GB2407081A

GB2407081A - Apparatus for use in laying flagstones

Info

Publication number: GB2407081A
Application number: GB0324223A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Aspden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-16
Filing date: 2003-10-16
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-16
Also published as: GB2407081B; GB0324223D0

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use in the laying of flagstones 10 comprising a wheeled conveyance 1, for example a sack truck, to which is connected a releasable clamping mechanism. The mechanism includes a pair of jaws 9 between which a flagstone 10 can be clamped for transportation by the truck 1 prior to being laid in a desired position by release of the clamping mechanism. To this end, the jaws 9 preferably comprise a pair of parallel, angle section projections which are attached to a cross-frame 11. In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism comprises battery-powered hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. In another embodiment, the clamping mechanism is releasably connected to the conveyance 1 so that it can be disconnected from the clamping mechanism and the conveyance 1 used in a conventional manner for transporting other types of load.

Description

240708 1 - 1 -

APPARATUS FOR USE IN LAYING FLAGSTONES

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in laying flagstones.

Conventionally, flagstones are laid by being manually laid onto a prepared, level surface. Sometimes, a layer or small heaps of mortar are applied to the surface prior to the flagstone being positioned in order that a final adjustment of the level of the flagstone can be made with a maul. It will be appreciated that when laying large flagstones, manoeuvring the stone into position can be a difficult task, requiring a great deal of physical strength. Generally, therefore, it is a job for more than one person unless specialist equipment is employed. Such equipment, which employs hydraulic or pneumatic systems, is available but is generally large and expensive so that it is predominantly used by large contractors and is not easily available for use by smaller concerns and handymen who may only wish to lay flagstones on an occasional basis.

The object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for use in the laying of flagstones and the like which is used to adapt a sack truck or other similar wheeled conveyance so that the conveyance can then be used for this purpose, preferably by one man.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in the laying of flagstones and comprising a wheeled conveyance to which is connected a releasable clamping mechanism including a pair of jaws between which a flagstone can be clamped for transportation by the conveyance prior to being laid in a desired position by release of the clamping mechanism. - 2 -

Preferably, the jaws comprise a pair of parallel, angle section projections which are attached to a cross-frame.

Preferably also, the clamping mechanism comprises a tie rod which connects the jaws and along which at least one of the jaws can be moved relative to the other between a clamping position and a release position.

In a first embodiment, the jaws are moved relative to one another along the tie-rod by means of a cam arrangement connected to a clamping handle. Alternatively, in a second embodiment the tie-rod is screw-threaded and at least one of the jaws is moveable relative thereto by means of a ratchet assembly operated by a handle.

In an electrically powered embodiment, the clamping mechanism preferably comprises at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder arrangement which connects the jaws and by means of which at least one of the jaws can be moved relative to the other between a clamping position and a release position.

Preferably also, the position of the jaws relative to the cross-frame when the jaws are in their release position can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of flagstone.

Preferably also, clamping faces of the jaws are lined with a resilient material to assist in the gripping of the flagstone without causing damage thereto.

Preferably also, the wheels of the conveyance are each located within a wheel housing that is adjustably mounted on the conveyance so that the height of the clamping mechanism relative to the ground can be adjusted. 3

Preferably also, the position of each of the wheel housings relative to the conveyance can be adjusted by means of an hydraulic or a pneumatic cylinder connected therebetween.

Preferably also, the clamping mechanism is releasably connected to the wheeled conveyance which, when disconnected from the clamping mechanism, can be used as a conventional conveyance.

Preferably also, the wheeled conveyance is a sack truck.

Preferably also, the sack truck comprises a frame to which is connected a pair of wheels at one end and having handle means at an opposite end.

Preferably also, the sack truck comprises a carrying arrangement which is connected to said one end of the frame opposite the wheels and to which the releasable clamping mechanism is attached.

Examples of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is side elevation of an apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a sack truck; Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively front and plan views of the sack truck shown in Fig. 1 with a clamping mechanism thereof shown in a fully extended position; Fig. 4 and 5 are views similar to those of Figs. 2 and 3 respectively but showing the clamping mechanism in an adjusted, intermediate position; - 4 - Fig. 6 is a schematic front elevation showing an alternative embodiment of a clamping mechanism; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to those of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 respectively of an electrically powered sack truck; and Figs. 10 to 12 are sequential schematic side elevations of a sack truck similar to that shown in Fig. 1 in use in the laying of a flagstone.

In the following descriptive examples the apparatus for use in the laying of flagstones comprises a sack truck 1 that has been appropriately adapted in accordance with the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that other forms of wheeled conveyance, for example a fork-lift truck, a fourwheeled truck and various forms of trolleys, could be adapted for use in a similar way.

As shown in the drawings, the sack truck 1 comprises a frame 2 to which a pair of wheels 3 are connected at one end via housings 4 and a pair of handles 5 are connected at an opposite end. The frame 2 is shaped so that the handles 5 are angled towards the user in order to facilitate use and is braced with struts 6 to strengthen it.

At the lower end of the frame 1 on a side opposite to the wheels 3 is a carrying arrangement 7. In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the carrying arrangement 7 comprises a releasable clamping mechanism 8 but in other embodiments the carrying arrangement may include, in addition, a support platform (not shown) which is also connected to the frame, the clamping mechanism 8 being releasably connected either to the frame 2 and/or to the platform such that on its removal the sack truck 1 can be used in a conventional manner for other types of load.

The clamping mechanism 8 includes a pair of jaws 9 which comprise a pair of parallel, angle section projections between which a flagstone 10 can be clamped for transportation by the truck 1 prior to being laid in a desired position by release of the clamping mechanism 8, as will be described below. The jaws 9 are attached to a cross- frame 11 which is used to connect the mechanism to the frame 1 and which comprises a pair of housings 12 in which the jaws 9 are respectively connected to two parallel rods 13 that span each of the housings 12 at right angles to the jaws 9.

The jaws 9 can slide along the rods 13 so that the position of the jaws 9 relative to the cross-frame can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of flagstone 10. In this regard, Figs. 2 and 3 show the jaws 9 in a fully extended position to accommodate a large flagstone 10 whereas Figs. 4 and 5 show the same truck 1 when the jaws 9 are arranged in an adjusted position to accommodate a smaller flagstone 10.

In a first embodiment of sack truck 1, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the jaws 9 are also connected intermediate their length by at least one and preferably two spaced tie-rods 14.

Each tie-rod 14 is rigidly connected to one jaw 9 via a nut and spring washer arrangement or other similar spring means at one end and to the other jaw 9 via cam arrangement 16 that is connected to a clamping handle 17. By rotation of the clamping handle 17 through 90 , the cam arrangement 16 is also rotated to move the jaws 9 relative to one another between a flagstone clamping position and a flagstone release position.

To assist in the gripping of the flagstone 10 without causing damage thereto, the clamping faces of the jaws 9 are preferably lined with a resilient material, such as rubber strips (not shown). - 6

In another embodiment, as show in Fig. 6, the jaws are connected by pairs of tie-rods 18 that are externally screw- threaded with left-hand and right-hand threads respectively.

The rods 19 are connected to a centrally located ratchet assembly 19 operated by a handle 20 by means of which the jaws 9 can be moved relative to one another between a flagstone clamping position and a flagstone release position.

In an electrically powered embodiment as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the clamping mechanism 8 comprises at least one and preferably two hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 21 which interconnects the jaws 9 and by means of which at least one of the jaws can be moved relative to the other between a flagstone clamping position and a flagstone release position.

In this example the cylinders 21 are battery powered from a power pack 22 located above the cross-frame 11. However, other means of powering the cylinders 21 could be provided.

For example, a compressed gas cylinder, a petrol driven engine or a mains power supply could all be provided according to the circumstances in which the apparatus will be used. In this embodiment, the power pack 22 is also used to adjust the height of the carrying arrangement 7 relative to the ground by altering the height of the wheels 3 relative to the frame 2. This is accomplished by adjustably mounting the wheel housings 4 to the frame 1 and by connecting therebetween an hydraulic or a pneumatic cylinder 23 driven by the power pack 22.

In use, as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the truck 1 is positioned alongside a flagstone 10 to be transported ready for laying and the jaws 9, in a release position, are located on either side of the flagstone 10 as shown in Fig. 10. If necessary, the positions of the jaws 9 should be adjusted by sliding them along the rods 13 so that they can grip the edges of the flagstone 10. The clamping mechanism should then be employed to clamp the flagstone 10 between the jaws 9. The - 7 truck 1 can then be tipped up in a conventional manner and the flagstone 10 wheeled to a laying position as shown in Fig. 11. In the electrically powered embodiment, as described above, the height of the wheels 3 relative to the frame 2 can be adjusted to raise the flagstone 10 to a suitable transportation height. When the desired laying position is reached, the flagstone 10 should be located directly above this position by appropriately manoeuvring the position of the truck 1. If necessary to accomplish this, for example if the flagstone 10 is to be laid on a bed of mortar 24, the truck 1 can be wheeled up onto a shim 25 or, in the electrically powered version, the height of the wheels 3 should be appropriately adjusted. Once above its final position, the flagstone 10 can be gently laid in place and the clamping mechanism 8 released so that the truck 1 can be wheeled away.

Hence, the sack truck 1 provides a simple inexpensive means whereby a single labourer can readily lay large flagstones without assistance. - 8 -

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in the laying of flagstones and comprising a wheeled conveyance to which is connected a releasable clamping mechanism including a pair of jaws between which a flagstone can be clamped for transportation by the conveyance prior to being laid in a desired position by release of the clamping mechanism.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the jaws comprise a pair of parallel, angle section projections which are attached to a cross-frame.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a tie-rod which connects the jaws and along which at least one of the jaws can be moved relative to the other between a clamping position and a release position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the jaws are moved relative to one another along the tie-rod by means of a cam arrangement connected to a clamping handle.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the tie-rod is screw-threaded and at least one of the jaws is moveable relative thereto by means of a ratchet assembly operated by a handle.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder arrangement which connects the jaws and by means of which at least one of the jaws can be moved relative to the other between a clamping position and a release position. - 9

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the position of the jaws relative to the cross-frame when the jaws are in their release position can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of flagstone.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein clamping faces of the jaws are lined with a resilient material to assist in the gripping of the flagstone without causing damage thereto.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the wheels of the conveyance are each located within a wheel housing that is adjustably mounted on the conveyance so that the height of the clamping mechanism relative to the ground can be adjusted.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the position of each of the wheel housings relative to the conveyance can be adjusted by means of an hydraulic or a pneumatic cylinder connected therebetween.

Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the clamping mechanism is releasably connected to the wheeled conveyance which, when disconnected from the clamping mechanism, can be used as a conventional conveyance.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the wheeled conveyance comprises a sack truck.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the sack truck comprises a frame to which is connected a pair of wheels at one end and having handle means at an opposite end.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the sack truck comprises a carrying arrangement which is connected to said one end of the frame opposite the wheels and to which the releasable clamping mechanism is attached.

15. Apparatus for use in the laying of flagstones substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, Fig. 6, Figs. 7 to 9, or Figs. 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.