GB2154980A

GB2154980A - Lifting cast articles

Info

Publication number: GB2154980A
Application number: GB08405282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Cunningham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-29
Filing date: 1984-02-29
Publication date: 1985-09-18
Also published as: GB2154980B; GB8405282D0

Abstract

An attachment (10) for casting in a concrete article such as a lid of a shah, manhole cover or the like to facilitate lifting thereof comprises a plastics sleeve (13) having an upwardly open end and an enlarged other end 14 enclosing a pair of slotted plates 16, 18 capable of being engaged by a key inserted through the open end to enable the item to be lifted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lifting attachment This invention relates to a lifting attachment for incorporation in a cast e.g. concrete article, such as a shaft cover, to facilitate lifting of the article, for example from a mould after casting, in transport and in use.

The present invention provides a lifting attachment, for incorporation in a cast article, in the form of a sleeve having at one end an enlarged casing wherein is arranged a fitment which can be engaged by a lifting element.

The sleeve can be cylindrical and the casing can be rectangular in cross-section.

The fitment can include a load plate having a diametrically disposed slot.

Beneath the load place can be a second, locating plate having a cross-shaped cut out composed of a slot in register with the slot in the load plate and a similar slot arranged at an angle, such as 90, to the slot in the load plate.

The two slotted plates allow a key to be attached to the attachment by introducing into the sleeve a shank of the key carrying at its distal end a cross-piece complementary to the slots, allowing the cross-piece to pass through the load plate and rotating the key e.g.

through 90, to cause the cross-piece to engage the second slot in the locating plate.

A compression spring in the casing beyond the plates can maintain the key in its locked-in position and the shank of the key can have at its other end a lifting eye, hook or like formation.

The shape and disposition of the fitment can be of any desired construction or shape provided it is capable of receiving a key which can, after insertion, be turned to dispose it in a lifting position. For example, a key having a radially extending arm instead of the crosspiece could be used, although it would be less effective than the "T-shaped" key.

A plug can be provided for closing the outer end of the sleeve when not in use.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of a preferred attachment of the invention: Figure 2 is a cross-section on line ll-ll of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a load plate of the attachment; Figure 4 is a plan view of a locating plate of the attachment; Figure 5 is an elevation of a key for use with the attachment; and Figure 6 is an underneath plan view of the key of Fig. 5.

A preferred attachment 10 of the invention is suitable for incorporation in a cast article 11 such as a concrete form. The attachment 10 is cast into the article 11 adjacent a surface 1 2 thereof. Hereafter the surface 1 2 will be taken to be horizontal and the attachment to be suitable for lifting the article 11. It will be appreciated, however, that the attachment could be arranged on vertical or other surfaces for use in situations where a cast article needs to have a force other than a vertical lifting force exerted thereon, for example where an article is to be dragged.

The attachment comprises a hollow cylinder 1 3 of plastics material whose outer end lies flush with surface 1 2 and whose inner end portion 14 is-enlarged and complementary with a rectangular cup-like port 1 5. The port 1 5 and portion 14 together form a hollow casing enlarged compared with the diameter of cylinder 1 3 and incorporating a key receiving fitment which has been disposed within the casing during manufacture and retained therein by the union of port 1 5 and portion 1 4 as by adhesive.The fitment consists of an outer square, steel load plate 1 6 having a central slot 1 7 therein which lies diametrically transverse to the axis of cylinder 1 3. Beneath load plate 1 6 is a similar shaped location plate 1 8 having a central cross-shaped aperture therein composed of a first limb 1 9 coincident with slot 1 7 and a second similar limb 20 at right angles thereto. Between the plates 16, 1 8 and the lower end of the cup 15 is disposed a coil compression spring 21.

To prevent ingress of foreign matter and rainwater when it is not in use the cylinder 1 3 can be closed by a plug 22.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a key 23 which can be used with the attachment. The key 23 has a shank 24 and a lower cross-piece 25 shaped to pass through slot 1 7. The upper end of shank 24 can have a handle or a lifting loop, a lifting hook or similar formation for engagement by a crane or the like.

In use, the key 23 is inserted into cylinder 1 3 and its cross-piece 25 passed through slot 17, turned through 90 and engaged in the recesses formed by end portions of limb 20 and the lower surface of plate 16. Spring 21 urges the key 23 upwards and maintains it in this lifting postion without tilting thus facilitating engagement by a crane and ensuring that the key remains in the lifting position until it is removed.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, the shape of the fitment and of the key can be varied from the shapes shown.

1. A lifting attachment, for incorporation in a cast article, in the form of a sleeve having at one end an enlarged casing wherein is arranged a fitment which can be engaged by a lifting element.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1,

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lifting attachment This invention relates to a lifting attachment for incorporation in a cast e.g. concrete article, such as a shaft cover, to facilitate lifting of the article, for example from a mould after casting, in transport and in use. The present invention provides a lifting attachment, for incorporation in a cast article, in the form of a sleeve having at one end an enlarged casing wherein is arranged a fitment which can be engaged by a lifting element. The sleeve can be cylindrical and the casing can be rectangular in cross-section. The fitment can include a load plate having a diametrically disposed slot. Beneath the load place can be a second, locating plate having a cross-shaped cut out composed of a slot in register with the slot in the load plate and a similar slot arranged at an angle, such as 90, to the slot in the load plate. The two slotted plates allow a key to be attached to the attachment by introducing into the sleeve a shank of the key carrying at its distal end a cross-piece complementary to the slots, allowing the cross-piece to pass through the load plate and rotating the key e.g. through 90, to cause the cross-piece to engage the second slot in the locating plate. A compression spring in the casing beyond the plates can maintain the key in its locked-in position and the shank of the key can have at its other end a lifting eye, hook or like formation. The shape and disposition of the fitment can be of any desired construction or shape provided it is capable of receiving a key which can, after insertion, be turned to dispose it in a lifting position. For example, a key having a radially extending arm instead of the crosspiece could be used, although it would be less effective than the "T-shaped" key. A plug can be provided for closing the outer end of the sleeve when not in use. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of a preferred attachment of the invention: Figure 2 is a cross-section on line ll-ll of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a load plate of the attachment; Figure 4 is a plan view of a locating plate of the attachment; Figure 5 is an elevation of a key for use with the attachment; and Figure 6 is an underneath plan view of the key of Fig. 5. A preferred attachment 10 of the invention is suitable for incorporation in a cast article 11 such as a concrete form. The attachment 10 is cast into the article 11 adjacent a surface 1 2 thereof. Hereafter the surface 1 2 will be taken to be horizontal and the attachment to be suitable for lifting the article 11. It will be appreciated, however, that the attachment could be arranged on vertical or other surfaces for use in situations where a cast article needs to have a force other than a vertical lifting force exerted thereon, for example where an article is to be dragged. The attachment comprises a hollow cylinder 1 3 of plastics material whose outer end lies flush with surface 1 2 and whose inner end portion 14 is-enlarged and complementary with a rectangular cup-like port 1 5. The port 1 5 and portion 14 together form a hollow casing enlarged compared with the diameter of cylinder 1 3 and incorporating a key receiving fitment which has been disposed within the casing during manufacture and retained therein by the union of port 1 5 and portion 1 4 as by adhesive.The fitment consists of an outer square, steel load plate 1 6 having a central slot 1 7 therein which lies diametrically transverse to the axis of cylinder 1 3. Beneath load plate 1 6 is a similar shaped location plate 1 8 having a central cross-shaped aperture therein composed of a first limb 1 9 coincident with slot 1 7 and a second similar limb 20 at right angles thereto. Between the plates 16, 1 8 and the lower end of the cup 15 is disposed a coil compression spring 21. To prevent ingress of foreign matter and rainwater when it is not in use the cylinder 1 3 can be closed by a plug 22. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a key 23 which can be used with the attachment. The key 23 has a shank 24 and a lower cross-piece 25 shaped to pass through slot 1 7. The upper end of shank 24 can have a handle or a lifting loop, a lifting hook or similar formation for engagement by a crane or the like. In use, the key 23 is inserted into cylinder 1 3 and its cross-piece 25 passed through slot 17, turned through 90 and engaged in the recesses formed by end portions of limb 20 and the lower surface of plate 16. Spring 21 urges the key 23 upwards and maintains it in this lifting postion without tilting thus facilitating engagement by a crane and ensuring that the key remains in the lifting position until it is removed. The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, the shape of the fitment and of the key can be varied from the shapes shown. CLAIMS

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical and the casing is rectangular in cross-section.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the fitment includes a load plate having a diametrically disposed slot.

4. An attachment as claimed in claim 3 wherein beneath the load plate is a second, locating plate having a cross-shaped cut out composed of a slot in register with the slot in the load plate and a similar slot arranged at an angle to the slot in the load plate.

5. An attachment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the similar slot lies at 90 to the slot in the load plate.

6. An attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a key capable of being attached to the attachment by introducing into the sleeve a shank of the key carrying at its distal end a cross-piece complementary to the slots, allowing the cross-piece to pass through the load plate and rotating the key to cause the cross-piece to engage the second slot in the locating plate.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein a compression spring in the casing beyond the plates maintains the key in its locked-in position.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the shank of the key has at its other end a lifting eye, hook or like formation.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the key has a radially extending arm.

10. An attachment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein a plug is provided for closing the outer end of the sleeve when not in use.

11. An attachment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve casing consists of a socket receiving the fitment and a closed cap which is sealed to the socket to form with the sleeve a hollow structure completely sealed apart from one open end, thus reducing the chances of corrosion of the fitment by water or chemicals from the concrete.

1 2. An attachment as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cap has a skirt which embraces walling of the socket closely and is sealed thereto by adhesive, solvent welding, heat welding or ultrosonic welding.

13. An attachment for concrete substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.