WO2015044855A1

WO2015044855A1 - Equipment for moving rubble and miscellaneous objects during building work

Info

Publication number: WO2015044855A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064731
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto SICILIANO
Original assignee: Cmm Di Siciliano Roberto
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: EP3049353A1; ITMI20131589A1

Abstract

Equipment (1) comprising: a bucket-shaped container (2) and a supporting device (3) suitable to sustain the bucket-shaped container (2) and comprising a base portion (6) and side portions (7) made of a flexible material and suitable to wrap at least partially around the bucket-shaped container (2) and engageable with a hook (4), the bucket-shaped container (2) being of the type known as a "rubble container" and having through holes (5a) through which the side portions (7) are passed.

Description

DESC RI PTION

EQUIPMENT FOR MOVING RUBBLE AND MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS DURING BUILDING WORK

The present invention relates to equipment for moving rubble and miscellaneous objects during building work, of the type as recited in the preamble of the independent claims.

In particular it relates to equipment comprising a bucket-shaped container that is moved using a crane or other device provided with a hook or similar element.

More in particular it relates to equipment in which the container is of the type known as a "rubbish skip" or "rubble container".

As is known, in the building sector and in particular in the field of renovation of buildings and houses, widespread use is made of bucket-shaped containers that are open at the top and suitable to hold a significant volume of objects or rubble. Among such bucket-shaped containers, widespread use is made of specific containers known as "rubbish skips" or "rubble containers" which are generally square-shaped and provided with handles - in correspondence with their edges - to facilitate the manual movement thereof.

Such skips or containers are made of plastic material and are capable of transporting rubble and miscellaneous objects with an overall weight of several tens of kilograms. They are preferably square-shaped, which means they can be arranged alongside one another without wasting any space. Importantly, they have a flared shape, which facilitates stacking when not in use.

Due to their rigidity and robustness, the fact that they can easily be gripped, thanks to the handles, and also the fact that they can be stacked or arranged side by side without wasting space, rubble containers are widely used, they are substantially standard and can advantageously replace other containers when there is a need to transport solid and highly irregular objects such as rubble or other objects.

The movement of all bucket-shaped containers, and in particular rubble containers, frequently involves a vertical translation of the container, for instance to lower it or unload the rubble.

Such movement is performed using cranes or hoists or winches or pulleys or similar equipment with a cable or chain ending in a hook or similar device.

However, the hook cannot be fitted directly to the bucket-shaped containers, or in particular to the rubble containers, which are free and open at the top, to allow them to be filled and emptied without any obstructions.

There is therefore the need for a specific supporting device, which on one side engages with a bucket-shaped container and on the other can be engaged by said hook.

In many cases this supporting device consists of a base platform or metal sheet on which a bucket-shaped container and in particular a rubble container can be placed, and chains or tie rods which extend from the edges of the platform and the tops of which can be engaged with said hook.

The base platform is relatively large, so as to easily accommodate the bucket- shaped containers and there are usually four chains or tie rods, so as to substantially surround the bucket-shaped container placed on the platform and prevent it from falling or overturning while it is being moved vertically.

In other cases the supporting device consists of a very heavy metal box which is open at the top, provided with a column-shaped hook coupling member which rises centrally from the bottom of the box. Two or more rubble containers can be inserted at the sides of this central column-shaped coupling member.

In other cases the supporting device is a metal case similar to a large metal pan. In yet other cases complex metal frames are provided to hook one or more rubble containers at the same time.

The prior art solution described above has several significant drawbacks.

A first drawback lies in the cost of the supporting device, the structure of which is relatively complex, since it is formed of numerous elements joined together by means of hooks and/or welding.

A second drawback is associated with the weight of the supporting device and its overall dimensions: it is a metal structure the base of which must be able to accommodate and support one or more bucket-shaped containers that have been filled to the brim.

In practice, the notable weight and the cost of the supporting device cancel out the advantages associated with the possibility of preferably using plastic rubble containers, which are lighter and more economical.

A further and particularly important drawback lies in the fact that when the equipment - complete with the supporting device and bucket-shaped container - is in the raised position, the bucket-shaped container might not be held still and could oscillate with the risk of material falling out.

In the case of the supporting device consisting of a platform with cables or chains at the side, the bucket-shaped container might tend to oscillate owing to the fact that the cables or chains are at a distance from it.

In the case of the box-type supporting device, the bucket-shaped containers arranged at the sides of the central column-shaped coupling member could be filled in very different ways, with subsequent loss of balance and tilting of the box holding them.

Instability and loss of balance are also a possibility in the case of complex metal structures capable of hooking several containers at the same time.

There is also a greater possibility of some objects or rubble falling when the bucket-shaped containers are full to the brim and Substantially overflowing.

In this situation the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment able to substantially overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.

Within the scope of said technical purpose an aim of the invention is to devise a piece of equipment in which the supporting device is light and strong and can advantageously be used with bucket-shaped containers, in particular with the bucket-shaped containers known as "rubble containers".

Another aim of the invention is to devise a piece of equipment that is simple and inexpensive and can be used easily by the operator.

A further important aim is to devise a piece of equipment that is safe and able to engage a bucket-shaped container without any clearance or oscillation during the vertical movement thereof.

No less important is the aim of ensuring that no material falls out even when the bucket-shaped container is full to the brim.

Said technical purpose and the specified aims are achieved with the equipment for moving rubble and miscellaneous objects during building work as claimed in the appended independent claims.

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clearly evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the equipment as a whole and adjacent to it a hook for the vertical movement thereof; and

- Fig. 2 is an exploded and perspective view of the elements that make up the equipment.

With reference to the drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes the equipment according to the invention.

It substantially comprises two main elements: a bucket-shaped container 2 and a supporting device 3 suitable to sustain the bucket-shaped container 2 and to be engaged by a hook 4 or similar element to move the entire equipment 1 vertically. The bucket-shaped container 2 is preferably but not necessarily of the type known as a "container" or "rubble container" or "rubbish skip".

As shown in the figures, the container has a preferably square shape and is made of a plastic material, for example PVC, capable of transporting rubble and miscellaneous objects with a maximum weight in the region of around 40 - 60 kg. It has a volume of at least 40 litres and is produced in a range of load capacities, to suit specific needs. The upper edges 2a are prevalently square in shape and the sides measure at least 40 cm. The shape is the same from the top to the bottom until defining an underside 2b.

However, the shape is flared and gradually becomes narrower between the upper edges 2a and the underside 2b.

This specific bucket-shaped container 2 has, as described previously, handles 5 which may be variously structured.

Among all the containers available, those preferably and advantageously chosen for the equipment according to the invention are those in which the handles define holes 5a which are substantially through holes, through which the hands can pass. In the technical solution illustrated in the drawings, the container is provided with gripping elements 5 which consist of two handles delimiting through holes 5a, diametrically spaced and emerging from the upper edges 2a, appropriately thickened.

According to an alternative embodiment the through holes 5a may be directly cut into the side surface of the container. There may even be four through holes 5a, one on each side of the container.

The supporting device 3, suitable to sustain a bucket-shaped container 2 in general and a rubble container in particular, specifically provided with through holes 5a, is advantageously and innovatively at least mainly made of a flexible material, chosen from among rolled plastic, plaited plastic, synthetic textile fibre, plaited polyamide (commonly referred to as nylon), natural textile fibre.

Preferably the flexible material is jute or synthetic jute.

The supporting device 3 also comprises a base portion 6 made entirely of a flexible material and four and preferably two side portions 7 made entirely of flexible material, suitable to wrap around the bucket-shaped container 2.

In detail the flexible material is the same in the base portion 6 and in the side portions 7 and moreover the supporting device 3 is preferably substantially made as a single piece.

As shown in the drawings, the base portion 6 is tray-shaped and wraps around the underside 2b of the bucket-shaped container 2.

The side portions 7 have a widened first end or lower end 7a integral with the base portion 6 and a tapered second end or upper end 7b ending at the top in correspondence with the hook 4.

The second ends 7b of the side portions 7 are provided with hooking means 8, for example consisting of slotted sections.

In the case of the supporting device 3 made of synthetic jute the slotted sections defining the hooking means 8 are sewn and appropriate seams may be arranged along the entire supporting device 3, for example to shape the latter or to create hems at the free ends of the fibres.

An advantage of the equipment 1 according to the invention consists of the fact that not only does it sustain and partially wrap around the rubble container by means of the supporting device 3, but it also blocks the container by means of the engagement of the handles 5, said engagement occurring selectively with the side portions 7.

In particular, with the choice of a rubble container in which the handles 5 define through holes 5a, adjacent side portions 7 pass through said through holes 5a, when the container is being moved. The side portions 7 are narrow and substantially in the form of a belt, so that they can be easily inserted into the through holes 5a.

The functioning and use of the equipment described above in a structural sense are as follows.

Whenever a bucket-shaped container 2 needs to be moved vertically, it is placed inside a supporting device 3.

This operation is easy to perform, in that the bucket-shaped underside 2b substantially fits perfectly into the base portion 6.

Then the side portions 7 can be raised, to engage their upper ends 7b and/or the hooking means 8 with the hook 4.

Advantageously, before hooking, the second ends or upper ends 7b are made to pass through the through holes 5a to make the engagement between the container and the supporting device completely safe, reliable and stable.

After use, the supporting device 3 can be detached immediately from the container.

All these operations are simple and intuitive and can also be performed by personnel with no specific training.

The invention achieves the purposes described previously and brings some important advantages.

The supporting device 3 is light, economical and immediately ready for use. Nonetheless, it is capable of supporting the bucket-shaped container 2 in a stable manner and of preventing said bucket-shaped container from oscillating or slipping against the supporting device.

Moreover, the side portions 7 contain objects and rubble preventing them from falling or being lost when the containers 2 are full to the brim or substantially overfilled.

The supporting device 3 may also be folded up and stored in a small space. Overall the equipment 1 is simple, reliable and can be mass produced at little expense and takes up little space.

Modifications and variations may be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as expressed in the independent and dependent claims.

For example, the container may have two or four through holes 5a and the supporting device 3 may have two or four side portions 7.

The bucket-shaped containers 2 may have different shapes, for example they could be round and in practice consist of tubular containers with a round cross- section. Different materials could be used, or materials of different thicknesses. The use of synthetic jute permits the parts to be sewn together and hemmed.

Portions or reinforcements in the form of belts or strips, for example made of leather, are also possible.

Ail the elements as described herein may be replaced with equivalent elements and the scope of the invention as claimed in the independent and dependent claims includes all other shapes and dimensions.

Claims

C LA I MS

1. Equipment (1) for moving rubble and miscellaneous objects during building work, of the type comprising: a bucket-shaped container (2) and a supporting device (3) suitable to sustain said bucket-shaped container (2) and to be engaged by a hook (4); said equipment (1) being characterized in that said supporting device (3) comprises:

- a base portion (6) made of a flexible material and side portions (7) made of a flexible material suitable to wrap at least partially around said bucket-shaped container (2); said side portions (7) having a first end (7a) which is integral with said base portion (6) and a second end (7b) that is engageable with said hook (4).

2. The equipment (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said flexible material is chosen from among rolled plastic, strips of plastic and leather, plaited plastic, synthetic textile fibre, plaited polyamide, natural textile fibre.

3. The equipment (1) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said flexible material is synthetic jute.

4. The equipment (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting device (3) is substantially made as a single piece.

5. The equipment (1) as claimed in one of more of the preceding claims, wherein said base portion (6) is tray-shaped and wraps around an underside (2b) of said bucket-shaped container (2).

6. The equipment (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first end (7a) of said side portions is widened and said second end (7b) is connected to hooking means (8) obtained by means of a slotted section of said second end (7b).

7. The equipment (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said bucket-shaped container (2) is provided with handles (5) suitable to be gripped to provide manual support, and wherein said handles (5) are selectively engaged by said side portions (7) of said supporting device (3).

8. The equipment (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said bucket-shaped container (2) is of the type known as a "rubble container".

9. Equipment (1) for moving rubble and miscellaneous objects during building work, of the type comprising: a bucket-shaped container (2) and a supporting device (3) suitable to support said bucket-shaped container (2) and to be engaged by a hook (4); said equipment (1) being characterized in that:

- said bucket-shaped container (2) is of the type known as a "rubble container" and has handles (5) which form through holes (5a);

- in that said supporting device (3) comprises a base portion (6) made of a flexible material and side portions (7) made of a flexible material suitable to wrap at least partially around said bucket-shaped container (2); said side portions (7) having a first end (7a) which is integral with said base portion (6) and a second end (7b) that is engageable with said hook (5).

- and in that said side portions (7) are selectively engageable with said through holes (5a) by passing through them.

10. The equipment (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said bucket-shaped container (2) is provided with two of said through holes (5a) arranged at a distance from one another and wherein said supporting device (3) comprises two of said side portions (7) arranged at a distance from one another and suitable to pass through said through holes (5a).