GB2353268A

GB2353268A - Slab trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2353268A
Application number: GB9919149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Thomas Cartwright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-16
Filing date: 1999-08-16
Publication date: 2001-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-16
Also published as: GB2353268B; GB9919149D0

Abstract

A slab manipulator includes a chassis 1 with a single axle 8 on the lower side. The other side of the chassis, at its lowest point is an inclined, fixed clamp jaw 17, which holds a single slab parallel to the axle 8. At the highest point of the chassis is a two positions, cranked, 'T-bar' handle 22. Top clamp jaws (10)and 11 will pivot to clamp the slab and pick it up from horizontal or near vertical position. A push rod 4 adjusts the clamp jaws (10) and 11 to fit, causing the clamp jaws 10 and 11 operating lever 3 to lock at clamp pressure. The push rod 4 is of adjustable length. The slab will stay in position at all times until released. The wheels 2 will be wide enough and large enough to enable travel on reasonably soft or uneven ground i.e. two wheels each side. It will be able to stand unaided, loaded or unloaded.

Description

2353268 SLAB MANIPULATOR This invention relates to a slab manipulator of

the type used for the movement and laying down of concrete or composite slabs for garden, patio or paving. That includes a single axle, wheels, a handle and a clamp wide enough to fit the breadth of a slab. It is able to stand upright loaded or unloaded. In addition, be storable in an average car boot.

There are other slab handling mechanisms, but usually have the restriction of being part of a lorry's fittings or will only carry a balanced slab to its final site. The user manhandles the slab both on and off the device and manhandles the slab into its final horizontal or stacking position. Although some slabs are lighter, they are still difficult to manipulate by most people.

The objectives of this invention is to provide a method of picking up, moving, and laying of single a slab, whether standing or if lying flat on the floor.

This invention provides a slab manipulator, one side of the chassis has a static bottom clampjaw at its lowest point, fixed across the width, where the slab sits parallel to the axle. The top clampjaws pivot on to the slab, from the other side of the chassis, where the push rod, clamp jaw operating lever and wheels axle are fixed. To obtain the clamp grip required and ensuring the lever will lock at clamp pressure, the clampJaws adjustment is by twisting the push rod on its axis. Wheels on the single axle, close to floor level, support the manipulator and give mobility when transporting the slab. These are in pairs, wide and large enough to allow travel on reasonably soft or uneven ground.

Different metals have been used in the building of the slab manipulator except the wheels which are of a composite material. A combination of materials such as woods, carbon fibre or nylon could have been used instead.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

DRAWING 1. FIG. 1. Shows a side view of the whole slab manipulator. DRAWING 1. FIG. 2. Shows the slab manipulator inclined for transporting the slab. DRAWING 1. FIG. 3. Shows the slab manipulator placing the slab on to the ground either handle position A or B can be used..

DRAWING 2. FIG. 1. Shows a side view of the chassis with the two handle positions A and B, the clampJaws, push rod, wheels and slab position.

DRAWING 3. FIG. 2. Is an exploded view of the clampJaws, lever, lever stop, push rod, push rod shackles and pivot bolts and nuts, normally obscured by the wheel and chassis.

DRAWING 4. FIG. 1. The rear view of the whole slab manipulator. DRAWING 4. FIG. 2. The front view of the whole slab manipulator. DRAWING 4. FIG. 3. The view looking up from floor level. DRAWING 4. FIG. 4. The view looking down. DRAWING 4. FIG. 5. An exploded view of the wheels and washers normally obscured.

2 As shown in drawing 1/4. FIG 1 the slab manipulator consists of a chassis 1, wheels 2 of a known design arranged in pairs, a single axle 8 of a known design. Above the axle 8 is the clamp mechanism. Which comprises of a lever 3 and a pivot point 12 shown in drawing 3/4 FIG 2, linked by a shackle 6 to the push rod 4. A shackle 5 links the push rod 4 the top right clamp jaw 10 and the left clamp jaw 11 which both pivot on point 14 shown in drawing 3/4 FIG 2. The lever is locked, when the slab clamp pressure holds the clamp lever against the locking adjustment bolt 7, this ensures the slab does not become loose with out external assistance. At its lowest end is a fixed jaw 17, which inclines towards the chassis. The handle 22 is in the upright position 'A'. All the pivot bolts 9, adjusting bolts 7, nuts 15 and washers 16 are of a known design.

As shown in drawing 1/4. FIG 1. Lever 3 opens the topjaws. With the slab manipulator upright it is wheeled so the bottom clamp jaw 17 is as close as possible to the lower edge of the slab. With the handle 22 in the upright position 'A', the handle 22 is then inclined towards the slab. Using a foot against the axle or chassis cross section, clamp jaw 17 is pushed under the slab. Ensuring the chassis 1 is firmly against the surface of the slab. Lever 3 is used to put clamp pressure on to the slab. Twisting the push rod 4 on its axis to adjust the top jaw clamps 10 & 11 will ensure that they firmly clamp the slab. Lever stop 7 is adjustable and to ensure that the lever will stay clamped and locked. The handle 22 is reclined to put the slab manipulator onto its wheels 2 along with the slab and used to push or pull the slab to the site.

As shown in drawing 1/4 FIG 3 unloading is by using the handle 22 to pivot the manipulator upright onto the front edge of the bottom clamp jaw 17, pushing the handle 22 forward and over. Lowering the slab manipulator until the slab is at floor level. Releasing the clamp lever 3 will allow the clamp jaws, 10 & 11 to release the slab and leave it in situ. Using handle 22 the slab manipulator can then be pivoted upright, and over on to its wheels. The reversal can pick up the slab up and place it at another site.

Drawing 2/4 FIG 1 shows the handle harbour 24 and the handle 22 in its different positions 'A' and 'B' the handle is held in place by a locking pin 25. Position 'B' is used to save bending and help manipulate the slab when it is on the floor. The handle can be completely removed to reduce the storage area required for the slab manipulator.

Drawing 3/4 FIG 2 shows an exploded view of the clamp mechanism. Lever 33 pivots at pivot point 12 using bolt 9, washers 16 and secured by nut 15. Bolt 9 and washers 16 secured by nut 15 join the lever 3 to shackle 6 which is connected to the push rod 4 by a right-hand screw thread. At the other end of the push rod 4, a left -hand screw thread joins with shackle 5 and couples the top clamp jaws 10 & 11. Using bolt 9 washers 16 and secured by nut 15 these pivot on point 14 using bolt 9 washers 16 and secured by nut 15. Bolt 9, washers 16 and nuts 15 along with the thread stock of push rod 4 and lever stop adjusting bolt 7 are of a known design. Drawing 4/4 FIG 5 Shows an explode view of the wheels 2, thrust washer 18 and the axle 8. The wheel 2 and washer 18 are of a known design.

Claims

1 A slab manipulator includes a chassis, wheels rotatable on a single axle. A fixed lower clamp jaw that will support a slab. A pivoting pair of clamp jaws, operated by a clamp lever through an adjustable push rod. This applies clamp pressure to a single slab, which using the handle, can be picked up whether vertical or horizontal, transported and put down whether vertical or horizontal. 2 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 where the wheels are arranged in pairs at either end of the axle and be wide and large enough so as to allow travel over reasonably soft or uneven ground. 3 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 where the adjustment to the push rod, is by a left hand screw thread, turning With a right hand screw thread. This adjusts the clampjaw pressure and ensures the locking of the clamp lever against the clamp lever stop bolt. 4 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 or claim 3 where the clamp lever stop bolt is adjusted to lock at clamp pressure, so that the slab will stay in position at all times until released. 5 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 where the whole manipulator will be able to stand unaided loaded or unloaded. 6 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 where the lower clampjaw is inclined towards the slab, wide enough so as the slab does not pivot on its width. 7 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 where the handle is of a 'T bar' type cranked to avoid finger entrapment when the manipulator is placing a slab horizontally when the handle is left in the upright position. 8 A slab manipulator as in claim 1 and claim 7 where the handle can be repositioned 90 degrees to the rear and be used in lowering and manipulating the slab. 9 A slab manipulator as in any preceding claim that the manipulator will lift, carry and lay concrete, composite or other types of garden, patio or paving slabs. 10 A slab manipulator as in any preceding claim which is made from woods, metal, nylon, carbon fibre, composite materials or a combination of these materials. 11 A slab manipulator substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.