GB2237794A - Device for lifting skips - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for lifting skips having upwardly and outwardly diverging end walls, said device comprising connection means (2) for location over lifting means of a crane or like lifting apparatus and having extending therefrom lifting means comprising tie rods or the like or lifting cables, ropes or chains (3) which are connected at their ends remote from the connection means to a rectangularly disposed or rectangularly disposable skip-encircling means (15) (such as a rectangular frame, or rigid end cross beams interconnected by chains or cables, or a rectangular/rectangularly disposed chain, rope or cable arrangement); wherein said skip-encircling means (5) is selected to be of a size relative to the general range of skips with which the device is to be used such that said skip-encircling means may be raised upwardly with the skip bottom disposed inwardly thereof so as to engage the outwardly diverging end walls of the skip to permit lifting of the skip in a stable manner. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR LIFTING SKIPS.

The present invention relates to a device for lifting rubbish or waste skips to high levels such as to the top of buildings or over building sites.

Hithereto, skips have been lifted by chains attached to the side lugs or by cross beams under the bottom of the skip with lifting chains connected thereto and to a lifting ring and also being connected to the skip lugs for security. Such arrangements are not entirely acceptable from a safety point of view since the reliance of the lifting lugs may prove a weakness.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for lifting skips which has increased security and safety.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for lifting rubbish skips having upwardly and outwardly diverging end walls, said device comprising connection means for location over lifting means of a crane or like lifting apparatus and having extending therefrom lifting means comprising tie rods or bars or the like or lifting cables, ropes or chains, which are connected at their ends remote from the connection means to a rectangularly disposed or rectangularly disposable skip-encircling means (such as a rectangular frame, or rigid end cross beams interconnected by chains or cables, or a rectangular/rectangularly disposable chain, rope or cable arrangement); wherein said skip-encircling means is selected to be of a size relative to the skip or general range of skips with which the device is to be used such that said skip-encircling means may be raised upwardly with the skip bottom disposed inwardly thereof so as to engage the outwardly diverging end walls of the skip to permit lifting of the skip in a stable manner.

Whilst reference is made to engagement with the sloping ends as being the lifting regions for the skip-encircling means it is also possible for an outwardly projecting rim or projection to function as such but only if sufficiently strong.

The connection means will preferably comprise a strong metal ring known for lifting purposes, and to which are preferably connected four chains connected at their ends remote from the ring to the skip encircling means possibly via lifting eyes. When the whole device (apart from possibly the lifting ring) is of cable, rope or chain (or the like) the four chains may in fact be two chains with each chain also integrally forming the inclined end wall engaging portion of the skip encircling means which is completed by two interconnecting chains or like restrainer means at each side.

Instead of the preferred four cables, ropes or chains as lifting means, alternative arrangements may be proposed e.g. a single chain or like joined with another chain in the form of an inverted Y.

The skip encircling means may comprise a rectangular metal frame e.g. of box section, with spaced apart eyes at each side for connection of lifting chains or like.

Alternatively, the skip encircling means may comprise end cross bars or beams to engage the sloping end walls and having eyes to which the lifting chains or like are connected and which cross beams are interconnected at each end by retention chain or like means. Alternatively, the whole device, possibly apart from the lifting ring, may be of chain or like. The skip encircling means may be provided in sections which may be secured together to facilitate positioning under the inclined end walls.

An additional chain, rope or wire may be provided to extend under the skip for additional safety.

It will be appreciated that the utilization of means to engage the outwardly inclined or sloping end walls as the main lifting point is a very important aspect of the invention.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting device forming a first embodiment of the invention with lifting chains and a rectangular metal frame forming the skip encircling and lifting means; Fig. 2 is a can of the skip encircling and lifting frame of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail on enlarged scale of the corner interconnection of the frame of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lifting device forming an alternative embodiment wherein end cross bars interconnected by two side chains form the skipencircling and lifting means; and Fig.4 is a modification; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment where the whole device apart from the lifting ring is of chain.

The construction of the various embodiments will be apparent from the description in the drawings and the following description.

The lifting device I illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 is referred to as the "Universal Skip Lifter Mark I" and is preferably designed to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work act 1974 for the safe and positive lifting of standard lorry skips when used on building sites to lift skips from ground level to the top of buildings or for general lifting over building sites.

The device 1 comprises a lifting ring 2 having the ends of four lifting chains 3 secured thereto. The other ends of chains 3 are secured to lifting eyes 4 fixed to a rectangular lifting frame 5 of hollow metal box section. The lifting frame 5 forms an encircling means for a rubbish or like skip 6 of known type having inclined end walls 6'.

The frame 5 is dimensioned with respect to the size of skip with which it is to be used so that when the skip 6 is placed therein and the frame 5 raised the transverse ends 5' of frame 5 engage with the end walls 6' in stable manner.

The "Universal Skip Lifter Mark I" is manufactured to fit all standard lorry skips. It is simple to use and safe and positive in application. The frame 5 is placed on even ground and the base of the skip 6 positioned inside. A four leg chain sling 3 is then placed over the skip and located on to the special lifting eyes on the frame. Once the chain sling 3 has been located on the frame 5 it is hooked onto the site crane hook (not shown) and gently lifted until it secures and positions itself on the angled slope of the skip ends 6'. The skip 6 is then entirely captive within the lifting frame 5 and can then be lifted to any required level.

The safe working load of the Universal Skip Lifter device 1 may be 12 tons and proof tested to 15 tons. It is clearly marked with the Safe Working Load but should only be used for skip lifting because the frame essentially uses the structure of the skip for support.

The lifting device 7 illustrated in Fig. 4 named the "Universal Skip Lifter Mark II" is preferably designed to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for the safe and positive lifting of standard lorry skips 6 when used on building sites to lift skips 6 from ground level to the top of buildings or for general lifting over building sites. It is considered that the previous ways of lifting from the standard side lugs are unsafe.

The device 7 comprises a lifting ring or eye B to which the ends of four lifting chains 9 are connected.

The other ends of chains 9 are connected to spaced apart lifting eyes 10' on round section steel end bar 10 forming part of the skip encircling means which is completed by retention chains 11 interconnecting the bars 10. The bars 10 engage the inclined end walls 6' in stable manner on lifting.

The "Universal Skip Lifter Mark II" device 7 is manufactured to generally fit all standard lorry skips 6.

It is simple to use and safe and positive in application.

The total assembly device 7 is connected together as shown in the drawing. It is placed over the skip 6 and connected to the site crane hook (not shown). Carefully lifted the round section steel bar 10 as lifting beams lock onto the angled slOpe 6' of the skip 6 and are prevented to go further by the lOmm dia. retention chains 11. Once locked into position the skip 6 is totally captive and safe to lift to any required level.

The Safe Working Load of the Universal Skip Lifter may be 12 tons and proof tested to 15 tons. It is clearly marked with the Safe Working Load but should only be used for skip lifting because the frame essentially uses the structure of the skip for support.

The lifting device 12 of Fig. 5 is also named the "Universal Skip Lifter Mark III" and is preferably designed to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for the safe and positive lifting of standard lorry skips when used on building sites to lift skips from ground level to the top of buildings or for general lifting over building sites. It is considered that the previous way of lifting from the standard side lugs (not shown) is unsafe.

The device 12 of Fig. 5 is made totally of chains apart from lifting eye or ring 13. The device 12 comprises two chains 13, 14 connected at their ends to ring 13 and each in use assuming a generally triangular arrangement on inclined planes. The chains 13, 14 are interconnected by side chains 15, 16 which together with the lower and base portions of the triangles formed by chains 13, 14 form the skip encircling means with the portion 13', 14' forming the bases of the triangles and the engaging portions of the inclined end walls 6' of skip 6. It will be appreciated that the chains 13, 14 also form the lifting means.

In all the embodiments suitable connection means such as shackles or splices or eyes of known type can be used.

The Universal Skip Lifter Mark III device 12 is manufactured to fit all standard lorry skips 6. It is simple to use and safe and positive in application. The Skip Lifter (4 Leg Double Basket Chain Sling) device 12 is placed around the skip 6, complete with retaining chains 15, 16 and carefully lifted until the chains 13', 14' locate on the sloped angled ends 6'of the skip 6. Once located the preventer chains 15, 16 will restrain the double basket chain slings 13, 14 from going further. The skip 6 is then completely captive within the chain sling and safe to lift to any required level.

The Safe Working Load of the Skip Lifter device 12 is preferably 12 tons and Proof Tested to 15 tons.

In Figs. 4A which is a modification of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 and comprises lifting device 7 for a skip 6R and has lifting ring B to which four chains 9 are connected at one end and which are connected at their other end to rectangular section steel end bars 10R having apertured connecting lugs 10P at each end for connection of the chains 9 and of a retention chain 11 are at each side (only one shown).

The main difference in this device resides in the provision of at least one and preferably two interconnecting means (17) which extend under the skip 6P and interconnect retention chains 11 and additionally support skip 6S. In this embodiment the interconnecting means comprise two webbing slings 17 with end loops extending over retention side chains 11 as a bottom support. Other means such as rope or chain may be provided instead. A safety lock 1B is provided on at least one lateral side chain to facilitate location of the device around the skip. Other means such as a shackle may be provided instead.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example rods or bars pivotally mounted may be provided instead of chains.

Claims (16)

1. A device for lifting skips having upwardly and outwardly diverging end walls, said device comprising connection means for location over lifting means of a crane or like lifting apparatus and having extending therefrom lifting means comprising tie rods or the like or lifting cables, ropes or chains which are connected at their ends remote from the connection means to a rectangularly disposed or rectangularly disposable skip-encircling means (such as a rectangular frame, or rigid end cross beams interconnected by chains or cables, or a rectangular/rectangularly disposable chain, rope or cable arrangement); wherein said skip-encircling means is selected to be of a size relative to the general range of skips with which the device is to be used such that said skip-encircling means may be raised upwardly with the skip bottom disposed inwardly thereof so as to engage the outwardly diverging end walls of the skip to permit liftino of the skip in a stable manner.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the connection means comprises a strong metal ring known for lifting purposes, and to which the lifting means are connected, preferably at their ends remote from the ring, to the skip encircling means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the lifting means are connected to the encircling means at four ends remote from the connection means.

4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which four lifting means are provided.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the lifting means are connected to the encircling means via lifting eyes.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the lifting means and encircling means is made of cable, rope or chain.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 or in claim 5 or 6 in which the lifting means comprise two chains, ropes or cables with each chain also integrally forming the inclined end-wall-engaging portion of the skip encircling means which is completed by two interconnecting chains or like restraining means at each side.

B. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 3 or in claim 5 or 6 in which the lifting means comprise a single cable, rope or chain joined with another chain in the form of an inverted V.

9 9. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the skip encircling means comprises a rectangular metal frame.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 in which the frame has spaced apart eyes at each side for connection of lifting cables, ropes, chains or the like.

11. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the skip encircling means comprises end cross bars or beams for engaging the sloping end walls and having eyes to which the lifting cables, ropes or chains are connected and which cross beams are interconnected at each end by retention means such as rope, cable, chain or like means.

12. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which instead of the encircling means for engagement with the sloping ends, the encircling means are for engaging the outwardly projecting rim or projection for lifting if such is sufficiently strong.

13. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 in which an additional bottom support means in the form of a chain, rope, cable, belt or webbing is provided to extend under the skip.

14. A device es claimed in claim 13, in which the additional,skip bottom support means is connected between opposite sides of the skip-encircling means.

15. n device as claimed in claim 14, in which the additional, skip bottom support means comprise at least one belt or webbing sling connected at each end to opposite lateral sides of the skip encircling means.

16. A device for lifting skips substantially as herein described with reference to any of the embodiments of the accompanying drawings.