GB2552707A

GB2552707A - Lifting system

Info

Publication number: GB2552707A
Application number: GB1613479.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Critchley Garry
Original assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP; Conquip Eng Group
Current assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP; Conquip Eng Group
Priority date: 2016-08-04
Filing date: 2016-08-04
Publication date: 2018-02-07

Abstract

The system 100 has a lifting frame 102, extending around a materials support apparatus 104, having a two engaging means 120,122 on different sides of the frame, both engage with an operating means 126,418 which rotates them to an engaged position. The operating means may be levers coupled at mid-points of opposing sides of the lifting frame. The engaging means may be sets of lugs or hooks 402,410 which are spaced along two shafts 400,408, a first radial arm 412 connects centrally to the end of the first shaft 408, a first end of a second radial arm 404 connects to the end of the second shaft 400, with a rod 306 extending from an end of the first radial arm 412 to one of the levers 126, and a second rod 308 extending between a second end of the second radial arm 404 and an end of the first radial arm 412; a complementary mirrored configuration may be present at opposing ends of the shafts with the second lever 418. A removable key (fig.17) with elongate members may be coupled with slots and holes in the radial arms. Preferably, the lifting frame has upper and lower sections 106,108 connected solely by flexible mesh (fig.15); telescopic members; or collapsible hinged members (fig.16). Preferably, the materials support apparatus is a pallet with channels along the edges which are engaged by the lifting frame; it may also have wheels and a handle to form a maneuverable truck.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Conquip Engineering Group

Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook Road, ALTON,

Hampshire, GU34 2UD, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Garry CRITCHLEY (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Reddie & Grose LLP The White Chapel Building,

Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 8QS, United Kingdom

(51) INTCL:
B66C1/66 (2006.01)	B65D 19/38 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: EP 2188202 A1 JP 2003267374 A	JP 2009155035 B US 1763657 A
(58) Field of Search: INT CL B65D, B66C Other: WPI, EPODOC

(54) Title of the Invention: Lifting system

Abstract Title: A collapsible lifting frame for coupling to a pallet (57) The system 100 has a lifting frame 102, extending around a materials support apparatus 104, having a two engaging means 120,122 on different sides of the frame, both engage with an operating means 126,418 which rotates them to an engaged position. The operating means may be levers coupled at mid-points of opposing sides of the lifting frame. The engaging means may be sets of lugs or hooks 402,410 which are spaced along two shafts 400,408, a first radial arm 412 connects centrally to the end of the first shaft 408, a first end of a second radial arm 404 connects to the end of the second shaft 400, with a rod 306 extending from an end of the first radial arm 412 to one of the levers 126, and a second rod 308 extending between a second end of the second radial arm 404 and an end of the first radial arm 412; a complementary mirrored configuration may be present at opposing ends of the shafts with the second lever 418. A removable key (fig. 17) with elongate members may be coupled with slots and holes in the radial arms. Preferably, the lifting frame has upper and lower sections 106,108 connected solely by flexible mesh (fig. 15); telescopic members; or collapsible hinged members (fig. 16). Preferably, the materials support apparatus is a pallet with channels along the edges which are engaged by the lifting frame; it may also have wheels and a handle to form a maneuverable truck.

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Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No. GB1613479.3

RTM

Date :18 January 2017

The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

Dyneema (Page 7)

Kevlar (Page 7)

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

-1 LIFTING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a lifting system. In particular, the invention relates to a lifting system comprising a pallet and cage for use in lifting building materials, such as bricks, or any other materials suitable for being lifted by such a system in any other situation.

Pallets are cost-effective platforms widely employed in the transport, construction, packaging and many other industries. Mainly manufactured with wood, pallets are easy to assemble and manipulate during the loading, unloading and lifting processes. Metal pallets are also known, which provide strength and durability to transport particularly heavy or oversized goods. Palletised cargo can be efficiently handled by forklift trucks, hand pallet trucks or other fork-type transporting devices that can lift the cargo from below reducing labour costs.

The manipulation of cargo made up of individual and fragile items, such as brick stacks, requires the need for a safe enclosure. Slings or chains wrapping around the cargo or nets are generally used to enclose and lift the cargo by means of a crane (for example as described in US 2003/0222468 A1 and US 4,736,975 A). Other methods, as described in US 4,550,940, consist of slings connected to bar and clamp members that engage with the pallet sides and lift it. These methods can risk the safety of onsite workers as well as being costly in terms of labour and time required to load and unload the cargo. Cages can aid in the lifting of palletised cargo, especially where that cargo is difficult to manipulate from below and/or where the working environment is not suitable for using a forklift device or the like. Pallets can be manufactured with a set of enclosing sides onto which the cargo can be securely placed. A hoisting mechanism can engage with the top or sides of the cagedpallet to lift and move the cargo to a desired location. However, these caged-pallets are considerably expensive relative to normal pallets and large amounts of time can be lost in the process of engaging the hoisting mechanism to the caged-pallet and loading and unloading the cargo from the apparatus.

Efficiency of loading and unloading the pallets as well as the working condition for cargo handlers are improved by separating the cage. Some known arrangements are disclosed in AU 2001100055 A4 and US 1,763,657. The cage may have an open top and bottom with a hoisting attachment located on top. The cage is lowered on to the palletised cargo and the cage is engaged with, or fastened to, the pallet by the means of hooks (US 1,763,657) or an engaging pin placed through stirrups (AU 2001100055 A4). These methods of engagement require a lot of effort and unnecessary labour input in aligning all elements with each other to achieve successful engagement. Improper engagement

-2between the cage and the pallet can result in severe injuries or death of the labourers and damage to the palletised cargo.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lifting system which enables efficient and safe lifting of materials.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifting system comprising: a lifting frame configured to extend around a materials support apparatus, the frame comprising: a first engaging means rotatably coupled to a first side of the frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus; a second engaging means rotatably coupled to a second side of the frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus; and operating means, operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the operating means rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position, the engaging means being engagable with a materials support apparatus when in the second position.

The operating means may comprise a first lever coupled at a medial point to the lifting frame, a distal end of the first lever operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means. Further details of the lever are provided below.

The operating means may comprise a second lever coupled at a medial point to the lifting frame on an opposing side to the first lever, a distal end of the second lever operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the second lever also rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment, operating either lever rotates both the engaging means and moves the other lever.

The or each lever may be configured to protrude through a slot in the frame. The slot is preferably provided on a top surface of the frame. The slot is preferably elongate to enable the lever to move from a first position to a second position.

The first engaging means preferably comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface, and the second engaging means comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface. The first set of engaging lugs are preferably spaced apart along a first shaft, and the second set of engaging lugs are spaced apart along a second shaft, the operating means being operably coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft for rotating the engaging lugs.

The first shaft preferably comprises a first radial arm, a medial point of the first radial arm being coupled to a first end of the first shaft, the second shaft comprises a second radial arm, a proximal end of the second radial arm being coupled to a first end of the second shaft, The first radial arm is coupled to the operating means, and a second end of

-3the first radial is coupled to the distal end of the second radial arm by an elongate rod. Further details of the engaging means are provided below.

The operating means may comprise a removable key configured to be operably couplable to the first radial arm. The first radial arm may comprises at least one slot configured to receive the removable key. The first radial arm may comprise a plurality of holes configured to receive the removable key, the removable key comprising a corresponding plurality of elongate members configured to be insertable into said holes. In a preferred embodiment, the key comprises two prongs, the radial arm comprising two corresponding holes for receiving the prongs.

The first shaft may comprise a third radial arm, a proximal end of the third radial arm being coupled to a second end of the first shaft, the second shaft comprises a fourth radial arm, a medial point of the fourth radial arm being coupled to a second end of the second shaft. The distal end of the third radial arm is coupled to a first end of fourth radial arm by a third elongate rod.

Where the operating means comprises a removable key, the removable key is preferably configured to be operably couplable to any of the radial arms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifting system comprising: a lifting frame configured to extend around a materials support apparatus, the frame comprising: a lower frame; an upper frame; and a plurality elongate members coupling the lower frame to the upper frame; a first engaging means rotatably coupled to a first side of the lower frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus; a second engaging means rotatably coupled to a second side of the lower frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus; and a lever coupled at a medial point to one of the plurality of elongate members. A distal end of the lever is operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the lever rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position, the engaging means being engagable with a materials support apparatus when in the second position.

Advantageously, providing an operating lever on the side of a lifting system which enables a materials support apparatus to be fully engaged and coupled to the lifting frame in a single operation by the user, reduces the time required to perform such an operation. The system enables simultaneous operation of the engaging means on opposing sides of the materials support apparatus, which results in the advantageous result.

The lifting system may further comprise a second lever coupled at a medial point to another one of the plurality of elongate members on an opposing side of the lifting frame to the first lever, a distal end of the second lever operably coupled to the first engaging means

-4and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the second lever rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position.

By providing a lever on opposing sides of the lifting frame, each of which independently controls both of the engaging means, enables the user to engage and disengage the materials support apparatus irrespective of the side of the lifting frame they are standing. Such a second lever may find particular advantage when loading and unloading materials in confined spaces.

Preferably, the or each lever is provided on a side of the lifting frame orthogonal to the sides of the lower frame having the engaging means. Such an arrangement may enable the simplification of the operable coupling between the lever and the engaging means.

The first engaging means preferably comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface, and the second engaging means preferably comprises a set of plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface. Each engaging means may comprise between 2 and 12 engaging lugs, preferably between 4 and 8. In one embodiment, each engaging means comprises 6 engaging lugs.

Each engaging means is preferably rotatable such that when rotating from the first position to the second position the engaging surfaces rotate between about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, more preferably between about 75 degrees and 105 degrees, and in one particular embodiment about 90 degrees from being substantially parallel to the lifting direction to substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Preferably, the engaging surfaces of the first engaging means and the second engaging means face away from each other when in the first position.

Preferably, the first set of engaging lugs are spaced apart along a first shaft, and the second set of engaging lugs are spaced apart along a second shaft, the lever being operably coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft for rotating the engaging lugs. The engaging lugs are preferably evenly spaced apart along the shaft.

Each shaft is preferably supported by a plurality of support elements, the support elements attached to the lower frame. Preferably, the support elements are provided within, more preferably wholly within, the lower frame. Preferably, a support element is provided adjacent each engaging lug. In use, the weight of the materials support apparatus and the materials being lifted is transmitted to the lower frame via the engaging lugs to the shafts, and then to the support elements. Therefore, providing the support elements adjacent the engaging lugs reduces the bending forces on the shafts.

The support elements are configured to support the shaft, and preferably comprise a through hole to support the shaft, the through hole acting as a plain bearing. Alternatively,

-5each support element may comprise a bearing such as a rolling-element bearing like a ball bearing or roller bearing.

The first shaft preferably comprises a first radial arm, a medial point of the first radial arm being coupled to a first end of the first shaft, the second shaft preferably comprises a second radial arm, a proximal end of the second radial arm being coupled to a first end of the second shaft. A first end of the first radial arm is coupled to the distal end of the lever by a first elongate rod, and a second end of the first radial arm is coupled to the distal end of the second radial arm by a second elongate rod.

The elongate rods are preferably coupled to the lever and to the radial arms by rod end bearings.

The first shaft may comprise a third radial arm, a proximal end of the third radial arm being coupled to a second end of the first shaft, the second shaft may comprise a fourth radial arm, a medial point of the fourth radial arm being coupled to a second end of the second shaft. The distal end of the third radial arm may then be coupled to a first end of fourth radial arm by a third elongate rod. Providing elongate rods coupling both ends of the engaging means shafts together may ensure that the shafts rotate more easily. When the lifting system comprises a second lever, a second end of the fourth radial arm is preferably coupled to the distal end of the second lever by a fourth elongate rod. In this way, a symmetric device is provided which enables the operator to engage and disengage a materials support apparatus from either side of the lifting system, with equal efficiency and ease.

The radial arms are preferably arranged such that they are offset from the engaging surface by about 45 degrees.

Preferably, the engaging means is configured to be retained wholly within the lower frame when in the first position. Such a configuration may prevent the engaging means from being damaged, reduces the chance of the operator being injured while handling the lifting system, and reduces the chance of the engaging means from snagging on surrounding equipment or materials.

Each engaging means preferably comprises a first stop configured to abut the lower frame when the engaging means is in the second position. Such a stop prevents the engaging means from moving once in the second position and engaged with a materials support apparatus. Where each engaging means comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each engaging lug preferably comprises a first stop. The engaging means is configured to enable the engaging lugs to rotate such that the first stops engage with an inner surface of the lower frame. In one embodiment, the lower frame comprises a plurality of slots on the inner surface, each slot configured to enable an engaging lug to protrude therefrom when

-6the engaging means is in the second position. When in the first position, the engaging lugs are preferably configured to be wholly within the lower frame, such that the external edge of each engaging lug is within a respective slot.

Preferably, the radius from the axis of the shaft to the external edge of each engaging lug comprising the engaging surface is less than the radius from the axis of the shaft to the first stop. Alternatively, the thickness, along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft, of the engaging lug adjacent the engaging surface is less than the thickness of the engaging lug adjacent the first stop. The first stop may be at least one tab, bent such that it is perpendicular to the engaging lug.

The slot in the lower frame is preferably sized such that the engaging surface portion has clearance between the engaging lug and the slot, and such that the first stop engages with a portion of the lower frame adjacent the slot.

The engaging means preferably comprises a second stop configured to abut the lower frame when the engaging means is in the second position. The second stop is configured to prevent the engaging means from over-rotating, which could damage the system or injure the operator due to excessive movement of the operating lever.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the engaging surface comprises a hook portion for engaging with a materials support apparatus, the tip of the hook facing the upper frame when the engaging means is in the second position. Providing a hook portion reduces lateral movement of the materials support apparatus relative to the lifting frame, and therefore more securely engages the materials support apparatus to the lifting frame.

The lower frame is preferably rectangular, more preferably a square, and preferably comprises four elongate members joined at four corners to form the lower frame.

The upper frame is preferably rectangular, more preferably square, and preferably comprises four elongate members joined at four corners to form the lower frame. Preferably the upper frame is the same shape as the lower frame. Each elongate member of the upper frame is preferably formed of box-section tubing. Preferably, each elongate member is formed of metal, such as mild steel.

Each of the elongate members forming the lower frame preferably has a c-shaped cross-section. The elongate members are preferably joined together at their respective ends. Preferably, the ends are joined by welding. The inner periphery of the lower frame is preferably tapered to locate the materials support apparatus. That is to say, the inner bottom corner of the lower frame is tapered which enables the lifting frame to self-locate with the materials support apparatus as the lifting frame is lowered onto the materials support apparatus. The taper is preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees to the inner surface of the lower frame.

-7Each of the engaging means is preferably housed within a respective c-shaped lower frame member. The c-shaped lower frame members housing the engaging means preferably comprises a plurality of brackets for supporting the engaging means.

Each c-shaped frame member preferably further comprises a cover plate, configured to cover the open side of the frame member. Providing such a cover plate prevents the ingress of debris and dirt, but also reduces the risk of injury to the operator by restricting access to the engaging means.

Preferably, the plurality elongate members coupling the lower frame to the upper frame comprise four elongate members, one at each corner of the lifting frame. Each of the four elongate members is preferably formed of box-section tubing. The box-section tubing is preferably formed of metal, such as mild steel, titanium, aluminium, or any other suitable metal. In alternative embodiments, the elongate members may be formed of a composite, such as wood, glass fibre reinforced plastic, or carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The elongate member having the lever coupled thereto is preferably provided substantially at a mid-point along a side of the lifting frame orthogonal to the sides of the lower frame having the engaging means.

The lever is preferably recessed in the elongate member, the elongate member having a u-shaped cross-section. Recessing the lever in the elongate member protects it from damage during use of the lifting system, thereby providing a more durable lifting system. The u-shaped elongate member preferably comprises a cover for partially enclosing the lever, a handle end of the lever being exposed. Providing a cover yet further protects the lever, and also prevents the ingress of debris which may restrict movement of the lever and the means for operably coupling the lever to the engaging means.

The upper frame preferably comprises a cross-member extending from a first side of the upper frame to a second side of the upper frame, the cross-member having a lifting eye. Preferably, the cross-member is provided at a mid-point along the side of the upper frame. The cross-member may be a plate having the lifting eye. The plate may be triangular, the lifting eye being adjacent a corner of the plate.

The lifting frame preferably comprises meshing provided between the elongate members. The meshing enables the materials being lifted to be enclosed, and prevent them from falling from the lifting system during use. The meshing may be formed of metal, and may be joined to the upper frame, lower frame and elongate members by welding.

Alternatively, the meshing may be one of: webbing; netting; or flexible sheet. The webbing or netting may be a fabric formed of nylon, polyester, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (known as Dyneema®), aramid fibre (known as Kevlar®), or cotton. The

-8flexible sheet may be plastic sheet, preferably relatively thick plastic sheet, such as a polyethylene sheet or high density polyethylene sheet.

Alternatively to using meshing, solid sheet material may be used. The sheet material may comprise at least one cut-out to enable an operator to view the materials before removing the lifting frame. This enables the operator to determine whether any of the materials being lifted have shifted such that they could potentially fall from the materials support apparatus. The cut-out may comprise a hinged cover configured to close the cutout. The cover may be door or hatch, the cut-out being configured to enable access by an operator to the materials being lifted. The cover may be lockable to prevent it from opening during lifting. Advantageously, providing a hinged cover enables the operator to not only view the materials, but also remove or re-stack the materials, if they have moved or shifted during lifting, prior to removing the lifting frame from the materials support apparatus. The cut-out comprising a hinged cover may extend across substantially the entire width of the lifting frame between the elongate members coupling the upper frame to the lower frame, and may extend from approximately half-way from the upper frame towards the lower frame. In this way, a half-height hatch may be formed for easy access. The hinged cover may be hinged on any side, but preferably is hinged on a lower side. Alternatively, the hinged cover may form a door, for example hinged on a substantially vertical side of the cover. The door may form, for example, a full height entrance into the lifting frame.

The sheet material may be formed of metal, such as mild steel, or from a plastics material such as poly(methyl methacrylate), known as acrylic glass, may be used. Such transparent material would not require a cut-out.

Where solid sheet material is used to form the sides of the lifting frame, at least one of the sides may be hinged to the lower frame. Preferably, the at least one side is hinged to the lower frame by a plurality of hinges. The at least one hinged side is preferably lockable to the upper frame or to the elongate members configured to couple the upper frame to the lower frame. Providing a hinged side enables the side to be lowered to form a ramp access to the materials support apparatus. For example, such a ramp access may be used to enable a conventional pallet truck to access, and remove, a conventional pallet being lifted on the materials support apparatus. Such a feature may be advantageous where the materials are being raised to the top of a building under construction where it would be inappropriate, and time consuming to separate the lifting frame from the materials support apparatus.

Each elongate member, joining the upper frame to the lower frame may be telescopic for adjusting the height of the lifting frame. Each telescopic elongate member preferably comprises: a first member having a first end coupled to the lower frame and a second end

-9comprising a through hole; and a second member having a first end coupled to the upper frame and a second end comprising a plurality of through holes each hole being at a different distance from the second end, the second member being receivable in the second end of the first member; and a locking pin. The locking pin is configured to be received through the through hole of the first member and one of the through holes in the second member to lock the first member to the second member.

In the embodiment having a lifting frame with adjustable height, the lifting frame may comprise mesh joined to the upper frame, lower frame and elongate members, the mesh being stretchable such that it deforms as the height of the lifting frame is adjusted.

Alternatively, the engaging means may comprise an elongate plate, a first side of the plate forming the engaging surface. The elongate plate may extend along the length of the lower frame member that it is coupled to.

The lifting system of the first aspect, or the upper frame of the further aspect, may further comprise a plurality of lifting eyes, disposed at the corners of the lifting frame. Where the lifting frame is square or rectangular, the lifting system preferably comprises four lifting eyes.

The lifting system of the first aspect may comprise a lifting frame comprising a lower frame and an upper frame coupled to the lower frame, the first engaging means and the second engaging means being rotatably coupled to opposing sides of the lower frame.

The upper frame may be coupled to the lower frame by a plurality of elongate members. In this embodiment, the operating means may comprise a lever coupled at a medial point to one of the plurality of elongate members. A distal end of the lever is operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the lever rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position, the engaging means being engagable with a materials support apparatus when in the second position. As will now be appreciated, this embodiment is equivalent to the further aspect of the present invention described above. As such, any appropriate feature described with reference to the further aspect of the invention may be provided in combination with the first aspect of the present invention.

Alternatively, the upper frame is coupled to the lower frame by a flexible mesh. Preferably, the upper frame is coupled to the lower frame solely by a flexible mesh. Coupling the upper frame to the lower frame by a flexible mesh enables the lifting system to be compact to reduce the storage space required for the system. In the embodiment where the frames are coupled solely by the mesh, the mesh is load bearing. The mesh is preferably formed of metal. The mesh may be coupled to the upper and lower frames by fasteners, or by welding or any other suitable type of fixing. The upper frame may be

-10further coupled to the lower frame by flexible cables, flexible ropes, or the like. In this embodiment, the flexible cables or ropes are load bearing and therefore transfer the load from the lower frame to the upper frame and onto the lifting means, such as a crane, during lifting of the lifting system.

In an alternative embodiment, the upper frame may be coupled to the lower frame by a plurality of collapsible elongate members. Each collapsible elongate member may be hinged at a medial point along its length, and hingedly coupled to the upper frame and to the lower frame. In this way, the elongate members may fold to enable the upper frame to move towards the lower frame and thereby reduce the storage space required for the lifting system.

The lifting system may further comprise a plurality of sheets, hingedly coupled to each side of the lower frame, each sheet foldable into the interior of the lower frame to enable the plurality of collapsible elongate members to collapse to reduce the height of the lifting frame. In use, to collapse the lifting system, each hinged sheet is folded into the interior of the lifting frame before the elongate members are collapsed.

Alternatively, the lifting system comprising collapsible elongate members may comprise meshing disposed between the elongate members. The meshing being provided to prevent the materials being lifted from falling from the lifting system during use.

Preferably, the lifting system further comprises a materials support apparatus comprising: a frame extending around the periphery of the support apparatus; and a surface, supported by the frame, for supporting materials to be lifted. The frame comprises at least two engaging portions configured to be engagable by the engaging means.

When both the lifting frame and the materials support apparatus are resting on the ground, the distance from the ground to the engaging portions of the materials support apparatus frame is preferably greater than the distance from the ground to the engaging surface of each engaging means. Such an arrangement enables the engaging means to rotate into the engagable, second, position without the materials support apparatus interfering with the range of movement and preventing full engagement.

Each engaging portion preferably comprises a channel, each channel disposed along opposing edges of the frame. The frame preferably comprises four engaging portions, one on each edge of the frame, each channel having substantially equal longitudinal length. Providing four engaging portions, each having substantially equals lengths forms a square materials support apparatus such that the lifting frame can engage with the materials support apparatus in any rotational orientation. Alternatively, the lengths of the engaging portions may be formed such that a rectangular materials support apparatus is formed. It is

-11 also envisaged that any other suitable shape of materials support apparatus may be formed.

The engaging portion channel is preferably formed of a u-shaped cross-sectional elongate member. The open side of the elongate member facing the opposing direction to the support surface. Such a channel enables, where used, the hook portion of the engaging lug to engage with the materials support surface.

The frame of the materials support apparatus is preferably formed of metal, preferably steel such as mild steel. The frame may comprise a plurality of elongate members, each member forming a side of the apparatus. Preferably, the frame comprises four elongate members welded together at four corners to form the apparatus.

The support surface is preferably removably attached to the frame. The support surface may be formed of a sheet material such as plywood.

The materials support device may be a pallet. The pallet may comprise edge members extending from each edge of the support surface. Such edge members form a volume for retaining loose, friable, or bulky materials. Such edge members may form a pallet collar.

The pallet preferably comprises channels, disposed on the opposite side of the frame to the surface for support materials, configured to engage with the forks of a lifting device.

The materials support apparatus may comprise a plurality of wheels operably coupled to the frame, such that a wheeled truck is formed. The wheeled truck may be used to transport the supported materials both to a location suitable for use with a lifting crane, and then from the location which the crane has moved them to, for example, on a building site. In this way, materials may be more easily transported.

The material support apparatus may comprise, for example, two wheels, three wheels or four wheels.

The materials support apparatus in the form of a wheeled truck may further comprise a handle, coupled to the materials support apparatus, for enabling a user to manoeuvre the wheeled truck. The handle may be coupled to a steering mechanism for manoeuvring the truck. The wheeled truck may further comprise a brake.

The handle may be movable from a first position to a second position, the handle being stowed in the first position and operational in the second position. In the stowed position the handle is preferably within the footprint of the materials support apparatus such that the lifting frame may encompass the materials support apparatus including the handle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a materials support apparatus, for use with a lifting system substantially as described herein. The support apparatus comprises: a frame extending around the periphery of the support

- 12 apparatus; and a surface, supported by the frame, for supporting materials to be lifted. The frame comprises at least two engaging portions configured to be engagable by the engaging means of the lifting system.

The materials support apparatus may comprise any feature as described above with reference to the materials support apparatus described as forming part of the lifting system.

The lifting system and corresponding materials support apparatus may be of any suitable size depending on the type of material to be lifted. For example, the materials support apparatus may be the size of a standard pallet, or may be sized to enable a standard pallet to be lifted on the materials support apparatus. Further examples of materials that may be lifted by the present system would be readily appreciated by the skilled person, and the present invention is not limited to lifting any particular materials, or to being any particular size.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view the lifting system of Figure 1 having mesh side panels;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the lifting frame of the lifting system;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the engaging means of the lifting system;

Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show a detailed side view of an engaging lug of the engaging means;

Figure 6 shows a detail view of an engaging lug within the lifting frame, in a second, locked, position;

Figure 7 shows a detail view of an engaging lug within the lifting frame, in an intermediary position between the first and second positions;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the top side of the materials support apparatus;

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the materials support apparatus;

- 13Figure 10 shows a side view of the materials support apparatus;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the materials support apparatus;

Figure 12 shows a detail cross-sectional view of the materials support apparatus; Figures 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 13(d), and 13(e) show a detail view of the lifting frame and materials support apparatus moving from an unengaged configuration to an engaged configuration;

Figures 14a, and 14b show a further embodiment of a lifting system according to the present invention;

Figure 15 shows a lifting system comprising mesh sides;

Figures 16(a), 16(b), 16(c), 16(d), and 16(e) show a lifting system comprising collapsible sides; and

Figures 17(a), 17(b), 17(c), 17(d), and 17(e) show a lifting system comprising a removable key.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting system 100. The lifting system is of particular use in lifting building materials in and around a building site. The system 100 comprises a lifting frame 102 and a materials support apparatus 104. In the examples shown in the appended figures, the materials support apparatus 104 is in the form of a flat pallet. However, it will be appreciated that the materials support apparatus may take other forms, such as a wheeled truck, or a pallet having a pallet collar.

The lifting frame 102 comprises an upper frame 106, a lower frame 108 and elongate members joining the upper frame to the lower frame. The upper frame is formed of four cross members welded together at the corners of the upper frame with mitre joints. In addition, the upper frame 106 comprises a lifting member 110 having a lifting location 112 for attachment to a lifting mechanism such as a crane. The lower frame is formed of four cross members also welded together at the corners of the lower frame with mitre joints.

The lifting frame comprises four elongate members 114 provided at each corner of the frame, two elongate members 116, and two elongate members 118. Each of the elongate members 114, 116 and 118 are welded at a first end to the upper frame and at a second end to the lower frame.

The elongate members 114 and 116 are box-section tubing. The upper frame 106 is also formed of box-section tubing. The lower frame 108 is formed of folded sheet metal, the sheet metal formed into c-section members, described in further detail below.

The lifting system also comprises a first engaging means 120 disposed on a first side of the lifting frame 102, and a second engaging means 122 disposed on a second,

-14opposing, side of the lifting frame 102. The first and second engaging means form part of an engaging system 124, which also comprises an operating lever 126. A second operating lever (not shown) is provided on the opposing side of the lifting frame 102. The operating levers are operably coupled to the first 120 and second 122 engaging means. The engaging means are attached to the lower frame 108 by brackets 123.

Figure 2 shows the lifting system 100 further comprising cover plates 200, 202 configured to cover the open side of the lower frame members, and enclose the engaging system 124. Cover plates (not shown) are also provided to cover the open sides of the remaining two sides of the lower frame members. Cover plate 204 is provided to cover the open side of the elongate member 118 to partially enclose the operating lever 124. A corresponding cover plate (not shown) is provided to cover the open side of the opposing elongate member. In addition, meshing 206 is provided between the elongate members joining the upper frame 102 to the lower frame 104. In the present example, the meshing is formed of metal, and is welded to the elongate members and to the upper and lower frames. Each side of the lifting frame comprises meshing, which may be formed of a single sheet of mesh material, or individual sheets provided within the spaces formed by the various elongate members 114, 116 and 118. The meshing prevents materials from falling during lifting.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the lifting frame 102, with the cover plates 202 and 204 removed to show the engaging system. As can be seen, the operating lever 126 is rotatably coupled 300, at a mid-point along its length, to the c-section elongate member 118. The coupling 300 may comprise a bearing, such as a plain bearing. In a simple form, the coupling 300 may comprise a bolt provided in a through hole in the lever.

A first end 302 of the lever 126 forms a handle, the other, distal, end 304 of the lever is operably coupled to the engaging means 120 and 122. A first elongate rod 306 is coupled, by a rod-end bearing to the distal end 304 of the lever, and to the engaging means 122 by another rod-end bearing. A second elongate rod 308 is coupled to the engaging means 122 and to the engaging means 120, again by rod-end bearings.

Referring to Figure 4, the engaging system is shown in further detail. The engaging system is shown in an unengaged, first, position. The first, unengaged, and second engaged positions of the engaging system are described in further detail below. The engaging means 120 comprises an elongate shaft 400, six engaging lugs 402, a first radial arm 404 and a second radial arm 406. The engaging lugs 402 are rigidly fixed to, and equally spaced apart along the length of, the shaft 400. The first radial arm 404 is rigidly fixed to a first end of the shaft 400, and the second radial arm is rigidly fixed to a second end of the shaft 400. The second engaging means 122 comprises an identical

- 15arrangement. It therefore comprises an elongate shaft 408, six engaging lugs 410, a third radial arm 412 and a fourth radial arm 414.

The second end of the first elongate rod 306 is coupled to a first end of the third radial arm 412. A first end of the second elongate rod 308 is coupled to a second end of the third radial arm 412 and a second end of the second elongate rod 308 is coupled to a first end of the radial arm 404. A similar arrangement is provided at the other ends of the elongate shafts 400 and 408. A first end of the third elongate rod 416 is coupled to a distal end of the second lever 416 by a rod-end bearing, and a second end of the elongate rod 416 is coupled to a first end of the second radial arm 406. A fourth elongate rod 420 is coupled to a second end of the second radial arm 406 by a rod-end bearing, and a second end of the elongate rod 420 is coupled to a first end of the fourth radial arm 414.

As described above, the engaging means are attached to the lower frame by brackets 123 (not shown in Figure 4). Each of the brackets 123 comprises a bearing such as a plain bearing to enable the shafts to rotate relative to the lower frame.

As will now be appreciated, moving the handle end of either lever 126 or lever 418 operably rotates both of the engaging means by transmitting the displacement of the handle end of the lever to the elongate shafts via the rods 306, 308, 416 and 420 and the radial arms 404, 406, 412 and 414. The arrangement of the elongate rods further means that the elongate shafts rotate in opposite directions. As viewed from the side in Figure 3, the shaft 400 of engaging means 120 rotates clockwise, and the shaft 408 of engaging means 122 rotates anti-clockwise.

Figures 5(a) and 5(b), show a detailed side view of an engaging lug 402, 410. Each of the engaging lugs 402, 410 are substantially identical, and comprise a through hole 500 for receiving the shaft 400, 408, an engaging surface 502 for engaging with the materials support apparatus, a hook portion 504 for further engaging with the materials support apparatus, a first stop 506 and a second stop 508. As can be seen from Figure 5b, the radius, r, of the curved external edge of the engaging surface and hook portion is approximately equal to the radius of the inner edge of the first stop 506.

The engaging lug is shown housed in the lower frame 108 in Figures 6 and 7 which are detailed views of the engaging lug and lower frame. In Figure 6, the engaging lug is shown in the second, engaged, position. In Figure 7, the engaging lug is shown in an intermediate position between the first and second positions. Referring to Figure 6, it can be seen that each engaging lug is provided within a slot 600 in the lower frame. The slot is also configured to received a tab portion 602 of a bracket 123, to locate the bracket and provide additional support. The engaging lug is positioned such that face 604 of the engaging lug is substantially planar, i.e. flush, with the external surface 606 of the lower

-16frame 108. In this position, the engaging surface 502 of the engaging lug is substantially perpendicular to the external surface 606 of the lower frame, and the surface of the first stop 506 is in contact with an internal surface of the lower frame. The first stop thus prevents further rotation of the engaging lug.

In Figure 7 it can be seen that the engaging lug is configured such that the curved external edge of the hook portion is able to retract into the lower frame through the slot. When in the first, unengaged unlocked, position, the external side 700 of the engaging lug is substantially planar, i.e. flush, with the external surface 606 of the lower frame. The process of engagement between the engaging lug and the materials support apparatus is described in further detail below.

The materials support apparatus 104, such as a pallet will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the top of a pallet 104. The pallet comprises a frame 800 extending around the periphery of the pallet 104, and a support surface 802 within the frame and configured to support the materials to be lifted. The pallet, as viewed from the top, is square. As can be seen in Figure 9, the support surface 802 fits within a rim formed by the frame 800, and is configured to be removable in the event of damage. In use, the support surface is attached to the frame by fixtures, such as screws. The support surface in the present example is formed of plywood, but may be formed of any other suitable material.

Figure 10, shows a side view of the pallet 104. The frame further comprises channels 1000 extending from a first side of the frame 800 to a second side of the frame. The channels provide structural support to the pallet, and are also configured to receive the forks of a fork lift truck, pallet truck or the like. The ends of the channels 1002 are tapered away from the edge of the of the pallet. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the underside of the pallet 104, which provides further detail of the channels 1000. In this example, the pallet comprises three channels, but may comprise any other suitable number of channels, such as two, four, five or more depending on the size of the pallet. Both the channels 1000 and the frame 800 are formed of metal, such as steel.

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the pallet 104. The frame 800 comprises a channel, or recess, 1200 for receiving the engaging surface 502 and hook portion 504 when the lifting frame engages with the pallet. The depth of the channel is approximately equal to the length of the hook portion 504 such that the tip of the hook engages with the bottom of the channel and that the engaging surface 502 engages with the lip of the channel 1202.

The operation of the lifting system 100 will now be described with reference in particular to Figures 13(a) to 13(e). Figures 13 show the lifting frame 102 being lowered onto the pallet 104, and the engaging system being used to engaged the lifting frame 102

- 17with the pallet 104. Figure 13a shows the lifting frame 102 as it is being lowered around the pallet 104. As can be seen, the engaging means is in the second, engaged, position, but it will be appreciated that it need not be, but rather may be in the first, unengaged, position during lowering. It is noted that the radial arm 412 is shown in greater detail, welded to the end of the shaft 408, and comprising a first hole 1300 for connecting the rod-end bearing of the rod 306 and a second hole 1302 for connecting the rod-end bearing of the rod 308. The radial arm 412 is provided radially offset by 45 degrees from the engaging surface of the engaging lug. Similar arrangements are provided at each end of the shafts 400 and 408.

The inner corner of the lifting frame is tapered to enable the lifting frame to self-align with the pallet 104.

As the lifting frame 102 is lowered further, the engaging lugs 402, 410 are pushed from the first position to the second position by the frame of the pallet; as shown in Figure 13b. Once the lifting frame is lowered to the ground the engaging lug will have been pushed all of the way into the first position; as shown in Figure 13c. As can be seen, when both the pallet 104 and the lifting frame 102 are supported on the same ground level, the distance from the ground to the bottom of the pallet frame 800 is greater than the distance from the ground to the external curved surface of the hook portion. This enables the engaging lugs to freely rotate from the first position to the second position.

In Figure 13(c), it can now be seen that the second stop 508 is provided to stop overrotation of the engaging lugs when in the first position. The stop 508 contacts an inner surface of the lower frame. A cut-out 1304 is provided in each engaging lug 402, 410 to prevent contact of the engaging lug with fixing 1306. Fixings 1306 are provided to retain the respective brackets 123.

In Figure 13(d), the operator has moved the lever 126 or the lever 418 to rotate the engaging lugs into the second position so that they are engageable with the pallet 104. As described above, a single movement of a single lever moves both sets of engaging lugs on opposing sides of the lifting frame. Once the engaging lugs have been rotated into the second position, the lifting frame may be lifted. In Figure 13(e), a cross-sectional view is provided which shows the engaging lugs 402, 410 engaged with the pallet 104. As the lifting frame 102 is now lifted further, the load of the pallet and materials supported thereon is transferred to the lifting apparatus, such as crane, via the engaging surface and hook portion of the engaging lugs which in turn are prevented from rotating by the first stop 506. The shafts 400 and 408 then transfer the load to the brackets 123 and then onto the lower frame 108. The elongate members 114, 116 and 118 then transfer the load to the upper frame 106 which is coupled to the crane lifting hook by the cross member 110 and the lifting eye 112.

-18To release the pallet 104 from the lifting frame, the above described operation is carried out in reverse. The lifting system is lowered until both e pallet 104 and the lifting frame 102 are on the ground, the operator then moves the lever to the unlocked, first position, and the lifting frame 102 is lifted from the pallet 104.

Figures 14(a) and 14(b) show an alternative lifting system 1400. The system 1400 comprises a lifting frame 1402 and a materials support apparatus (not shown). The materials support apparatus for use in the lifting system 1400 may be any materials support apparatus as described above, for example in the form of a flat pallet.

The lifting frame 1402 comprises four cross members welded together at the corners of the frame with mitre joints. The frame 1402 comprises lifting eyes 1404 at each corner for attachment to a lifting mechanism such as a crane.

The frame 1402 is formed of folded sheet metal, the sheet metal formed into c-section members. The frame 1402 is equivalent to the lower frame described above, and therefore comprises the first 120 and second 122 engaging means. The engaging means operate in a similar manner to that descried above, except for the operating means used to rotate the engaging means from the first position to the second position. In this example, the operating lever 1406 is operatively coupled to the engaging means as described above. However, as can be seen, the lever is pivotably coupled directly to the frame 1402. The lever 1406 is provided in, and protrudes from, an elongate slot 1407 in the frame member. The lever is preferably sized to enable easy operation by an operator, for example by the foot of an operator. A second lever 1408 is provided on the opposing side of the frame 1402. As will be appreciated, such a lever may be used in any of the examples of a lifting system described above. In use, the lifting system 1400 operates in a similar manner to the system described above.

Figure 15 shows an further example ofa lifting system 1500. The lower frame 1502 is equivalent to the lifting frame 1402 described with reference to Figures 14 above. The system 1500 further comprises an upper frame 1504 coupled to the lower frame 1502 by flexible meshing 1506. The flexible meshing enables the lifting system to collapse to reduce the height during storage of the system 1500 when not in use.

The upper frame 1504 is formed of four cross members welded together at the corners of the upper frame with mitre joints. In this example, the lifting eyes, provided on the frame 1402 shown in Figure 14, are now provided on the upper frame 1504. In addition, elongate slots 1508, corresponding to the slots 1407 on the lower frame, are provided to allow the levers 1406 and 1408 be received in the upper frame.

The flexible mesh 1506 is welded to the lower frame and upper frame, and in this example is load bearing. The flexible mesh is formed of metal, such as mild steel.

-19The lifting system 1500 operates in a similar manner to the lifting system described above.

Figures 16(a) to 16(e) show a further example of a lifting system 1600. Similarly to the system 1500 shown in Figure 15, the lifting system 1600 is based on the lifting frame 1402 shown in Figure 14. In this example, instead of the meshing 1506 used in the system 1500, collapsible elongate members 1602 are used to couple the lower frame 1604 to the upper frame 1606. In this example, the upper frame 1606 is formed of u-shape channel members. In addition, side plates 1608 are provided between the elongate members to form an enclosed lifting frame for engaging with a materials support apparatus, such as a pallet, and to prevent the materials from falling from the lifting system in use.

Each elongate member 1602 is formed from two u-shape channel members which are hinged 1610 at approximately the mid-point along the member 1602. Each elongate member 1602 is then hingedly coupled at a first end to the lower frame 1604 and at a second end to the upper frame 1606.

When not in use, the lifting system 1600 can be collapsed to significantly reduce the amount of storage space required. The method of collapsing the system 1600 will now be described with reference to Figures 16(b) to 16(e). As can be seen in Figure 16(b), the first stage of collapse is to lower the upper frame towards the lower frame, which allows the elongate members 1602 to hinge about at their mid-points at hinges 1610. The u-shaped channels forming the elongate members 1602 are sized such that the upper channel 1612 fits within the lower channel 1614, and such that the lower channel 1614 fits within the upper frame 1606. The hinges may be simple hinges formed from pins provided in through holes in the channels. In this way, the upper frame can be lowered towards the lower frame, as the elongate members concertina inwards. Figure 16(b) shows the lifting frame 1600 partially collapsed, and Figure 16(c) shows the lifting frame fully collapsed.

Once fully collapsed, the side plates 1608 are folded into the footprint of the lower frame 1604. As such, the side plates 1608 are also hingedly coupled to the lower frame 1604 by hinges 1616. The side plates may be coupled with one, two or more hinges. Figure 16d shows one side plate 1608 folded down, Figure 16(e) shows all four side plates 1608 folded down. As can be seen, once collapsed the total height of the lifting frame is approximately the height of the lower frame plus the upper frame.

Moving now to Figures 17(a) to 17(e), an alternative to the levers used to rotate the engaging means is shown. The other features of the lifting system 1700 are similar to those shown and described above with respect to Figures 1 to 13. In addition, as will be appreciated, the lower frame 1702 of this example can be used in the lifting systems shown in Figures 14 to 16.

-20The means of operating the engaging means in the example shown in Figures 17, is a removable key, instead of a lever. As can be seen in Figure 17(b), the key 1706 engages with a radial arm 1702 provided at the end of the shaft of the engaging means. The radial arm 1702 is similar to the radial arm 308 described above, and is coupled to the equivalent radial arm provided on the other engaging means by an elongate rod 1704. In addition, the radial arm 1702 comprises two holes 1708, which are configured to received the key 1706. The key comprises two elongate members, or prongs, 1710, and a handle 1712 to enable the user to rotate the engaging means from the first position (shown in Figure 17(c)) to the second position (shown in Figure 17(b)).

As shown in Figure 17(d) a cover plate 1714, provided to cover the portion of the lower frame containing the elongate rod 1704, comprises two arcuate slots 1716, which enable the key 1706 to be inserted into the holes of the radial arm 1702 and rotate from a first position to a second position. Rotating the key from the first position to the second position rotates the first engaging means and the second engaging means from the first unengaged position to the second engagable position.

The key 1706 may be attached to the lifting frame by a cable (not shown) or the like to prevent it from being lost.

Claims

1. A lifting system comprising:

a lifting frame configured to extend around a materials support apparatus, the frame comprising:

a first engaging means rotatably coupled to a first side of the frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus;

a second engaging means rotatably coupled to a second side of the frame, having an engaging surface configured to engage with a materials support apparatus; and operating means, operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the operating means rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position, the engaging means being engagable with a materials support apparatus when in the second position.

2. A lifting system according to Claim 1, wherein the operating means comprises a first lever coupled at a medial point to the lifting frame, a distal end of the first lever operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means.

3. A lifting system according to Claim 2, wherein the operating means comprises a second lever coupled at a medial point to the lifting frame on an opposing side to the first lever, a distal end of the second lever operably coupled to the first engaging means and to the second engaging means, such that movement of the second lever also rotates the engaging means from a first position to a second position.

4. A lifting system according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first engaging means comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface, and the second engaging means comprises a plurality of engaging lugs, each lug comprising an engaging surface.

5. A lifting system according to Claim 4, wherein the first set of engaging lugs are spaced apart along a first shaft, and the second set of engaging lugs are spaced apart along a second shaft, the operating means being operably coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft for rotating the engaging lugs.

-226. A lifting system according to Claim 5, wherein:

the first shaft comprises a first radial arm, a medial point of the first radial arm being coupled to a first end of the first shaft, the second shaft comprises a second radial arm, a proximal end of the second radial arm being coupled to a first end of the second shaft, and wherein, the first radial arm is coupled to the operating means, and a second end of the first radial is coupled to the distal end of the second radial arm by an elongate rod.

7. A lifting system according Claim 6, when dependent on Claim 2 or 3, wherein a first end of the first radial arm is coupled to the distal end of the first lever by a further elongate rod.

8. A lifting system according to Claim 6, wherein the operating means comprises a removable key configured to be operably couplable to the first radial arm.

9. A lifting system according to Claim 8, wherein the first radial arm comprises at least one slot configured to receive the removable key.

10. A lifting system according to Claim 9, wherein the first radial arm comprises a plurality of holes configured to receive the removable key, the removable key comprising a corresponding plurality of elongate members configured to be insertable into said holes.

11. A lifting system according to any of Claims 6 to 10, wherein:

the first shaft comprises a third radial arm, a proximal end of the third radial arm being coupled to a second end of the first shaft, the second shaft comprises a fourth radial arm, a medial point of the fourth radial arm being coupled to a second end of the second shaft, and wherein, the distal end of the third radial arm is coupled to a first end of fourth radial arm by a third elongate rod.

12. A lifting system according to Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 3, wherein a second end of the fourth radial arm is coupled to the distal end of the second lever by a fourth elongate rod.

-2313. A lifting system according to Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein the removable key is configured to be operably couplable to any of the radial arms.

14. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging means is configured to be retained wholly within the lifting frame when in the first position.

15. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging means comprises a first stop configured to abut the lifting frame when the engaging means is in the second position.

16. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging means comprises a second stop configured to abut the lifting frame when the engaging means is in the second position.

17. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging surface comprises a hook portion for engaging with a materials support apparatus, the tip of the hook facing the upper frame when the engaging means is in the second position.

18. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner periphery of the lifting frame is tapered to locate the materials support apparatus.

19. A lifting system according to any of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the engaging means comprises an elongate plate, a first side of the plate forming the engaging surface.

20. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting frame comprises a plurality of lifting eyes, disposed at the corners of the lifting frame.

21. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting frame comprises a lower frame and an upper frame coupled to the lower frame, the first engaging means and the second engaging means being rotatably coupled to opposing sides of the lower frame.

22. A lifting system according to Claim 21, wherein the upper frame is coupled to the lower frame by a plurality of elongate members.

-2423. A lifting system according to Claim 22, wherein the operating means is coupled to one of the plurality of elongate members coupling the upper frame to the lower frame.

24. A lifting system according to Claim 23, wherein the operating means is recessed in the elongate member, the elongate member having a u-shaped cross-section.

25. A lifting system according to Claim 24, wherein the u-shaped elongate member comprises a cover for partially enclosing the lever, a handle end of the lever being exposed.

26. A lifting system according to any of Claims 22 to 25, wherein each elongate member is telescopic for adjusting the height of the lifting frame.

27. A lifting system according to Claim 26, wherein each telescopic elongate member comprises:

a first member having a first end coupled to the lower frame and a second end comprising a through hole; and a second member having a first end coupled to the upper frame and a second end comprising a plurality of through holes each hole being at a different distance from the second end, the second member being receivable in the second end of the first member; and a locking pin, wherein the locking pin is configured to be received through the through hole of the first member and one of the through holes in the second member to lock the first member to the second member.

28. A lifting system according to Claims 21 to 27, wherein the lifting frame comprises meshing provided between the elongate members.

29. A lifting system according to Claim 28, wherein the meshing is formed of metal.

30. A lifting system according to any of Claims 21 to 29, wherein the upper frame comprises a cross-member extending from a first side of the upper frame to a second side of the upper frame, the cross-member having a lifting eye.

-2531. A lifting system according to Claim 21, wherein the upper frame is coupled to the lower frame by solely by a flexible mesh.

32. A lifting system according to Claim 21, wherein the upper frame is coupled to the lower frame by a plurality of collapsible elongate members.

33. A lifting system according to Claim 32, wherein each collapsible elongate member is hinged at a medial point along its length, and hingedly coupled to the upper frame and to the lower frame.

34. A lifting system according to Claim 32 or 33, further comprising a plurality of sheets, hingedly coupled to each side of the lower frame, each sheet foldable into the interior of the lower frame to enable the plurality of collapsible elongate members to collapse to reduce the height of the lifting frame.

35. A lifting system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a materials support apparatus comprising:

a frame extending around the periphery of the support apparatus; and a surface, supported by the frame, for supporting materials to be lifted, wherein, the frame comprises at least two engaging portions configured to be engagable by the engaging means.

36. A lifting system according to Claim 35, wherein, when both the lifting frame and the materials support apparatus are resting on the ground, the distance from the ground to the engaging portions of the materials support apparatus frame is greater than the distance from the ground to the engaging surface of each engaging means.

37. A lifting system according to Claim 35 or 36, wherein each engaging portion comprises a channel, each channel disposed along opposing edges of the frame.

38. A lifting system according to Claim 37, wherein the frame comprises four engaging portions, one on each edge of the frame, each channel having substantially equal longitudinal length.

-2639. A lifting system according to any of Claims 35 to

39, wherein the materials support device is a pallet.

40. A lifting system according to Claim 39, wherein the pallet comprises channels, disposed on the opposite side of the frame to the surface for supporting materials, configured to engage with forks of a lifting device.

41. A lifting system according to Claim 35 to 40, wherein the materials support device comprises a plurality of wheels operably coupled to the frame, such that a wheeled truck is formed.

42. A lifting system according to Claim 41, further comprising a handle, coupled to the materials support device, for enabling a user to manoeuvre the wheeled truck.

43. A materials support apparatus, for use with a lifting system according to any of Claims 1 to 34, the support apparatus comprising:

44. A materials support apparatus according to Claim 43, wherein the frame comprises four engaging portions, one on each edge of the frame, each engaging portion comprising a channel and having substantially equal longitudinal length.

45. A materials support apparatus according to Claim 43 or 44, wherein the materials support device is a pallet.

46. A materials support apparatus according to Claim 45, wherein the pallet comprises channels, disposed on the opposite side of the frame to the surface for support materials, configured to engage with the forks of a lifting device.

-2Ί

47. A materials support apparatus according to Claim 43 to 46, wherein the materials support apparatus comprises a plurality of wheels operably coupled to the frame, such that a wheeled truck is formed.

48. A materials support apparatus according to Claim 47, further comprising a handle, coupled to the materials support apparatus, for enabling a user to manoeuvre the wheeled truck.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1613479.3