GB2410483A - Fence panel and gravel board lifter - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting device for lifting fence panels and/or gravel boards comprises lower supports <B>6, 14</B> which are clamped onto existing fence posts by clamps <B>1, 7</B>. Upper supports <B>10, 13</B> are fixed onto the lower supports <B>1, 7</B> and extend beyond the height of the fence. A harness <B>8</B> or cradle is attached to the fence panel or gravel board, cords <B>11</B> or wires are then attached to the harness <B>8</B> which are then passed over pulleys <B>5, 12</B> and thereby connected to a winch <B>4</B>. The winch <B>4</B> winds the cords <B>11</B> evenly so that the panel remains horizontal when being raised or lowered. The panel or board can then be raised and lowered single-handedly by a person operating the winch <B>4</B>. A horizontal cross member <B>3</B> and a horizontal support bar <B>9</B> may be provided which may have fixing positions and slots to enable adjustment for width between fencing posts. The device may be made of metal or reinforced plastic. The device may be easily dismantled to facilitate transportation or storage.

Description

24 1 0483 1/4

FENCE PANELAND

GRAVELBOARD LIFTER

DESCRIPTION

Wooden fence panels and concrete gravel boards usually require two people to lift and lower them into concrete fencing posts. It is generally not possible or safe for one person to lift and control these items to perform this task.

This invention enables one person to lift a wooden fence panel or concrete gravel board and lower it under control into concrete fence post slots.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows the operators view of a gravel board raised and ready to be lowered into the fencing post slots.

FIGURE 2 is a section through a concrete fence post and show locations for lower support 6.

FIGURE 3 is a section through the upper support 10 which rests on top of the fence post and is fixed to lower support 6.

As shown in Figure 1, lower supports 6 and 14 locate as shown in Figure 2 and are clamped to existing concrete fencing posts by means of, for example, quick acting clamps 1 and 7.

The lower support locations as shown in Figure 2 may be continuous or at the upper and lower positions of the fence post, width adjustable supports 15 as shown in Figure 2 may be included.

The clamps 1 and 7 may be captive to lower supports 6 and 14 and allow for vertical position adjustment. The vertical adjustment of the lower clamp 1 will be sufficient to allow clamping above an existing gravel board.

The lower supports 6 and 14 extend beyond the height of the fence posts to provide fixing locations for the upper supports 10 and 13 and horizontal support bar 9. Support bar 9 may have taxing positions and slots that enable adjustment for width between fencing posts. 2/4

Horizontal cross member 3 with a winch 4 attached is fixed to the lower supports. Horizontal cross member 3 may have fixing positions and slots that enable adjustment for width between fencing posts. The winch 4 will wind cords or tapes 11 evenly so that the fence panel or gravel board remains horizontal when being raised or lowered.

Lower pulleys 5 are attached to lower supports 6 and 14 at the level shown or alternatively may be attached at a higher level. Upper pulleys 12 are attached to upper supports 10 and 13. The pulleys may have a cover or shield to ensure that the cords or tapes 11 can not loose contact with the pulleys.

A wooden fence panel or a concrete gravel board is placed on, for example, wood support blocks 2 at ground level to enable each end to be secured to an adjustable cradle or harness 8 and to lifting cords or straps 11. The harness 8 may be securely fixed with, for instance, a buckle or clip. Alternatively, cords or straps 11 may be looped around the each end of the fence panel or gravel board and securely fixed with a buckle or clip.

A concrete gravel board is shown raised to the top of the fencing posts ready to be lowered under control into the fence post slots. When lowered the gravel board or fencing panel rests on support blocks 2 to provide a space to enable the removal of the lower clamps 1.

If a fence panel is to be lowered on to an existing gravel board, support blocks 2 are placed on the gravel board to enable removal of the lower clamps 1.

Construction of the Fence Panel and Gravel Board Lifter will preferably be of metal or plastic which may be reinforced and other suitable materials. The means of construction will enable easy dismantling to facilitate transportation and storage and speed when assembling for use. 3/4

Claims (5)

1. A device for lifting and lowering wooden fence panels and concrete gravel boards.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 that can be clamped to existing concrete slotted fence posts.

3. A device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 that requires only one operator to fit wooden fence panels and concrete gravel boards into the slots of concrete fence posts.

4 A device for lifting as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic which may be reinforced, wood or other suitable material or from a combination of these materials.

5. The lifting device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

5. The lifting device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A device comprising a winch for lifting and lowering wooden fence panels and concrete gravel boards.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 that can be clamped to existing concrete slotted fence posts.

3. A device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 that requires only one operator to fit wooden fence panels and concrete gravel boards into the slots of concrete fence posts.

4 A device for lifting as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic which may be reinforced, wood or other suitable material or from a combination of these materials.