GB2542156A

GB2542156A - Gully lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2542156A
Application number: GB1515988.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Christopher
Original assignee: Stanton Bonna Concrete Ltd
Current assignee: Stanton Bonna Concrete Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-09
Publication date: 2017-03-15
Also published as: GB201515988D0

Abstract

A lifting device 2, in particular for lifting a road gully having a spout S projecting from a cylindrical gully pot P, comprises three arms 10, 12, 14 depending downwards from a body 4, each arm provided with a gripping element 18, 20, 22 for gripping the exterior surface of the gully pot P with two of the arms (20,22) spaced apart so that, in use, they extend past either side of the spout S and the remaining arm 18 extendng, in use, along the opposite side of the gully pot P from the spout S. Adjustment means such as lever 32 or by pivoting the first arm (38 fig. 10) may vary the distance between the gripping elements 18, 20, 22. The gripping elements 18, 20, 22 may be curved or angled and may include a rubber element.

Description

Title: Gully lifting device

The present invention relates to a lifting device, in particular to a device for lifting road gullies.

Road gullies are provided at the edges of roads to retain solids such as silt and other debris that run off roads during rainfall, whilst letting collected surface water flow into a drainage system. They are conventionally concrete components, and comprise a generally cylindrical pot with a large diameter and a connection spout to a drainage pipe towards the top of the pot. In use, silt and other debris sink to the bottom of the pot, whilst the collected water flows through the connection spout to the drainage pipe.

It is necessary to clear a gully pot periodically in order to remove the build-up of silt and other materials. It is therefore advantageous to provide gully pots of a larger volume, in order to minimise the frequency of required clearing. This increases the already significant weight of the concrete gullies, and leads to handling problems during transport and installation.

Gully pots often include a tapered portion towards their base, so that the base of a gully pot is typically smaller than the top, where the main large opening is provided. As a result, gullies are generally transported upside-down for improved stability, particularly where a flatbed type vehicle is used. The gullies must be transferred to and from the vehicle in this upside-down position.

Conventional devices used for lifting road gullies comprise clamps with scissor-like arms. These scissor-like lifting devices generally comprise two arms with gripping elements that grip opposing sides of the gully pot, while the gully is positioned upside-down relative to its position during use. The gripping elements often comprise a pair of bars, at least twice as long as the diameter of a standard gully pot.

In an effort to offload gullies quickly, it is common for workers to try to take advantage of the long bars by lifting more than one at a time. This can often lead to road gullies being dropped, causing a significant risk to the safety of workers and observers during the lifting operation.

Even where they are moved individually, the irregular shape of the gully, being cylindrical with a spout for connection to a drainage system, can cause problems for the scissor-like devices. Furthermore, where gullies are closely packed for transport, the two opposing long gripping elements often cannot fit between the maximum diameter parts of adjacent gully pots. As a result, the contact between the gripping elements and the gully pots can often only be made in the inwardly tapered section towards the base of the or each gully pot. Hence, the way in which gullies are arranged during transportation causes further complications where they are handled with scissor-like lifting devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a specifically designed lifting device for road gullies that overcomes the disadvantages of more conventional general purpose lifting devices.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a gully lifting device as recited in the appended claim 1. Further beneficial features of the invention are recited in the associated dependent claims.

The lifting device is specifically designed for lifting a road gully having a spout projecting from a front side of a generally cylindrical gully pot, and comprises first, second and third spaced apart arms, provided respectively with first second and third gripping elements for gripping the exterior surface of said gully pot. Each arm extends, in use, downwards from a body so that the lifting device partly surrounds the gully pot with the second and third arms extending along the front side of the gully pot adjacent either side of the spout and the first arm extending along the rear side of the gully pot diametrically opposite the spout.

During transportation, road gullies may be arranged such that adjacent gulley pots are touching at various points on the circumference of the pots. The first, second and third arms may be spaced apart in order to grip a single gully pot at points that are located in voids between adjacent gullies.

The width of the spout on most road gullies is standardised, regardless of changes in their other dimensions, so that a single lifting device can be used to lift a number of different road gullies.

The second and third arms may be separated by an angle of less than 180 degrees. In use, the first arm may be positioned such that the gripping element of the first arm contacts the gully pot at a position substantially opposite the spout. The angle between the first and second arms may be greater than 90 degrees and the angle between the first and third arms may be greater than 90 degrees. The angle between the first and second arms may be approximately equal to the angle between the first and third arms.

The gripping elements may be provided on each arm adjacent a distal end thereof from the body to help ensure that the contact with the gully pot is beyond any angled surfaces adjacent the bottom of the pot.

The second and third gripping elements may be spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the spout of a standard road gully, for example by a distance of approximately 500mm.

Adjustment means may be provided on the body for adjusting the position of the first arm so that distance from the first gripping element to the second and third gripping elements can be varied.

The length of the first arm may be adjustable such that the gripping element of the first arm may be moved closer or further away from the gripping elements of the first and second arms as required. The length of the first arm may be adjustable in order to tighten or loosen the grip of the lifting device on the gully pot in use, and/or for lifting gully pots of different diameters. The length of the second and/or third arms may also be adjustable.

The first arm, which may be generally L shaped, may pivot relative to body. The adjustment means may then comprise two or more pivot points for the first arm.

Alternatively, the first arm may extend laterally from body. The adjustment means may then comprise means for varying the extension of the first arm from the body.

For example, at least a part of the first arm may received in the body. The degree by which the first arm extends out of the body can then be varied by adjustment means, for example by pins or bolts locking the first arm in position of blocking extension beyond a certain point.

The gripping elements may pivoted to arms. In particular, the first gripping element may be provided on a lever, for example an L shaped lever, pivotally mounted to the first arm.

For simplicity, the second and third arms may be in fixed positions relative to body. For example, the second and third arms may be provided in a single piece with a cross member which is secured to the body at right angles. Alternatively, the second and third arms may move relative to the body.

The first and second arms may both extend at an oblique angle to the cross member. The angle of arms to cross member may be between 90 and 140 degrees, more specifically between 100 and 130 degrees, still more specifically between 110 and 120 degrees, for example 116 degrees. The cross member may be approximately 265mm long. These dimensions and angles help to ensure that the spacing of the first and second gripping elements is sufficient for them to closely surround the spout of a gully pot. Flowever, a skilled reader will appreciate that other combinations of dimensions and angles would achieve the same result.

The gripping elements may be angled relative to each other such that in use each gripping element contacts the gully pot at an angle that is substantially normal to its outer surface to help ensure that the gripping force applied by the gripping elements acts normal to the surface of the gully pot. Additionally, or alternatively, the gripping elements may be provided on pivoting connectors.

The gripping elements comprise a rubber element, or similar, to improve grip on the golly pot. Alternatively, or additionally, the gripping elements may comprise a curved surface, for example having substantially the same radius of curvature as the gully pot. This may provide a close gripping fit between the gripping element and the gully pot in use. Alternatively, the gripping elements may comprise an angled surface. For example, the gripping element may be bent along an axis at an angle of approximate 160 degrees.

The first, second and third arms may meet at a point which may be positioned above the gully pot in use.

Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gully lifting device according to an example of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of arms of a lifting device, according to an example of the invention

Figures 3A to 4B are different views of gripping elements of a lifting device according to an example of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a gully lifting device according to an example of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic front view of a gully lifting device according to an example of the invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic rear view of a gully lifting device according to an example of the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a gully lifting device according to an example of the invention showing an adjustable arm in a first in use configuration;

Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a gully lifting device of Figure 8 showing an adjustable arm in a second in use configuration;

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a gully lifting device according to another example of the invention showing an adjustable arm in a first in use configuration; and

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the gully pot lifting device of Figure 9, showing an adjustable arm in a second in use configuration.

An embodiment of a lifting device 2 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1. The lifting device 2 comprises a body 4, a first arm 10, a second arm 12, and a third arm 14, all of which are formed from sheet steel. The arms 10,12,14 are all essentially ‘L’ shaped, and extend outwards and downwards from the body 4 to form a claw like arrangement to surround a road gully during use. The first arm 10 of the illustrated embodiment extends downwards 630mm from its upper edge, or 520mm from its lower edge. The distal end of the first arm 10 would therefore extend 520mm down the side of a road gully received in the lifting device 2. The second and third arms 12,14 are shorter, extending downwards 540mm from their upper edge or 430mm from their lower edge. It will be understood that these dimensions could be varied if required to suit taller or shorter road gullies.

The first arm 10 in the illustrated embodiment is formed from two pieces of 8mm sheet steel, while the second and third arms 12,14 are formed, along with the cross member 16, from a single piece of 10mm sheet steel. The first arm 10 is received within the body 4 and extends from one end thereof. The second arm 12 and third arm 14 extend from a cross member 16 which is secured to the body 4 at right angles.

The second and third arms are shown in plan view in Figure 2. Each of the second and third arms 12,14 is bent away from the cross member 16 so that when the lifting device 2 is assembled the second arm 12 and third arm 14 are at an oblique angle to both the cross member 16 and the first arm 10, which is parallel with the body 4. The angle 15 between each arm 12,14 and the cross member 16 is approximately 116 degrees, and the length of the cross member 16, between the bends, is 265 mm.

Returning to Figure 1, first second and third gripping elements 18,20,22 are provided respectfully at, or adjacent, the distal end of each of the first, second and third arms 10,12,14. Each gripping element 18,20,22 is arranged to provide a gripping surface at right angles to its respective arm 10,12,14, and is secured thereto by a pivot 19,21,23. The first gripping element 18 is provided on a lever 32 which is secured to the first arm 10 at pivot 19. The gripping elements 18,20,22 are shown in greater detail in figures 3A to 4B.

The first gripping element 18, shown in Figures 3A and 3B, is generally rectangular in shape, and is bent along a longitudinal axis 52 at an angle of approximately 160 degrees, as best seen in the end view of Figure 3B. This helps the gripping surface to conform to the curved outer surface of a gully during use.

The second and third gripping elements 20,22 both take the form shown in shown in Figures 4A and 4B. An end portion 54 of the second and third gripping elements 20,22 is bent at an angle of approximately 145 degrees, as seen in the side view of Figure 4B. In use, the end portion 54 bends away from the outer walls of the gully to provide a slight guide/lead in feature to help locate the lifting device 2 around a gully to be lifted.

Although not shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the second and third gripping elements 20,22 may also be bent along a longitudinal axis in a similar way to the first gripping element 18 to improve conformity with a curved surface. Flowever, the narrower width of the second and third gripping elements make this less significant than for the first gripping element.

The lifting device 2 further comprises a vertically extending handle 24, with a loop or eye 26 at its upper end so that it may be connected to a lifting machine, such as a crane, during use. The handle is attached to the body 4 of the lifting device 2. A wire 28 extends over a pulley 30 provided on the handle 24 to a first end of the lever 32, on the opposite side of the pivot 19 to a second end of the lever 32 where the first gripping element 18 is attached. This arrangement allows the position of the gripping element 18 to be adjusted by adjusting the length of the wire 28. The lever 32 has a slight ‘L’ shape with the pivot point 19 at its elbow. This allows the first gripping element 18 to be located close to the first arm 10 in a withdrawn position, with the remainder of the lever 32 extending outwards substantially horizontally, and to be moved inwards by applying tension to, or shortening, the wire 28. A counterweight 33 is provided on the first end of the lever 32 to help retain the first gripping element 18 in its withdrawn position.

Although the L shaped lever 32 effectively moves the position of the first gripping element 18 away from the distal end of the first arm 10, the extra length of the first arm 10 means that all three gripping elements 18,20,22 will contact the gully at approximately the same height during a lifting operation.

Road gullies, are typically provided with generally cylindrical pots 375 or 450mm in diameter, and with depths of between 750 and 1200mm. To accommodate the different diameters, the distance by which the first arm 10 extends out of the body 4 of the lifting device 2 is adjustable. The body 4 of the illustrated lifting device 2 comprises a slot 50, and two holes 56,58 are shown in the first arm 10. By inserting a pin or bolt through either of the holes 56,58 the maximum extension of the first arm 10 can be set. The position of the first arm 10 relative to the second and third arms 12,14 can therefore be adjusted for larger or smaller diameter gullies. A further hole 60 is provided in the body 4 to allow the first arm 10 to be fixed in a set position, although it may be possible to relay on the reaction force from the interaction of the gripping elements 18,20,22 with a gully.

Figure 5 show a schematic plan view of the lifting device 2 in use surrounding an inverted standard road gully, which is shown in broken lines. The road gully comprises a generally cylindrical pot P, and a spout S provided on one side of the pot P.

The second arm 12 and third arm 14 of the lifting device extend to opposite sides of the spout S, while the first arm 10 extends to a diametrically opposite side of the gully pot P. The gripping elements 18,20,22 contact the outer surface of the gully pot P at spaced locations around its circumference, with the second gripping element 20 adjacent one side of the spout S, and the third gripping element 22 adjacent the other side of the spout S.

Due to the angles between the first second and third arms 10,12,14, each of the arms 10,12,14 approaches the outer surface of the gully pot P substantially at a normal to the outer surface. The gripping elements 18,20,22 are likewise angled relative to each other, and each lies substantially at a tangent of the outer surface of the gully pot P. The gripping elements 18,20,22 therefore provide reliable contact with the outer surface of the gully pot P, and the gripping force applied by the lifting device is reliably directed toward the centre of a gully to be lifted.

The length of the cross member 16 and the angle at which the second and third arms 12,14 extend from the cross member 16, as described in relation to Figure 2, are chosen to correspond to dimensions of conventional gully pots, in order that the gripping elements 20,22 of the second and third arms 12,14 may grip the gully pot at positions adjacent either side of the spout of the gully pot. Although gully pots are available in different diameters and heights, the dimensions of the spout are generally uniform. As such, a standard spacing of the second and third arms 12,14 can account for various differently sized gullies. It should be understood, however, that the required spacing could be achieved with a different combination of dimensions and angles than described above.

The handle 24 is secured to the body 4 of the lifting device 2 at a position that sits approximately vertically above the combined centre of mass of the lifting device 2 and gully. This helps to maintain the mass substantially vertical during lifting of the lifting device 2 by a crane or similar. As illustrated, the handle 24 is fixed to the body, so its position is fixed relative to the second and third arms 12,14 when the extension of the first arm 10 is varied. The additional mass of the spout S on one side of the gully means that the centre of mass will generally be biased towards the spout side, and reduces the effect of varying the diameter of the gully. Nonetheless, if desired, the body 4 or simply the handle 24 could be made movable relative to the second and third arms 12,14 to provide more precise balance adjustment of the lifting device 2, at the expense of complicating the device 2.

Figure 6 shows a view of the arrangement of Figure 5 from the spout side of the gully, also referred to as a front view. The second arm 12 and third arm 14 are shown extending down the gully pot P on either side of the spout S as previously described. The handle 24 can be seen extending vertically above the centre of the gully pot P, and the first arm 10 can be seen extending behind the gully the gully pot P, past its rear side.

The opposite, rear, view is shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, the first arm 10 is clearly visible extending down the gully pot P, centrally between the second and third arms 12,14 which can just be seen on the opposite, front, side of the gully pot P. The heights of the first, second, and third gripping elements 18,20,22 can be seen to be approximately equal, despite the greater length of the first arm 10.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the lifting device 2 lowered into place over an inverted gully so that the arms 10,14 extend down the sides of the gully pot P.

The third gripping element 22 and the obscured second gripping element 20 are in contact with the gully pot P adjacent the spout S, and the first gripping element 18 is spaced from the gully pot P in its withdrawn position adjacent the first arm 10. The lever 32 is pivoted so that the first end of the lever 32 extends substantially horizontally, providing the maximum distance between the attached wire 28 and the pivot 19 to maximise the mechanical advantage. The wire 28 is slack as it passes over the pulley 30 provided on the handle 24.

To grip the gully pot P, tension is applied to the wire 28 as shown in Figure 9. The lever 32 rotates at its pivot 19 to force the first gripping element 18 into contact with the outer surface of the gully pot P. The first and third gripping elements 18,22, together with the obscured second gripping element 20, then grip the gully pot P allowing the gully to be lifted.

Figures 10 and 11 show a second example of a lifting device 2’ according to the present invention. The lifting device 2’ has the same three limbed configuration as the lifting device 2 previously described, and the second and third arms 12,14 and their associated gripping elements 20,22 are essentially as previously described.

The main difference with the lifting device 2’ shown in Figures 10 and 11 relates to the actuation of the first gripping element 34. The first arm 38 is connected to a body 36 of the lifting device 2’ by a pivot 40, so that the entire first arm 38 moves relative to the gully pot P during use. As before, the first arm 38 extends down one side of the gully pot P and a gripping element 34 is provided at its distal end to grip the gully pot P during a lifting operation.

The first arm 38 has a generally L shaped configuration, with an upper section 42, located above the pivot 40, which extends at an angle above the body 36. An actuator 46 is provided at the upper section 42 and is movable vertically relative to the handle 44 of the lifting device 2’ to pivot the first arm towards or away from a gully pot P as required.

Figure 10 shows the alternative lifting device 2’ in an open configuration. Similarly to what is shown in Figure 8, the lifting device 2’ is in place over an inverted gully, with the third gripping element 22 and the obscured second gripping element 20 in contact with the gully pot P adjacent the spout S. The actuator is located close to the body 36 so that the first arm 38 is pivoted away from the gully. The upper section 42 of the first arm approaches the horizontal and the first gripping element 34 is spaced from the gully pot P.

Figure 11 shows the lifting device 2’ gripping the gully pot P ready for lifting. The actuator 46 having been moved vertically upwards relative to the handle 44 to pivot the first arm 38 towards the gully so that the first gripping element 34 contacts the gully pot P. Additional holes 48 are shown in the body 36 to provide alternative pivot points for gully pots P of smaller diameter.

The invention provides a lifting device specifically designed for lifting road gullies individually. The three arms are arranged to provide contact at three spaced points around the circumference of a gully pot, preferably with one arm immediately adjacent each side of the spout of a gully. The arms can therefore access spaces that will exist between road gullies during their transportation. Simplifying the lifting of tightly packed gullies individually avoids the safety risks of lifting of multiple gullies with more general lifting tools less suited to the job.

It should be understood that the embodiments described above are merely examples, and that certain modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in a more complex variant, one or both of the second and third arms, or of the second and third gripping elements, may not be fixed and may instead move to assist with the clamping/gripping of a gully pot.

The gully lifter may also have a built in on/off device in to the handle, so that every time the device is subjected to no load the device will switch from clamping to unclamping and then back to clamping and so on.

Other aspects of the specific construction may also vary, where appropriate, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gully lifting device for lifting a road gully having a spout projecting from a front side of a generally cylindrical gully pot, the lifting device comprising first, second and third spaced apart arms, provided respectively with first second and third gripping elements for gripping the exterior surface of said gully pot, wherein each arm extends, in use, downwards from a body so that the lifting device partly surrounds the gully pot with the second and third arms extending along the front side of the gully pot adjacent either side of the spout and the first arm extending along the rear side of the gully pot diametrically opposite the spout.

2. A gully lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping elements are provided adjacent a distal end of each arm from the body.

3. A gully lifting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second and third gripping elements are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the spout of a standard road gully.

4. A gully lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the second and third gripping elements are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 500mm.

5. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein adjustment means provided on the body for adjusting the position of the first arm so that distance from the first gripping element to the second and third gripping elements can be varied.

6. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm is generally L shaped.

7. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm pivots relative to body.

8. A gully lifting device according to claim 7 wherein the adjustment means comprises two or more pivot points.

9. A gully lifting device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first arm extends laterally from body.

10. A gully lifting device according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment means comprises means for varying the extension of the first arm from the body.

11. A gully lifting device according to claim 10, wherein the first arm is received in the body.

12. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping elements are pivoted to the arms.

13. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first gripping element is provided on a lever pivotally mounted to the first arm.

14. A gully lifting device according to claim 13, wherein the lever is L shaped.

15. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second and third arms are in fixed positions relative to body.

16. A gully lifting device according to claim 15, wherein the second and third arms are provided in a single piece with a cross member which is secured to the body at right angles.

17. A gully lifting device according to claim 16, wherein the first and second arms both extend at an oblique angle to the cross member.

18. A gully lifting device according to claim 17, wherein the oblique angle is approximately 116 degrees.

19. A gully lifting device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the cross member is approximately 265mm long.

20. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping elements are angled relative to each other such that in use each gripping element contacts the gully pot at an angle that is substantially normal to its outer surface.

21. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the gripping elements comprises a rubber element.

22. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the gripping elements comprises a curved surface.

23. A gully lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the gripping elements comprises an angled surface.

24. A gully lifting device according to claim 23, wherein the gripping element is bent along an axis at an angle of approximate 160 degrees.

25. A gully lifting device substantially as herein described.