the linear conveyor formed as a roller conveyor and provided with coasting rollers is arranged inclined or inclinable in relation to the floor of the story of the building so that the discharge side end of the linear conveyor is positioned at a smaller distance from the floor than the inlet side end of the linear conveyor.

9. A plant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pallet transport vehicle is provided with a height-adjustable receiving platform which is preferably adjustable in height in relation to the frame of the pallet transport vehicle by means of a threaded spindle actuated by means of a crank handle.

10. A plant according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pallet transport vehicle is provided with at least one pivotally supported supporting wheel, with the swivelling axis arranged essentially horizontally.

11. A plant according to claim 10, wherein the supporting wheel freely rotatable around an essentially vertical axis is arranged in the central longitudinal plane of the pallet transport vehicle.

1 2. A plant according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pallet transport vehicle is provided with a tippable receiving platform.

1 3. A plant according to claim 1, wherein in the tipping device for the building elements comprising a frame provided with wheels and drivable on the ground, on which frame a receiving means, in particular a receiving table, is pivotally positioned, the receiving means is formed as a three-sided tipper and optionally pivotable on the frame around two essentially horizontal swivelling axes extend ing normally in relation to one another and lockable in at least three pivoting positions in relation to the frame.

14. A plant according to claim 13, wherein the swivelling axes are formed of hinge pins axially slidably disposed on the frame and connected by a handle, said hinge pins optionally being engageable in bearings provided on the underside of the receiving means.

1 5. A plant according to claim 13, herein at least one extension arm is articulated to one of the swivelling axes, while the receiving means is articulatedly supported on the other end of the extension arm and at least one tension spring or the like connected to the frame is articulated to the extension arm at a distance from both of its ends.

1 6. A plant according to any one of claims 1 3 to 15, wherein the receiving means is provided on at least one side with a stop for the building element.

1 7. A plant according to any one of claims 1 3 to 16, wherein the receiving means is provided with at least one preferably pivotally positioned handle.

1 8. A plant according to any one of claims 1 3 to 17, wherein the frame is provided with at least one stop for the receiving means.

1 9. A plant according to claim 1, wherein in the transport vehicle for the building elements comprising a frame provided with rollers and drivable on the ground, on which frame a receiving means for the transported goods in positioned and adjustable in height in relation to the frame by means of at least one lifting device, in particular a pressureactuated working cylinder, the receiving means is pivotally supported in relation to the frame.

20. A plant according to claim 19, wherein a crank or the like is provided for pivoting the receiving means, which crank is connected to an essentially horizontally arranged threaded spindle which is rotatably supported in the frame, on the one hand, and engaged in a screw nut connected to the receiving means, on the other hand.

21. A plant according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the threaded spindle is arranged essentially in the central longitudinal plane of the device spacially below the lifting device.

22. A plant according to any one of the claims 19 to 21, wherein the threaded spindle for pivoting the receiving means provided with a fork-shaped receiving platform is arranged essentially parallel in relation to the prongs of the fork of the receiving platform.

23. A plant according to any one of claims 1 9 to 22, wherein for pivoting or inclining the receiving means around a second axis, a second crank or the like is provided and connected to a further, essentially horizontally extending threaded spindle which extends essentially transversely in relation to the first threaded spindle and is rotatably supported in the frame, on the one hand, and engageable with a further screw nut connected to the receiving means, on the other hand.

24. A plant according to any one of claims 1 9 to 23, wherein the receiving means is provided with at least one stop for abutment of the transported goods.

25. A plant according to any one of claims 1 9 to 24, wherein the receiving means is provided with at least two laterally arranged, opposing, in particular telescopically formed jaws, preferably four jaws arranged in pairs.

26. A plant according to any one of the claims 19 to 25, wherein the receiving means is provided with at least one pivotally supported handle which is pivotable around an essentially horizontal axis.

27. A plant for transporting and installing of building elements substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1, 3 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows: Claims 2 and 4 to 27 above have been renumbered as 4 and 6 to 29 and their appendancies corrected.

1. A method of installing building elements such as wall and ceiling elements by providing the elements on a pallet, conveying the pallet to the building site, lifting the pallet to the appropriate floor, receiving the pallet and discharging same to a conveyor which leads to a tipping device by which the elements are reoriented, and transporting the elements on a transport means when so oriented into the desired position.

2. Apparatus for transporting and installing building elements, in particular wall and ceiling elements, including a transport vehicle for conveying the building elements to the building site, a pallet to carry a plurality of building elements, a conveying device for transporting the pallets to the intended floor of the building, a pallet or building element transport vehicle positioned to receive the pallets and/or building elements discharged from the conveying device and to further transport them to a tipping device for reorienting the elements and processing and/or mounting of the elements, the tipping device cooperting with a transport means with a receiving means pivotally supported on its frame for receiving the building elements from the tipping device and installing them.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tipping device is a three sided tipper.

5. A plant according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein a hydraulic lifting device is built onto the transport vehicle.

30. A method of installing building elements substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.