IL275816B2 - A portable lifting machine - Google Patents

Description

LIOR-101-IL- - 1 - A PORTABLE LIFTING MACHINE Technical Field The present invention relates to lifting machines. More particularly, to lifting machines used for hoisting building materials in construction sites. Background A building is typically constructed, at first, as a framework with openings for windows, balconies, walls, etc. During the construction, it is necessary to lift heavy loads, such as building materials, onto the levels of the framework, without the aid of an attached loading platform. Typically, a crane, or a rooftop winch, maybe used for lifting heavy loads to the different levels of the framework of the building. However, a typical crane or a rooftop winch is very bulky and limited as it is required to lift heavy loads for long vertical distances, especially during the construction of very tall structures, such as buildings and skyscrapers. US 3,789,565 discloses a method and system of erecting tower buildings. The disclosed method comprises providing each segment of the tower with at least one beam or profile member to serve as a guide for a crane adapted to realize mounting of said segments, causing the beam or profile members on the building to form for the crane a continuous track which is extended as each further segment is mounted, and constructing the crane so that it can perform an upward climbing movement on the outer side of the building as the building progresses.

LIOR-101-IL- - 2 - It would therefore be desired to propose a system void of the deficiencies discussed above. Summary It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting machine for hoisting loads in a construction site. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting machine, for hoisting loads during construction of a building, which is attached to the outer side of the building. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting machine, for hoisting loads, which may be folded and moved from one level of a building to another. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting machine, for hoisting loads during construction of a building, where the arm of the lifting machine can change its angle, right or left, in relations to the building. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable lifting machine, for hoisting loads during construction of a building, which can easily be moved from one side of the building to another side of the building. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

LIOR-101-IL- - 3 - The present invention relates to a portable lifting machine for hoisting loads during the construction of a building comprising: (a) a frame, attached to the outer side of said building; (b) a foldable arm, attached at its proximal side, by an axle, to said frame; (c) a trolley, located in said arm, for moving back and forth in said arm; (d) attaching means, connected to said trolley, for attaching and hoisting said loads; (e) a winch for lifting and lowering said attaching means and said loads attached to said attaching means, where said winch is also used for lifting and lowering the distal part of said foldable arm; and (f) wherein said portable lifting machine can be moved from a first level of said building to a second level of said building by folding said foldable arm first and then moving said portable lifting machine from a first level of said building to a second level of said building. Preferably, the arm is supported by tension cables. Preferably, the tension cables are held by tension plates. Preferably, the tension plates are attached to the top of the frame. Preferably, the portable lifting machine is connected to the outer side of the building by upper supports attached to upper bases and by bottom supports attached to bottom bases. Preferably, the upper bases and bottom bases are preinstalled on the framework of the building. Preferably, the attaching means is a lifting beam.

LIOR-101-IL- - 4 - In one embodiment, the lifting machine can move its arm in an angle sideways. In one embodiment, the lifting machine can move horizontally, on rails. Preferably, the winch, of said lifting machine, is also used for lifting said lifting machine by arranging a cable over the top pulley, on the building, and onto said winch, where said cable is pulled by said winch for lifting the lifting machine to the second level. In one embodiment, the lifting machine, further comprises a least one tension sensor, which is attached between the top of the frame and the building, for monitoring the stress and tension on the lifting machine. The present invention also relates to a method for moving a portable lifting machine during the construction of a building comprising: (a) providing a frame; (b) providing a foldable arm attached by an axle, at its proximal side, to said frame; (c) providing tension plates for attaching to the top of said frame; (d) providing support cables that are held by tension plates for holding and balancing said arm; (e) providing a winch for hoisting loads and for lifting and lowering the distal part of said foldable arm; (f) lifting the distal part of said arm, by said winch and thereby loosening said support cables; (g) releasing said tension plates while said distal part of said arm is lifted and said support cables are loosened; (h) folding said arm, by dropping the distal part of said arm and allowing the proximal side of said foldable arm to rotate in relations to said frame; (i) moving said portable lifting machine, from a first level to a second level, while said arm is folded; and (j) unfolding said arm, by lifting said distal part of said arm thereby allowing LIOR-101-IL- - 5 - the proximal side, of said foldable arm, to rotate in relations to said frame for reconnecting said tension plates. Preferably, the winch, of said lifting machine, is also used for lifting said lifting machine to the second level. Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings, and specific references to their details, are herein used, by way of example only, to illustratively describe some of the embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: - Fig. 1 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 2 is a side diagram of a part of the portable lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 3a is a side diagram of the upper support, of the lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 3b is a side diagram of the upper base, attached to the building, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 3c is a side diagram of the bottom support, of the lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 3d is a side diagram of the bottom base, attached to the building, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 4 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, before starting to fold the arm, according to an embodiment of the invention.

LIOR-101-IL- - 6 - - Fig. 5 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, when starting to fold the arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 6 is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, when continuing to fold the arm, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 7 is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, during folding, when the arm’s distal part is beginning to fall, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 8a is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, when the arm is folded down, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 8b is a magnified diagram of the proximal part of the arm when the arm is folded down, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 9 is a perspective diagram of a part of the portable lifting machine, while the lifting machine is moved from one level to the next, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 10 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine, after the lifting machine has been moved to the second level, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 11 is a perspective diagram of another portable lifting machine that can move its arm sideways, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 12 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine that moves its arm sideways, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 13 is a perspective diagram of a portable lifting machine that can move horizontally on a rail, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 14 is a perspective diagram of another portable lifting machine that can move horizontally on a rail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

LIOR-101-IL- - 7 - - Fig. 15 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine lifting a lifting beam, according to an embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 16 is a perspective diagram of part of the portable lifting machine with hydraulic sensors, according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description The terms of "front", "rear", "down", "up", "bottom", "upper", or any reference to sides or directions are used throughout the description for the sake of brevity alone and are relative terms only and not intended to require a particular component orientation. The term "building" is meant to include any finished or unfinished structure or construction having more than one level, on the ground or underground. Fig. 1 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. The depicted lifting machine 100 may be used for hoisting loads from one level to another during the construction of a building. The lifting machine 100 may have a foldable arm 200 which is attached to a frame 300. The frame 300 may be the main structure of the portable lifting machine and may be attached to the levels of the building 900. The frame 300 may be attached to the outer side of the building’s framework 900. The lifting machine 100 may have a trolley 400 which may be moved back and forth along the arm 200, e.g. distally and proximally in relations to the building. The trolley 400 may have a connected chain or a hook 402, for hoisting loads, such as building materials. The trolley 400 may be moved back and forth by an engine (not shown) which may be located on the arm 200, under the service bay 313, or in any other suitable place. A LIOR-101-IL- - 8 - winch 500, or any other suitable engine, may be used for lifting and lowering the hook 402, and its attached load, by pulling load cable 502, or by any other cables or means. For example, after a load is attached to the hook 402, the winch 500 may lift the load from the ground to a certain height and the trolley 400 may be moved, in order to the move the load closer to the building. In one embodiment the lifting machine may be used for lifting loads from the ground and into the levels of the building. In one embodiment the lifting machine may be used for lifting windows or other aluminum works for attaching to the outer side of the building. In one embodiment the lifting machine may be used for lifting metals or any other works that may be held close to the outer side of the building while welders can weld the metal to building. In one embodiment, the service bay 313 may be designed for allowing the presence of a human operator, who can operate the lifting machine from the service bay 313. In one embodiment, the arm 200, as depicted in Fig. 1, may be further held and balanced by tension cables 605, where the tension cables may be held by tension plates 601-602. Tension plates 601-602 may be fixtures, metal brackets, or any other overhanging members that can support the tension cables. The tension plates 601-602 may be attached to the top of the frame 300. In one embodiment, the top of the frame 300 and/or the tension plates 601-602 may also be secured by support cables 611-612 to the building 900. The tension cables 605 and tension plates 601-602 may help with the hoisting of loads, by holding and balancing the length of the arm 200, especially when heavy loads are lifted by the lifting machine. In one embodiment some of the weight of the arm and the load is divided by the tension cables. In one embodiment, 6 tension cables are used. In one embodiment, 8 tension cables are used. In other embodiments, other numbers of tension cables may be LIOR-101-IL- - 9 - used. In some embodiments, other tension techniques may be used, for holding and balancing the arm 200, as known in the art. Fig. 2 is a side diagram of a part of the portable lifting machine 100, described in relations to Fig. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The portable lifting machine 100 may be connected to the outer side of the building by upper supports, such as upper support 301, and by bottom supports, such as bottom support 311, the supports will be described in greater details later on in relations to Figs. 3a-d. The upper supports may be attached to the upper bases, such as upper base 901, which may be preinstalled on the framework of the building 900. The bottom supports may be easily attached to the bottom bases, such as bottom base 911, which may be preinstalled on the framework of the building 900. Fig. 3a is a side diagram of the upper support 301 of the lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3b is a side diagram of the upper base 901 attached to the building, according to an embodiment of the invention. Upper base 901 may be a pin that is fastened by screws, or any other mechanism, on a level of the framework, of the building that is being constructed. Upper support 301, which may be fastened by screws, or any other mechanism, to the upper side of frame 300 may have a hole (not shown) at its upper part in order to fit over the upper base 901. Upper base 901 may have a securing mechanism 906 which may be locked over upper support 301 once the upper support 301 has been fitted over upper base 901. As depicted in Figs. 1-2, the frame 300 may have 2 upper supports, according to an embodiment. The frame 300 may have more than 2 upper supports, according to another embodiment. In other embodiments other upper supports and other upper bases may be used as known in the art.

LIOR-101-IL- - 10 - Fig. 3c is a side diagram of the bottom support 311 of the lifting machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3d is a side diagram of the bottom base 911 attached to the building, according to an embodiment of the invention. Bottom base 911 may be fastened by screws, or any other mechanism, on a level of the framework, of the building that is being constructed, and may have a horizontal pin 916. Bottom support 3which may be fastened by screws, or any other mechanism, to the bottom side of frame 300, may have a designated cavity, at its bottom part, in order to easily fit over the pin 916 and the bottom base 911. As depicted in Figs. 1-the frame 300 may have 2 bottom supports, according to an embodiment. The frame 300 may have more than 2 bottom supports, according to another embodiment. In other embodiments other bottom supports and other bottom bases may be used as known in the art. In some embodiments, a number of upper bases, such as upper base 901, and a number of bottom bases, such as base 901, may be fastened to a number of levels of the building such that the lifting beam may be lifted and moved from one level to another by detaching the supports from the bases of one level, moving the lifting beam and reattaching the supports to the bases of another level. In one example, the top bases and bottom bases are attached to the top and bottom of each 10th floor of the building’s framework respectively, thus the lifting beam may be lifted and moved from floor 10 to floor 20, then to floor 30, and so on. Fig. 4 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, before folding of the arm 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an auxiliary pulley 523 may be added, inter alia, in relations to the lifting machine depicted in Fig. 1-2, in order to assist with the folding of the arm 200. The auxiliary pulley 523 may be attached by cables to the arm 200. At LIOR-101-IL- - 11 - first, before folding the arm 200, the hook 402 may be either lifted up or taken off, so as not to interfere with the folding of the arm 200. Then, according to an embodiment, the trolley 400 may be locked in place, manually or automatically, to prevent the trolley 400 from moving back and forth, on the arm 200, during the folding of the arm 200. Fig. 5 is a diagram of a portable lifting machine, when starting to fold the arm 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the load cable 502 may be retied and threaded over auxiliary pulley 523 and over top pulley 701, as depicted. Then, according to an embodiment, the load cable 502 is locked and loosened. Fig. 6 is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, when continuing to fold the arm 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the center pin, that holds pulley 523, may be removed and the load cable 502, that was threaded over auxiliary pulley 523, may be pulled by winch 500 while pulley 523 is floating. Thus, when the winch 500 continues to pull cable 502, in order to pull upwards the distal end of foldable arm 200, the winch’s power is multiplied by pulley 523, similar to the known effect of the "gun tackle pulley system". Thus, since the proximal end of foldable arm 200 is held by the axle 223 to the frame 300, when the winch 500 pulls cable 502 the arm’s distal end is lifted, i.e. the end of the arm 200 that is far from the building rises upwards in relations to the frame 300. When the arm’s distal end is lifted, the support cables, such as support cable 605, are typically loosened. At this stage, the tension plates, such as tension plate 601, may be released from their attachment to the top of the frame 300, by releasing the attachment pin or by any other method. After the tension plates are released, the winch 500 may loosen cable 502 for allowing the arm 2distal end to start falling downwards, e.g. drop. In one embodiment, the LIOR-101-IL- - 12 - tension plates may also be held by a loose string or cable (not shown) to the top of the frame 300, thus, when the tension plates are released the tension plates can tangle, on the end of the rope, from the top of the frame 300 as to prevent the tension plates and cables from falling off altogether. Fig. 7 is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, during folding, when the arm’s 200 distal part is beginning to fall, according to an embodiment of the invention. Once the winch 500 loosens cable 502, the arm 200 distal end starts falling while the arm’s proximal end turns on the axle 223. In one embodiment a hollow bracket 234 may be attached to the proximal part of the arm 200 and to the bottom of the service bay 313 by screws, pins, etc. Thus, when the arm’s 200 distal part starts falling the distance between the screws in the bracket, e.g. the screws of the service bay and the screws of the arm, may expand and the bracket may start moving downwards until each of the screws reaches the respective end of the bracket 234. This feature will be described, in greater detail, later on, in relations to Fig. 8b. In one embodiment, the portable lifting machine has 2 hollow bracket, such as hollow bracket 234. Fig. 8a is a diagram of the portable lifting machine, when the arm is folded down, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8b is a magnified diagram of the proximal part of the arm 200 when the arm is folded down, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the arm 200 distal end has fallen downwards, after winch 5loosened cable 502, where the proximal end of foldable arm 200 is held by the axle 223 to the frame 300 and by the bracket 234 to the service bay 313. In one embodiment, the arm 200 distal end can be dropped downwards, until the screws in the bracket 234 reach the end of their limited holes in the bracket 234. At this stage the screws, such as screw 237, may be fastened to LIOR-101-IL- - 13 - bracket 234 in order to lock the arm 200 in this folded position in relations to the frame 300. In one embodiment the hollow bracket may have one narrow hole for a screw on one side and a wide hole for another screw to move within for a second screw. Other hollow brackets and other controlling means may be used for controlling the falling of the distal end of the arm and locking the arm in the folded position. In one embodiment, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is almost a straight angle. In another embodiment, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is an obtuse angle. In one embodiment, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is calculated so as to have the center of gravity of the lifting arm proximally under the top pulley 711, described later on in relations to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a perspective diagram of a part of the portable lifting machine, while the lifting machine is moved from one level to the next, according to an embodiment of the invention. Once the arm has been folded, as described in relations to Figs. 4-8b, the portable lifting machine 100 can be moved from a first level to a second level. In order to move the lifting machine, a top pulley 711 may be attached to the top of the second level. In one embodiment the top pulley 711 may be fastened by cables (not shown), or any other means, to the framework of the building in order to stabilize the top pulley 711. In one embodiment, the top pulley 711 may be the same top pulley of the first level (depicted as top pulley 701 in Fig. 5) after it has been removed from the first level and reattached to the top of the second level. In some embodiments, the top pulley of the first level, may be left at the top of the first level, and may have an axle at its bottom part, where it may be folded onto the building, as to not interfere with the movement of the lifting machine, when moving the lifting machine. In one embodiment, the top pulley of the first level is connected to a triangle held by an axle at its bottom angle where the triangle can be turned to rest, on one of its sides, in order to fold the top pulley onto LIOR-101-IL- - 14 - the building. The top bases, such as top base 901, and bottom bases, such as bottom base 911 may be attached to the top and bottom of the second floor, respectively, as described in relations to Figs 1-3d. Once the top pulley 711, top and bottom bases, are in place, the cable 512, may be arranged over the top pulley 711. In one embodiment cable 512 may be the same cable 5described in relations to Fig. 1-8a. In an embodiment, the cable 512, may be arranged over the top pulley 711 and onto the winch 500. The cable 512 may be pulled by the winch in the lifting machine, such as winch 500 described in relations to Fig. 1, or by any other means, for lifting the folded lifting machine 100 to the second level. Other lifting techniques may be used as known in the art. When the lifting machine 100 is pulled up, its bottom supports (not shown) may be fitted over the bottom bases and its top supports may be fitted over the top bases, as described in relations to Figs. 3a-d. Fig. 10 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine, after the lifting machine has been moved to the second level, according to an embodiment of the invention. Once the lifting machine 100 has been moved and the top and bottom supports have been fitted and secured over the top and bottom bases, respectively, the arm 200 is ready to be unfolded. The arm 200, may be unfolded, by reversing the process steps described in relations to Figs. 4-8b. In one embodiment, after the portable lifting machine has been lifted, from one level to another, the arm 200 is first unlocked from its folded position, in relation to the frame, by releasing the screws of the bracket that is attached between the bottom of the service bay and the proximal side of the arm. At this stage the arm 200 may be unfolded by lifting the distal part of the arm 200. In one embodiment, the cable 502 of winch 500 may be retied and threaded over auxiliary pulley 523 and over top pulley 701, as shown in Fig. 8a. Thus, when the winch 500 pulls cable 502, LIOR-101-IL- - 15 - the arm’s distal end is lifted upwards in relations to the frame 300, as shown in Fig. 7. When the arm’s distal part is lifted above the height of the proximal part, as shown in Fig. 6, the tension plates, such as tension plate 601, may be reconnected to the top of the frame 300, by reinserting the attachment pin of the tension plates which attaches the tension plates to the top of the frame 300. Once the tension plates have been attached, the cable 502 may be loosened and the arm may lean on its support cables, such as support cable 605, as shown in Fig. 5. Then the cable 502 may be retied, taken from pulley 523 and threaded for hoisting loads as depicted in Fig. 4. At this stage the lifting arm may be ready for lifting loads again. Thus, the portable lifting machine 100 may be lifted from one level to another and back again. In one embodiment, after folding, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is almost a straight angle. In another embodiment, after folding, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is an obtuse angle. In one embodiment, after folding, the angle between the folded arm and the frame is calculated so as to have the center of gravity of the lifting machine proximally under the top pulley 711, described in relations to Fig. 9. In one embodiment, the trolley 400 may be moved, along the arm, during folding, as to change the center of gravity of the lifting machine. In some embodiments the folding of the arm of the lifting machine may be done in order to allow other cranes in the vicinity to operate without interference. In one embodiment, the lifting machine may be used as a standalone, without the use of a crane or any other machine, meaning, that the lifting machine may be bought to a construction site and the lifting machine itself LIOR-101-IL- - 16 - may be used to lift it to a level of the building, in the construction yard, as described above, for using it as a lifting machine. Fig. 11 is a perspective diagram of another portable lifting machine that can move its arm sideways, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the frame 309 and other parts of the lifting machine 109 may be positioned inside 2 circular rails, such top circular rail 391 and bottom circular rail 392. In one embodiment, the circular rails may be fastened by support beams such as beam 395. Fig. 12 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine that moves its arm sideways, according to an embodiment of the invention. As described in relations to Fig. 11 the arm 208, and other parts of the lifting machine, may change their angle, in relations to the building, and the distal part of the arm 208 may be moved sideways by turning the frame 309 in the circular rails 391 and 392. Thus, in this embodiment the lifting machine can be used to lift loads up/down, back/forth on the arm, and right/left. In one embodiment the arm may be moved in an angle of 180°, from right to left, in relations to the building. In this embodiment, the described lifting machine may be folded and moved from one level to another similar to the described in relations to Figs. 4-10. In one embodiment a number of supports, such as support 395, are built on different levels, of the building, and the circular rails 391 and 392 may be moved, together with the lifting machine, from one level to another. In other embodiments other techniques may be used for turning the arm of the lifting machine sideways as known in the art. Fig. 13 is a perspective diagram of a portable lifting machine that can move horizontally on a rail, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment instead of upper and lower bases, as described in relations LIOR-101-IL- - 17 - to Figs. 1-10, the lifting machine may be held on rails. In one embodiment the lifting machine is held on 2 monorails, upper monorail 371 and bottom monorail 372, which may be attached to the building’s levels. The frame 307, of the lifting machine 107, may have a holder 377 for holding the lifting machine 107 onto the monorail 371, and the holder 377 may have wheels for horizontally moving the lifting machine 107, on the monorail 371. In one embodiment, the lifting machine 107, may also have a holder for holding the lifting machine 107 onto the bottom monorail 372, and the holder may have wheels for horizontally moving the lifting machine 107, on the bottom monorail 372. Thus, in this embodiment the lifting machine can be used to lift loads up/down, back/forth on the arm, and right/left while sliding right/left on the monorails. In this embodiment, the described lifting machine may be folded and moved from one level to another similar to the described in relations to Figs. 4-10 where the lifting machine may be moved from one set of monorails, such as monorails 371-372, to another set of monorails. Fig. 14 is a perspective diagram of another portable lifting machine that can move horizontally on rails, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the depicted rails are closer to the building than the rails depicted in relation to Fig. 13. In this embodiment the lifting machine is held on 2 rails, upper monorail 361 and bottom monorail 362. The frame 306, of the lifting machine 106, may have a holder 367 for holding the lifting machine 106 onto the monorail 361, and the holder 367 may have wheels for horizontally moving the lifting machine 106, on the monorail 361. In one embodiment, the lifting machine 106, may also have a holder for holding the lifting machine 106 onto the bottom monorail 362, and the holder may have wheels for horizontally moving the lifting machine 106, on the bottom monorail 362. Thus, in this embodiment the lifting machine can be used to lift loads up/down, back/forth on the arm, and right/left while sliding LIOR-101-IL- - 18 - right/left on the monorails. In this embodiment, the described lifting machine may be folded and moved from one level to another similar to the described in relations to Figs. 4-10 where the lifting machine may be moved from one set of monorails, such as monorails 361-362, to another set of monorails. In other embodiments other techniques may be used for moving the lifting machine sideways as known in the art. In some embodiments one monorail or more may be vertically attached to the framework of the building and the lifting machine may be vertically moved on the rail(s). Fig. 15 is a perspective diagram of the portable lifting machine lifting a lifting beam, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the lifting machine 100 lifts a multi task lifting beam 150. The lifting beam 150 may be used for lifting loads and inserting the loads into the building. Thus, the lifting machine can lift loads and insert them into the building using the multi task lifting beam 150. In other embodiments the lifting beam 150 may be hooked to the trolley of the portable lifting machine that moves its arm sideways or the lifting machine that moves on rails as described in relations to Figs. 11-14. Fig. 16 is a perspective diagram of part of the portable lifting machine with hydraulic sensors, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a least one tension sensor, such as the hydraulic sensor 661, may be attached between the top of the frame 300 and the building 900. The tension sensors may be used in order to monitor the stress and tension on the lifting machine 100. For example, if the tension sensors indicate a very strong pulling force stress, then the operator, of the lifting machine, may know that the lifting machine is trying to lift a heavy load which may be too heavy for LIOR-101-IL- - 19 - the lifting machine. On the other hand, if the tension sensors indicate an under-normal weak pulling force stress, then the operator may know that one of the cables has been loosened, cut, or damaged and that the lifting machine isn’t fully operable. In one embodiment the portable lifting machine may be used to lift loads that may weigh 200-400Kg. In one embodiment the portable lifting machine may be used to lift loads that may weigh 2-4 tons. In one embodiment the portable lifting machine may be used to lift loads that may weigh 4-6 tons. In one embodiment the portable lifting machine may be used to lift loads that may weigh more than 6 tons. In one embodiment, the length of the arm is 15 meters. In some embodiments the length of the arm of the lifting machine may be an extendable. In some embodiments the building is a structure of more than 10 levels. While the above description discloses many embodiments and specifications of the invention, these were described by way of illustration and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. The described invention may be carried into practice with many modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1.LIOR-101-IL- - 20 - Claims 1. A portable lifting machine for hoisting loads during the construction of a building comprising: a frame, attached to the outer side of said building; a foldable arm, attached at its proximal side, by an axle, to said frame; a trolley, located in said arm, for moving back and forth in said arm; attaching means, connected to said trolley, for attaching and hoisting said loads; a winch for lifting and lowering said attaching means and said loads attached to said attaching means, where said winch is also used for lifting and lowering the distal part of said foldable arm; and wherein said portable lifting machine can be moved from a first level of said building to a second level of said building by folding said foldable arm first and then moving said portable lifting machine from a first level of said building to a second level of said building.

2. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the arm is supported by tension cables.

3. A portable lifting machine according to claim 2, where the tension cables are held by tension plates.

4. A portable lifting machine according to claim 3, where the tension plates are attached to the top of the frame.

5. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the portable lifting machine is connected to the outer side of the building by upper LIOR-101-IL- - 21 - supports attached to upper bases and by bottom supports attached to bottom bases.

6. A portable lifting machine according to claim 5, where the upper bases and bottom bases are preinstalled on the framework of the building.

7. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the attaching means is a lifting beam.

8. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the lifting machine can move its arm in an angle sideways.

9. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the lifting machine can move horizontally, on rails.

10. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, where the winch, of said lifting machine, is also used for lifting said lifting machine by arranging a cable over the top pulley, on the building, and onto said winch, where said cable is pulled by said winch for lifting the lifting machine to the second level.

11. A portable lifting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a least one tension sensor, which is attached between the top of the frame and the building, for monitoring the stress and tension on the lifting machine.

12. A method for moving a portable lifting machine during the construction of a building comprising: providing a frame; providing a foldable arm attached by an axle, at its proximal side, to said frame; providing tension plates for attaching to the top of said frame; providing support cables that are held by tension plates for holding and balancing said arm; providing a winch for hoisting loads and for lifting and lowering the distal part of said foldable arm; LIOR-101-IL- - 22 - lifting the distal part of said arm, by said winch and thereby loosening said support cables; releasing said tension plates while said distal part of said arm is lifted and said support cables are loosened; folding said arm, by dropping the distal part of said arm and allowing the proximal side of said foldable arm to rotate in relations to said frame; moving said portable lifting machine, from a first level to a second level, while said arm is folded; and unfolding said arm, by lifting said distal part of said arm thereby allowing the proximal side, of said foldable arm, to rotate in relations to said frame for reconnecting said tension plates.

13. A method according to claim 12, where the portable lifting machine is connected to the outer side of the building by upper supports attached to upper bases and by bottom supports attached to bottom bases.

14. A method according to claim 12, where the winch, of said lifting machine, is also used for lifting said lifting machine to the second level.

15. A method according to claim 12, further providing a least one tension sensor, which is attached between the top of the frame and the building, for monitoring the stress and tension on the lifting machine.