US2261013A

US2261013A - Builder's tower

Info

Publication number: US2261013A
Application number: US351340A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ola L Berby
Original assignee: CLYDE IRON WORKS
Current assignee: CLYDE IRON WORKS
Priority date: 1940-08-04
Filing date: 1940-08-04
Publication date: 1941-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 1958-10-28

Description

Ocf. 28, 1 o. L. 'BERBY BUILDER'S TOWER Filed Aug. 4, 1940 E 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 28, 1941.

O. L. BERBY BUILDER S- TOWER Filed Aug. 4, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .BUILDERS TOWER Ola L.. Berby,,Duluth, Minn, assig-nor to Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, Minn a corporation of Maine Application August 4, 1940, Serial No. 351,340

15 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in a bui-lders tower wherein it is desired to provide a simple and inexpensive tower which may be used bycontractors and the like to lift material usedin the erection of a building.

Various types of towers to accomplish the same purpose have previously been constructed.

It is usual practice to erect' an elevator frame of the desired height and to place in this vertical frame an elevator or lifton which material may be carried to the properlelevation. 'Such a tower must, however, be erected on every construction job and cannot bereadily moved.

In order to provide a portable tower attempts havebeen made to provide constructions in which the tower is mounted upon a movable base supporting the hoisting apparatus. Most of these previous constructions have been of two general types.

Certain of these towers have been providedwith a'cantilever platform mounted entirely to one side of the tower so that-wheelb-arrows, concrete-carriages and the like, may be wheeled directly onto the platform from one side thereof and removed from the other-side of the platform when elevated. This construction, however, necessitates an extremely rigidtower to support theeccentric loading. In order to simplify' the construction and provide 'a more inexpensive tower, the'base has been provided with a pair of transversely aligned guides between which a vertically slidable lift carriage is secured. With this type of construction, however, it'has been necessary toposition the supporting base at right angles to the building wall and it has been necessary to move the wheelbarrowsor cement carriages onto the base to turn them at right angles'and to force'them onto the lift. This less expensive construction is obviously disadvantageous as'the base must be turned at right angles before it can be moved .along the wall and because of the'awkward arrangement for loading the lift.

*It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an extremely inexpensive lift which may be provided with a-longitudinal frame. and which is provided with a'carriage which may be loaded directly from one side of the lift and unloaded from the other side of the same. In this construction 'a plane through the lift supporting guides extends parallel to the wall of the build -ing being built and the lift is centered between these guides. Wheelbarrows or concrete carriages may be loaded directly onto the lift by moving the same inwardly at right angles to the building wall and in elevatedpOsi-tion may be withdrawn from the lift. Thus my novel form 'of construction-has the advantages of both of the former types of construction without the inherent disadvantages previously encountered.

It is a feature of my invention 'to provide a builders tower embodying a pair of spaced lift guides which are mounted on a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supporting base. This construction provides the direct loading advantage previously related. This construction also permits quick erection and lowering of the tower through the use of the hoisting apparatus mounted upon the tower base.

.ing apparatus balances the weight of the tower projected forwardly from the base, and in this lowered position the hoist may be moved from place to, place with perfect balance. Such lowering of the tower is advantageous where guy wires or overhead wires or cables of any sort prevent the movement of the tower in erected condition.

It isa further feature of my invention to have the vertical guides spaced an equal distance apart throughout their height and to pivot 'a cross -member betweenthe upper endsof these guides on transverse pivots parallel to the pivots connecting the vertical guides'to the base.- Thus in erection or lowering of the tower the guides together with the top cross member or head and -'the base form a .parallellogram which maintains all of the parts in proper relationship through'the raising and lowering movement.

It is an object of my inventionto formthe vertical guides for the lift of tubular'members and to suspend the weight centrally between these members. The tubular supports are capable of withstanding the weight upon'the lift and my tower can be built to a considerable height without unduly straining these supporting members. Not onlydoesthe round shapeof the supports actto'better support the weight upon the lift; butalsothe supports provide efiicient guides for the lift and properly support the same without undue friction.

It is a further feature of my invention that my lift may be easily and quickly removed from its position between the vertical guides and that when in position between the guides acts to assist in preventing collapse of the tower. The vertical guides forming the tower are permitted to move in only one direction, that direction being in a vertical plane through or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. When the lift and platform are assembled between the guides they assist in holding the guides parallel and in properly spaced relation, thus actually assisting to prevent the collapse of the tower.

A further feature of my invention relates to the simple manner of supporting the tower in vertical position. The vertical guides are equipped With guy wires which are pivotally secured at points spaced later lly from the guides and on the pivotal axis of the tower supporting pivots. These guy wires therefore do not need to be disconnected before the tower is lowered and act to support the tower from lateral movement in both erected and lowered positions. The guides are further supported by brace means connected to the base which are connected to the guides in raised position. One of these brace means also forms a raising cable guide by means -of whichthe tower may be pivoted upwardly by the hoisting mechanism.

It is a feature of my invention that the base of the lift which is normally formed of heavy imaterial is permitted to drop below the level of the pivotssupporting the vertical guides. Thus when the lift is disassembled prior to lowering the top portion of the tower the lift may be removed from the base, permitting the heavy base to remain in its normal position to facilitate the dismantling operation. The base is also provided with a notch therein into which one of theguides extends in lowered position to prevent transverse movement of the lift floor or base upon the base of the tower during moving operations.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

' In the drawings forming a part of my specification':

Figure l is a perspective view of my tower in erected position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation View of my tower in partially lowered position, illustrating the tower in: fully lowered position in dotted outline.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on a transverse plane through the tower, illustrating the base of the tower in plan view.

3 Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the members forming the lift.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top cross members connecting the side members of the lift.

Figure 6 is a side elevation View of the top cross member of the lift, showing the construction thereof.

tower is erected and when it is partially erected.

Figure 11 is a section through the lower pivot of one of the vertical guides.

Figure 12 is a detail of the safety gate end.

Figure 13 is a detail of the mast splice.

Figure 14 is a section on the line I4I4 of Figure 13.

The builders tower A includes a base In, the formation of which is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The base I0 includes a pair of longitudinally extending beams II having rounded ends to permit the tower to be moved longitudinally over the surface of the ground. A front cross member I3 extends between the runners II and is welded or otherwise affixed thereto. A parallel cross member I4 also connects the runners I I at a point spaced from the cross member I3. Two parallel spaced I-beams I5 and I6 extend between the runners II near the rear ends thereof to support the hoisting unit indicated in general by the numeral IT. A platform I9 is mounted between the I-beams I5 and I6 adjacent the hoisting unit I! on which the operator of the hoist may stand. A pair of diagonally extending braces 20 are provided between the I-beam I6 and the center of the cross member I4 to hold'these elements in proper relationship and to further reinforce the base.

, A p'air'of tubular standards 2I and 22 are pivoted by transverse pivots 23 between ears such as 24 extending upwardly from the cross members I3 and I4. The pivots 23 extend through the spaced ears 24 and through a plate 25 welded to the interior of the guides 2I and 22 and projecting beyond the ends thereof. The specific detail ofthis construction is best illustrated in Figure 11 of the-drawings.

The-tubular standards 2I and 22 are connected at their upper extremity by a cross support or head 26. This head 26 is best illustrated in Figures' '6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. In the form illustrated the head includes a pair of spaced channels 21 held in spaced relation by short links of

angle iron

29, 30 and 3!. Pivots 32 and 33-extend through the channels 21 and through the upper extremities of the tubular guides 2| and 22 to pivotally secure the head to the guides.

An inverted U-shaped cable guide 33 having parallel sides 34 and flanged lower ends 35 is secured between the channels 21 at one end thereof adjacent the angle 29. A pulley 3'6 is pivoted on a transverse pivot 31 between the parallel sides 34. The cable extends over the pulley 35 and is guided thereby.

' A pair of vertically extending plates 39 extend upwardly from the channels 21 between the angles 30 and Lil and support the pivot 40 for a pulley 4|. The pulley 4| receives the cable 42 from the pulley 36 and this pulley M is arranged 'Side guides 46 best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings are attached to these end plates 45.

' The side guides for the ends of the platform 43 include a vertical channel 41 formed of a pair of angle irons having an attaching plate 49 welded to the bottom end thereof. Bolts 50 extend through the end plates 45 and through the attaching plate 49 to hold the channels 41 to the platform' 43. Braces are welded to the base of the channel at apoint spaced-from the bottom thereof and bolts 52 extend through the lower extremities of these'braces-and through the end plates --to hold the channelsl'l-"in vertical alignment. Transversel'y extending braces 53 extend between the braces 5| connecting these braces at spaced 1 intervals with the channel" 41. *The transverse braces 53 are spaced apart properly to forma ladder up which an operator may climb. 'Vertical end posts-58 support the ends of the transverse braces-53.

A pair of transversely extending arms-54 are secured in'spaced relation extending in right angles from the channel 41. A brace 55 is con- :nected atone end to thechannel 41 and atthe other end between the parallel arms-'54 to sup port the aarms' 54. A pair of openings 56 are provided in spaced relation through the arms 54 and-the spacing of the openings 56'matches the spacing'of pairs of

holes

51 or 59 inthe channels" 60. The cross member at the top of the lift is formedby the two channels 50 secured in opposed relationship and these channels may be readily lifted by the operator and bolts extended through the

openings

51 and 59 and through the openings "56 on the transversely extending arms 54 of the two side guides 45'.

A vertical support is provided adjacent the-upright-2| by a pair of-spacedangle irons"6|. A plate 62, best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings is secured to the upper surface of the braces 29 of the base by means of' bolts '63 or the like, and the angle members 6 extend vertically from this plate 62. A'pair of brackets 54 are provided onthe angle membersfil near the top end thereof and-these brackets Mare pin connected to a pair of braces whichare bolted-to the lower extremity of the braces 2|] at 66 in the manner illustrated in Figures l and '3 of the drawings.-

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the ears 61 extend upwardly from the runners or longitudinal beams to form pivotal supports for a pair of braces 69. These braces'69 are pivoted at one end at lfl to the ears 6'! and are connected'at theother end II. 'In lowered position of the tower the braces 59 extend'forwardly "from the runners and may be used as a drawbar if it is so desired In erected position of thetower "the'ends H of the braces 69 are connected to a bracket plate. 12 on the guides 22 by means of a -members" being connected together-at the top. 'of'the tripod and all of the'membersbeing secured to the base. When :the braces 59 are connected to the upright 22, a second tripod is formed, themembers being connectedtogether at the top of the tripod :and the lower endsof all of the members being securely fastened to the base Ill. p 7

On the upper extremity of the upright EM between the angles forming this .upright,'I provide apulley mounted upon a removable pin ,or bolt 19. Extending rearwardly' from the upper ends of the angles 6|,I provide plates which terminate in converging guides 8! for guidingthe .cable .42 into engagemenfwitnthe pulley '11.

This construction is for 'a purpose which will 1 later be described in detail in connection with cal'guide 22 from sidesway or movement. Guy

"'83 and the plates on the vertical guide "2| t support this guidefrom transverse movement. These guy ropes and cables '86 and 8l may remain connected even during the raising and lowering of the tower; as the lower ends of the cables are pivoted at' 89 and99. respectively,- in alignmentwith the pivots 2301. the respective vertical guides 22 and 2|. i

The hoistingunit maybe providedwitha single drum 9| with suitable controlstherefor,

and maybe driven by the engine- 92. The hoisting unit also preferably includes a winch head 93 by means of which the towerrnay be moved alongthe ground. The line or cable-42 is used both tooperate the lift and to raise' and lower the tower. Whenthe tower is in the folded form illustrated in dotted outline inFigure 2 of the drawings, 'a channel 94 secured to the top cross member channels?! rests upon the surface of the ground and sup-ports the top cross member or head in slightly raised position. The construction of the channel 94 is illustrated in Figures-l, 2, and 6 of the drawings, and' i's shown connected at its upper'e'nd to the channels 2'! and also connectedthereto by braces"95 which extend diagonally between the sides of the 'channels 94 and thechannels'Z'l. Theb'races 95 are spacedsufficiently and the channel 94' is ofsp-ropor size to permit the vertical guide 22 to move freely within the same. This channel 94 limits the downward pivoting or the masts or uprights 2| and 22, preventing distortion-or strain. This channel 94 thus provides protection for the-masts and also for the pivots 23connecting-themasts to the base. v,

When the tower is in the lOWered position shown in dotted outline in Figure 2, the cable 42 extends from the cable drum 9| over the to'pof the pulley 11} between the i-shaped bracket 33 and the pulley 35 on the head 26,;over the pulley 4| and is dead-ended to a plate 9l on theouter surface ,of the vertical guide 2|. -In order to becomes more and more erect, the cable :42 pulls away from the pulley Tl, as it, of course, then assumes a straight line pull between thepulley 36 and the drum' 9 The erection continues until the plate 14 is pulled between the fixed plates 15 on the upright standard 6 whereupon thetower is held in this position by means of the: cable used in-conjunction'theretween the cross members IS and l4. With the upright guides 2| and 22 held in positionby the hoisting unit |"|,-theside guides (raresecured to the platform 43. The. side: guides =46 are of such a'weight that theymay ordinarily be himdled by a single-man or byt'wo men workingin conjunction. The bolts 50 secure the. channel 41 in upright position, and the braces5| are secured by the bolts 52 to the end plates 45 on the platform 43. When the eight necessary bolts have been secured, the channels 60 are lifted into place.

The channels 60 are spaced from the platform 43 such a distance that a workman can lift these channels into place while standing upon the platform 43. Bolts are then inserted through the

holes

51 and 59 of the channel 60 and through the corresponding holes 56 in the arms 54 to secure the two channels in spaced relation between the channels 41 in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings.

When the cross member formed by the channels 60 is in place, a workman can climb up upon:

this cross member and insert a pin connection between the plate I5 and the plate I4 on the vertical support 2I. This pin I6 holds the upright guide 2I securely to the tripod formed by the vertical members BI and the braces 65. The

braces 69 may then be pivoted up into engagement with the plate I2 and a pin "I3 may be inserted between the upper extremity of the braces 69 and the plate I2 to hold the upright 22 erect.

The cable 42 may then be released by the hoist-.

ing unit II and the pin 99 may be removed which holds the cable 42 to the bracket plate 91'. The end of the cable 42 is then inserted between the channels 60 and a pin I may be extended through the loop on the end of the cable 42 to secure the cable to the channel 60 and accordingly to the lift.

While the workman is standing upon the channel 60, the pin I9 holding the pulley II in place is removed and the cable 42 is placed between this pulley TI and the vertical support 2i. Thus the cable is directed beneath the pulley I! up over the pulley 35 and over the pulley 4| before being connected to the lift.

When the tower has been fully erected and the lift assembled, the lift may be raised and lowered by means of the hoisting unit II. As will be apparent from the drawings, the base I0 extends with its longitudinal axis parallel to the wall of the building being constructed and wheelbarrows or concrete carriages may be wheeled onto this platform. By wheeling the wheelbarrows or the like directly toward the building wall, they may be rolled onto the platform 43.

When the wheelbarrows are in place, the hoist may be lifted to the proper elevation, and the wheelbarrows may then be removed from the opposite side of the hoist which is adjacent the building wall. Obviously, there is no difficulty in moving the wheelbarrows and the like onto or off the lift, and the lift is centered between the vertical guides, making the construction extremely strong.

Under some circumstances, it is desirable to provide a guide railing which may be automati cally engaged along the outer edge of the ele vator cage to protect the workmen unloading the cage in elevated position. It is of course necessary to remove such a railing in lowered position of the cage in order to permit loading of the cage from the side away from the building. In order to accomplish the desired result, I provide a pair of substantially U-shaped brackets IIII having flared upper extremities I02 to support the railing indicated in general by the numeral I03. The brackets IOI are secured to the vertical end posts 58 connecting the cross braces 83 of the elevator cage side members 46. These U-shaped brackets IOI are designed to receive a pair of cross bars I05 forming a part of the railing I03 to support this railing in position to close the outer edge of the elevator cage. Obviously the brackets IOI may be secured at either end of the side guides 46 so that the railing I03 may be attached to either side of the elevator cage.

In order to automatically remove the protective railing I03 as the elevator cage moves toward its lowermost position, I provide a pair of braces I0'I secured to the outer surfaces of the vertical masts 2| and 22. U-shaped brackets I09 having flared upper ends IIO are supported at the outer extremities of these braces I01. As the elevator cage moves upwardly, the brackets IIII engage the cross'bars I05 inwardly of the brackets I09, and lift the railing I03 out of engagement with the brackets I09, the railing then being attached to the 'elevator cage to form a protective guard for the outer edge of the same. A sloping surface formed by the cams I 08 acts 0 to center the railing with the brackets I M. As the elevator cage lowers, however, the cross members I05 again engage in the brackets I09, and these brackets prevent the railing I03 from lowering further with the cage, thus holding the railing suspended in air to permit free loading of the elevator cage. A sloping surface formed by the bent ends II4 of the lower bar I05 centers the railing with the brackets I09.

The railing may be of any desired type and is illustrated with two cross bars I05 which are engagable in the brackets IOI and I 09 and a parallel toeboard II I. The cross members I05 and the toeboard III are connected by side frame members H2 and a central frame member H3.

The masts may be spliced in the manner best illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings. As shown in these figures, the lower section II5 of each mast or support such as 2| or 22 is slotted at IIB adjacent its upper end. Lugs III and H9 are welded to the section II5 on opposite sides of the slot H6, and bolts I20 extend through the lugs I I1 and I I9 to clamp the portion of the pipe on opposite sides of the slot II6 together.

A short length of pipe IZI is welded within the upper section I22 of the mast, to project downwardly therefrom. This welding is accomplished by cutting holes I23 in the pipe I22, and welding through these holes. The projecting portion of the pipe I2I extends into the upper end of the lower section H5, and is clamped in place by the bolts I20.

When the lift is in lowered position the hoist may be readily moved along the surface of the ground without pivoting the tower into folded position. I have found that my tower may be moved over ground which is quite rough without danger of tipping or tilting because of the low center of gravity of my device when the lift is in lowered position. If, however, it is necessary to avoid guy wires or overhead obstructions, the lift may be easily taken apart and the tower may be folded down into the dotted outline position of Figure 2 in an extremely short space of time. Tests have shown that my builders tower may be completely erected or lowered in ten to fifteen minutes time.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my builders tower; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my 7 invention and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claimswithout departingv from the spirit of any invention.

-I claim: 3 r I I A builders tower comprising a base, apair of spaced guides extending. upwardly from said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said guides, parallel pivots connecting said cross member to, saidguides and connecting said guides to said base to form aparallelogram, an elevator. supported by said guides including a platform which may be lowered below the level of said guides and below the level of said pivots connecting said guides to said base, and removable engaging means on said platform. i

- of said vertical guide members, an elevator supportedbyand vertically slidable with respect to ,said guides, parallel pivots connecting said vertical guides to said base and to said cross member, and guy members secured to. said vertical guides-at a point spaced from theibottom thereof connected to said .base coaxially. with said pivots connecting said guides to-said base.

7., A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair. of .verticallyextending longitudinalfly spaced guide members extending upwardly fromsaid base, a cross member connecting the ,upper extremities of said guides, parallel pivots connecting said cross member to .said vertical 2. A builders tower comprising an elongated movably secured to said platform, a hoist on 7 said base near the other end thereof, and means connecting said hoist to said elevator platform. 3. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of vertical guides extending upwardly in longitudinally spaced relation from said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said guides, parallel transversely extending pivots connecting said cross member to said guides and said guides to said base to form a parallelogram, a vertical support projecting upwardly from said base adjacent one of said vertical guides and detachably connected thereto, a hoisting mechanism on said base, a Vertically reciprocable elevator between said guides, and cable means connecting said elevator to said hoisting mechanism by means of which said elevator may be raised and lowered.

4. .A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of vertical guides extending upwardly in longitudinally spaced relation from said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremity of said vertical guides, parallel pivots connecting said cross member to said guides and connecting said guides to said base, a vertical support extending upwardly from said base adjacent one of said guides, a pulley on said vertical support, pulley means on said cross member, a hoist on said base, and cable means extending over said pulley on said vertical support over said pulleys on said cross member and extending between said guides, and a vertically movable elevator connected to said cable between said guides.

5. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of vertical guides extending upwardly in longitudinally spaced relationship from said base, brace means connecting said base to said vertical guides at a point spaced from the bottom thereof, a hoisting unit on said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said guides, an elevator vertically slidably supported between said guides, and means connecting said hoist to said elevator to raise and lower the elevator by said hoist.

6. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of longitudinally spaced vertically extending guide members projecting upwardly from said base, transverse pivot means connecting said vertical guide members to said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities guides and connecting said guidesfto said base to form a parallelogram, an elevator between said guides and movable to aposition below said pivotsconnectingsaid guides to said base, slides on said platform engageable with said vertical guides removably connected to said platform, an

, upwardly extending end plate on said platform having a .notch therein into which one of said vertical guides may extend when said guides are ,pivoted downwardly with respect to said base.

8. A builders tower comprising a base, a pair of 'verticallyextending guides secured in spaced .relation upon said base, brace means connecting saidvertical guides to said base, an elevator ver- 'tically slidable between 'jsaidguides, said elevator including a platform, removable sides secured thereto engageable with said vertical guides and cross members connecting said removable sides to hold said sides in engagement with said guides, a hoisting mechanism on said base, and means connecting said hoisting mechanism with said elevator to raise and lower said elevator by said hoisting mechanism.

9. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of standards pivotally secured in spaced relation to said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said standards, parallel pivot means connecting said cross member to said standards ad connecting said standards to said base to form a parallelogram, a cable guide support projecting upwardly from said base adjacent one of said standards, means removably connecting said one standard to said cable guide support, a hoisting unit and an elevator between said standards and flexible cable means connected to said hoisting unit guided by said cable guide means and connected to said elevator to raise and lower said elevator by means of said hoisting unit.

10. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of standards extending vertically in spaced relation from said base, a vertically movable elevator supported between said standards, said elevator including a platform, sides secured to said platform engageable with said standards, means connecting said sides to hold said sides in engagement with said standards, cross brace means on said sides forming a ladder con-v struction, a hoisting unit on said base, and means connecting said hoisting unit with said elevator to raise and lower said elevator with said hoisting unit.

11. A builders tower comprising a base, a pair of standards projecting upwardly from said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said standards, parallel pivots connecting said cross member to said standards, and connecting ,said standards to said base to form a parallelovator to raise and lower said elevator by said hoisting unit, and a right-angular brace secured to said cross member to limit pivotal movement between said cross member and said vertical standards in one direction.

12. A builders tower comprising an elongated base, a pair of longitudinally spaced vertical standards projecting upwardly from said base, a cross member connecting the upper extremities of said standards, parallel pivots connecting said cross member to said standards and connecting said standards to said base, an elevator removably positioned between said standards, a hoisting unit on said base, an upwardly projecting cable guide secured to said base, a pulley supported by said upwardly projecting support in alignment with said vertical standards, and brace means removably supporting said standards in vertically extending position.

13. A builders tower comprising a vertically extending mast, a base to which said mast is secured, an elevator cage vertically movable on said mast, a removable railing on one edge of said cage, substantially U-shaped brackets supporting said railing in place on said cage, and a pair of brackets extending in the path of said railing to engage said railing as said cage lowers to remove said railing from operative position with respect to said cage.

14.-A builders tower comprising an elongated base frame, a pair of spaced vertical guides pivotally connected to said frame, said guides being positioned ona vertical plane through the base and through or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said base frame, a head pivotally connecting the upper extremities of said guides, said guides being pivotally movable in said vertical plane, an elevator cage supported by said guides, a hoisting unit secured to said base, and flexibleconnecting means connecting said hoisting unit to said elevator cage, whereby said elevator cage may be vertically reciprocated by said hoisting unit.

15. A builders tower comprising an elongated base frame; a hoisting mechanism thereupon, a pair of vertical guides secured in longitudinally spaced relation on said base frame,,transversely extending pivots connecting said vertical guides to said'base frame whereby said guides may be pivoted I toward horizontal ,position maintaining parallel relationship, an elevator cage between said guides and engaging opposed inner surfaces thereof, and flexible means connecting said elevator cage between said vertical guides.

OLA L. BERBY.