AU2014204487B2

AU2014204487B2 - Mobile support device

Info

Publication number: AU2014204487B2
Application number: AU2014204487A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Corey FISHER
Original assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-18
Filing date: 2014-07-17
Publication date: 2017-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-17
Also published as: AU2014204487A1

Abstract

A mobile support device in the form of a workman's trolley for use in manhandling and transporting autoclaved aerated 5 concrete building panels which has a mainframe support section forming a planar surface upon which the panel is located. The trolley is provided with an inboard wheel assembly about which the mainframe can be pivoted or tilted to adopt a forwardly directed inclined orientation 10 to assist loading of the panel onto the trolley, and a rearwardly directed oppositely inclined orientation to assist unloading of the panel from the trolley. The trolley is also provided with a selectively movable support arm selectively movable between a downwardly 15 depending support position for supporting the mainframe to convert the trolley into a workbench for performing work operations on the panel, and a folded clearance position in which the arm is folded either partially or wholly in alignment with, and underneath the mainframe to enable the 20 trolley to be wheeled to transport the panel from one location to another location using a handle extending from the mainframe. The advantage of the trolley is that installation of the panels can now be accomplished by one workman working singlehandedly without assistance from 25 others. 5585087.1 (GHMallers) P93889 AU.1 sifi x/e/f If/ r~ m / c

Description

MOBILE SUPPORT DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present, invention relates to mobile support devices for use in handling building components during construction of and/or renovation of a building.

In one form, the present invention relates to a mobile support device for use in handling building components in the form of building panels having one or more planar faces, sides or surfaces, particularly a pair of opposed faces in spaced apart relationship to one another.

In one form, the present invention relates to a mobile support device in the form of a trolley having a rolling member for ease of rolling the trolley when travelling over uneven surfaces for transporting the building panels, particularly building panels in the form of a slab, block, plate, platter, partition or similar.

The present invention finds particular application as a wheeled hand trolley having a generally planar supporting structure for supporting a flat building panel in the form of a slab, to transport the panel from one location to another location, particularly over uneven ground encountered on a building site, worksite or similar.

In one form, the present invention finds particular application as a wheeled hand trolley having a main frame support portion for supporting a building panel in the form of a slab, block or similar to assist in moving the panel around a worksite for installing the building panel in a building being constructed and/or renovated.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or other embodiment of the invention in the form of a trolley or similar, it is to be noted that the scope of the invention is not limited to the described embodiment or embodiments but rather, the scope of protection afforded by the invention extends to include other forms and arrangements of the trolley, and/or of the individual components of the trolley, and to the use of the various forms and arrangements of the trolley in applications other than described.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Building components are available in a range of different forms, types, shapes, styles and weights. One form of a building component is a building panel. Generally, building panels are of a parallelepiped shape having side edges of relatively small dimensions corresponding to the thickness of the panels and two substantially flat and smooth faces or surfaces corresponding to the length and width of the panels, being the obverse face and reverse face. The obverse face is separated from the reverse face by the thickness of the panel. The appearance of the two faces can be substantially the same or different depending upon the use and location of the panel within the building.

Some building panels are not only large and awkward to carry because of the individual dimensions of the panel, but due to the material from which the panels are manufactured, are also heavy so that their manhandling and installation, including lifting and transporting the panels from one location to another location, requires the services and efforts of at least two workmen to lift, move and place the panels in position where required for installation as part of the building, such as for example, as part of a wall or similar. Often, two workmen are not available simultaneously at a worksite to lift and manhandle large size heavy panels which causes delays in construction by interrupting the smooth flow of work on the site, leading to an increase in the cost of a particular job, as well as producing frustration at the work site by the workmen not being able to complete the set tasks in sequence within the allocated time to enable the construction or renovation of the building to continue according to schedule.

Therefore, there is a need for a device which can be used by a single workman for lifting and/or transporting large sized, awkward or heavy building panels around a worksite without having to rely on the assistance of a second or another workman to assist with manhandling and/or transporting the building panel.

There is also a need for a device which can be used by a single workman to install a building panel on or in a building during construction and/or renovation of the building without requiring the services of a second or another workman to assist with the installation of the panel.

There is also a need for a device which can be used by a single workman as a bench for supporting a panel in a stable condition to allow the workman to safely perform work operations on the building component by securely supporting the panel.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for supporting a building panel to assist in installation of the panel in which installation of the panel is a single person operation.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a support device for use in handling and/or transporting a building panel from one location on a building site to another location on the building site without requiring additional assistance from another person to either load and/or unload the building panel onto and/or from the support device.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a support device which is able to be used as a stable work surface for supporting the panel enabling work operations to be performed on the building panel whilst the building panel is supported on the device.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mobile support device which can be used singlehandedly for installing a building panel in or on a building during construction and/or renovation of the building.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mobile support device which can be used by a single workman to handle and/or transport building panels, to provide a stable work platform for the panel when being worked upon, and to assist in installing the building panel on or in the building under construction and/or renovation.

It is to be noted that not all embodiments of the present invention will satisfy all aims or needs of the invention. Some embodiments will satisfy one aim, other embodiments will satisfy a different aim and some embodiments will satisfy two or more aims or needs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a mobile support device for handling a building panel comprising a mainframe including a multitude of interconnected framework elements arranged to form a substantially planar support surface for supporting the building panel thereon, a guide member selectively connectable to one of the multitude of framework elements forming the mainframe for guiding or controlling movement of the support device in use, a mobile assembly for facilitating movement of the support device from one location to another location in response to movement of the guide member, the support device being movable about the mobile assembly between a first tilted position being a loading position for facilitating loading of the building panel onto the device and a second tilted position being an unloading position for facilitating unloading of the building panel from the device, at least one pair of fixed angularly inclined struts extending between the mainframe and the mobile assembly, each strut having an upper end and a lower end, the respective upper ends of the pair of inclined struts being connected to one of the framework elements at spaced apart locations to one another in the lengthwise extending direction of the framework element, the respective lower ends of the pair of inclined struts being connected to one another and to the mobile assembly, and a selectively movable support member connected to one of the multitude of framework elements for being selectively movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when the support member is in the first configuration with respect to the framework element, the device is supported in a stable condition for supporting the panel thereon, and when the support member is in the second configuration, the device is able to be moved from one location to another location in response to corresponding movement of the guide member to move and/or position the support device, wherein when the mobile support device is in the first tilted loading position and in the second tilted unloading position the spacing apart of the respective upper ends of the pair of inclined struts remains fixed.

According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a method of handling a building panel using a mobile support device comprising the steps of positioning the mobile support device with respect to the building panel, locating a movable support member which is selectively movably connected to one of a multitude of framework elements interconnected together to form a mainframe of the mobile support device for supporting the building panel in a first position for adding stability to the mobile support device, said mainframe forming a substantially planar support surface for supporting the building panel thereon, locating the building panel on the mainframe such that the building panel is supported by the multitude of interconnected framework elements, moving the support member from the first position to a second position for allowing movement of the device about a mobile support assembly connected to the mainframe for supporting the mainframe, and moving the support device about the mobile assembly in response to movement of a guide member selectively connected to one or other of a multitude of interconnected framework elements to move the device to transport the panel to assist in handling of the building panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be noted that one form of the mobile support device is in the form of a trolley, and the trolley will be described as having a forward end or front corresponding to the end of the trolley having the guide member, and the end remote from the end having the guide member being described as the rear end or rear of the trolley for the sake of clarity of understanding.

One form of the mobile support device is a device provided with one or more mobile elements, such as for example, a rolling arrangement for allowing rolling movement of the trolley from one location to another location. Forms of the rolling arrangement are wheels, rollers, tubes, skids, slides or similar allowing movement of the device in its entirety from one location to another location. Preferred mobile elements include wheels, rollers or other rotating elements. Additionally, the rotating elements allow the orientation of the device to be altered, such as for example, by being tilted in one or other direction, such as for example, in a forwards direction or a rearwards direction to adopt one or other inclined or tilted orientation, to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the panel to and/or from the device. In one form, the mobile support device is a wheeled device, typically a device having a wheel assembly comprising a pair of ground engaging wheels in which one wheel of the pair of wheels is located at respective ends of an axle about which the device is able to pivot in the front to rear directions. Preferably, the mobile support device is a trolley, truck, cart, dolly or similar, preferably a hand trolley, hand cart, hand truck or the like having a pair of ground engaging wheels at either end of an axle.

It is to be noted that the device will be described with reference to the front or forward end and forward direction and to the rear or rearward direction for clarity of description and ease of understanding.

One form of the building panel is a generally square or rectangular building panel, such as for example, of the type which is located on or forms part of the external wall of a building. In one form, the building panel is a structural panel or a covering panel or cladding, typically in the form of a parallelepiped having two faces and four edges. Preferably the building panel is an autoclaved aerated concrete panel (AAC), more preferably a lightweight AAC panel, including both reinforced panels and non-reinforced panels. Even more preferably, the building panel is an AAC panel make by CSR Building Products Limited and marketed under the trade name HEBEL®. It is to be noted that although HEBEL® panels are described as being lightweight, they are in effect of a weight greater than a weight that can be comfortably lifted and manhandled conveniently by a single workman, depending upon the thickness of the panel. Usually, at least two workmen are required to lift and install such panels without mechanical assistance since the panels can weigh up to 90kg. In one form, the HEBEL® panel has a mesh or similar reinforcement embedded within the panel to provide increased strength and/or rigidity.

Typical dimensions of a building panel that can be handled by the trolley of the present invention are panels ranging in length from about 2m to about 5m, typically, from about 2.7m to about 4.8m with various sizes in between.

However, in extreme cases, panels up to about 6m in length may be able to be handled in certain circumstances, such as for example by two trolleys in tandem or the like, preferably linked together allowing control from one of the trolleys .

Typically, the width of the panel varies from about 150mm to about 1000mm, typically about 300mm.

Typically, the thickness of the HEBEL® panel can range from being about 50mm to being in excess of about 350mm depending upon applications. Panels of a large size and thickness are of an excessive weight which cannot be lifted by a single workman. The density of the panels varies from about 40 to 60kg/m2, preferably about 53kg/m2. Typical weights of HEBEL® panels vary up to about 90kg, preferably up to about 75kg as a workable maximum.

One form of the mainframe of the mobile support device is made from a multitude of interconnected framework elements which are arranged to be interconnected to one another to define a generally rectilinear arrangement in the form of a square or rectangle of a substantially planar support or support surface for supporting the building panel thereupon. In one form, there are four interconnected framework elements, two of the elements being longitudinal tubes of relatively longer lengths extending in the front to rear direction, and two of the elements being transverse or cross tubes of a relatively shorter length extending in a side to side direction substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal tubes. The individual framework elements can take any form, shape or profile. A particularly preferred form of the individual framework elements is hollow square tubing. However, other forms of the framework elements include tubes of different crosssection, such as circular, elliptical, rectangular tubing or similar. Forms of the framework elements are solid, such as for example, rods, particularly square section rods, rectangular or similar. More typically, the ends of the rods are received in the open ends of the tubes to form an alternating structure of rods and tubes.

One form of the mainframe is a fixed frame in which the individual framework elements are fixedly connected to each other to form a rigid structure. However, in other forms, the mainframe is made from four individual framework elements which can be assembled together to form the mainframe and/or disassembled when required such that the mainframe is a modular mainframe. Having a demountable or disassembleable modular mainframe is particularly preferred when the trolley needs to be transported from one building site or worksite to another building site or worksite regularly, such as for example, in the back of a workman's vehicle, where storage space, particularly storage space over a predetermined length, is at a premium. One form of the trolley is a compact trolley for ease of storage when not in use and/or transportation. Accordingly, one form of the trolley is disassembleable as required.

One form of the trolley is provided with a motor, such as for example, an electric motor driving one or more of the ground engaging or road wheels of the trolley. In one form, the motor is an electric motor, such as for example, of the type fitted to an electric cycle, golf cart, mobility scooter or the like.

In one form, the guide member of the mobile support is selectively connectable to the mean support framework, typically, to one or other of the multitude of individual framework elements making up the mainframe, either when temporarily assembled together or when fixedly connected together to form the mainframe. One form of the guide member is a hollow square profile tube or solid square section rod. In one form, an end of the guide member is received within the interior of one end of one of the framework elements of the mainframe to retain the guide member in position. Preferably the outside dimensions of the end of the guide member which is received in the open end of the framework element is less than the internal dimensions of the hollow tube of the framework element so that the guide member is received within the framework element as an extension of the framework element, typically as an extension of the longitudinal element extending in the forward direction of the trolley.

In one form, the guide member is received within the end of one of the longitudinally extending framework elements, preferably the forwardly facing end of one of the longitudinally extending side tube of the mail framework.

Preferably the guide member is an extension of one side longitudinal member of the framework element. In one form, the guide member is fixedly connected to the mainframe, whereas in other embodiments, the guide member is detachably connectable to one or other of the mainframe elements, preferably to either one of the longitudinal side tubes. However, even if the guide member is detachable, the guide member when connected, member is rigid and is retained by the mainframe so that the guide member cannot undergo movement independently of the mainframe but that movement of the guide member causes corresponding movement of the mainframe so that both the guide members and mainframe move in unison to move the mobile support device or trolley.

More preferably, the guide member is a handle, preferably an elongate handle, typically the elongate handle is in the form of a square section, tube or rod extending frontwardly of the mainframe in alignment with the side element to which it is attached. In one form, the handle is provided with a grip located at or towards the distal end of the handle for assisting in more secure gripping of the handle and moving of the trolley. In one form, if the trolley is provided with a motor, controls for the motor are associated with the grip so that operation of the motor and hence the trolley, can be effected whilst grasping the grip of the guide member. However, in other forms, the trolley is provided with a remote control for operating the motor remotely.

As the handle is fixedly connected to the mainframe which in turn is fixedly connected to the trolley, movement of one end of the handle causes corresponding movement of the trolley so that the handle can be used to propel and/or manoeuvre the trolley, such as by pushing or pulling the trolley or turning the trolley from side to side.

One form of the mobile assembly provided on the trolley is a wheel assembly. One form of the wheel assembly includes a pair of ground engaging or ground contacting wheels for providing movement of the trolley, typically rolling movement of the trolley. In one form, the wheels are provided with hubs. Typically, the wheel comprises a tyre and hub. Further, in forms of the trolley, the wheel or wheel assembly is selectively detachable from the axle, if required or convenient. In one form, the trolley is supported on the wheels in such a manner to allow the trolley to be tilted from one end to the other end, such as for example, in the forward and rearward directions, to assist, in loading and/or unloading the trolley, particularly for assistance in unloading the building panel as it is being installed on or in the building.

Other forms of the mobile assembly for mobilely supporting the trolley are possible, such as rollers, castors or similar.

One form of the support member of the trolley is attached to one of the framework elements of the mainframe, preferably one of the transverse or sideways extending framework elements extending between from one side of the trolley to the other side, either at the front or rear of the trolley. More particularly the transverse cross member is the front transverse cross-member mounted in close proximity to the front of the trolley, near to the handle or where the handle is to be connected to the mainframe at or towards the front of the trolley.

Preferably the support member is pivotally connected to the forward transverse framework element by a bracket allowing movement of the support member through an angle of movement of about 90° or more between a first position and a second position. In one form, the first position corresponds to the support member being in a downwardly depending position from the bracket so that the support member adopts a substantially vertical position for stabilising the trolley to substantially prevent the trolley from tilting and/or moving when being used as a workbench or similar. In one form, the second position corresponds to a clearance position in which the support member adopts a fold partially or fully folded position, such as a substantially horizontal position or an inclined position part way between the vertical position and the horizontal position. When in the clearance position the support member is folded underneath the mainframe so as to extend under the area defined by the mainframe which maintains the support member out of the way and allows the trolley to be wheeled by the handle unhindered by the support member. In one form, the support member is biased to adopt a folded position, such as for example, by being swingingly connected to the bracket so that when the trolley is tilted or moved, the support member is able to pivot freely about the bracket to adopt a folded position in accordance with corresponding movement of the trolley. More typically, the support member is locked in one or other position, preferably locked in the support position.

In one form, the support member is a support arm and the bracket is a pair of spaced apart plates on either side of the proximal end of the support arm. However, the support member and bracket can be of any suitable type or style. Preferably, the bracket is a two position bracket allowing the support arm to pivot between the downwardly depending first position or support position and the folded second position or clearance position and be locked into the respective positions as required by a suitable locking arrangement provided on or in the bracket.

In one form, the support arm is an elongate tube, typically a square section tube. In one form, the support arm is straight or substantially straight. However, any other suitable shape is possible.

In one form, the support arm is a freely pivotable arm that is able to swing between different positions in accordance with requirements and/or in accordance with the angle of tilt adopted by the trolley in use, such as when tipped in a forward direction for loading panels onto the trolley and when tipped in a rearwards direction when unloading panels from the trolley.

In one form, the bracket or connector for joining the support arm to the mainframe is provided with a stop for limiting movement of the support arm in a generally forward direction so as to retain the support arm in the downwardly depending stabiliser or support position even when the trolley is tilted in the forward direction thereby preventing further unwanted movement of the support arm. In one form, the stop is in the form of a collar, such as for example, a collar having an open segment to one side, typically the open side or slot faces rearwardly of the trolley.

In one form, the support arm is provided with a movable element, typically a rotating movable element fixedly attached to the distal end of the support arm. Preferably the rotating element is a wheel, roller, tube or similar capable of undergoing rotary motion in accordance with corresponding movement of the trolley on the ground engaging wheels. However, in other embodiments, the movable element may be a skid, blade, or similar about which the trolley can be dragged or turned as required whilst supporting the load of panels.

Preferably, the rotating element is a wheel, more typically a wheel member about an axle or similar mounting element allowing the wheel to rotate about the axle in accordance with corresponding rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly. In one form, the wheel is a castor wheel or similar. In one form, the wheel is fixedly connected to the distal end of the support arm. In one form, the support arm is an elongate one piece rod or tube whereas in another form, the support arm is hinged or made from two or more pieces movably interconnected together, allowing the arm to bend or adopt a non-linear configuration or the like. One form of the wheel is lockable or provided with a brake to prevent unwanted movement of the wheel.

The first position of the support arm is a support position or stable position in which the building panel is supported on the mainframe and optionally on the handle, in which case the mainframe and handle are supported by the pair of ground engaging wheels and the support arm and wheel so that the trolley adopts a stable configuration for converting the trolley into a stable work bench.

The second position is a clearance position or transport position in which the support arm is pivoted to be folded against the underside of the mainframe so that the trolley is able to be manoeuvred using the handle to move the trolley on the ground contacting wheels from one location to another location without interference by the support arm or wheel located at the distal end of the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

One form of the trolley will now be described to illustrate an example of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of one form of the trolley showing the support arm detached from the mainframe;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the trolley of Figure 1 showing the movement of the support arm between a downwardly depending stabiliser position shown in solid lines, and a folded position shown in phantom.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 showing one step in the process of loading a first panel onto the trolley.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 showing a further step in the process of loading the first panel onto the trolley.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 on which the panel is located, but prior to moving the trolley to transport the panel.

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the trolley of Figure 1 showing one step in the process of unloading the trolley and installing the panel as part of the wall of a building.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the trolley of Figure 1 in a tilted orientation after the panel has been installed in the wall of the building.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

One form of the mobile support device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, will now be described. The mobile support device in the form of a trolley can take a number of different forms or arrangements and can be referred to by different names, including hand trolley, hand cart, hand truck or similar.

One form of a trolley, generally denoted as 10, is illustrated in the drawings and comprises a main frame 12, for forming a generally planar support surface for supporting a building panel 60 thereon in use of trolley 2. Mainframe 12 is of a generally rectilinear shape, typically in the form of a rectangle having a longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension. However, the mainframe may have other shapes, such as square or similar. Mainframe 12 is made up of two longitudinally extending side frame elements in the form of hollow tubes 14a, 14b having a square section cross-section or profile. Tubes 14a, 14b form the longer sides of trolley 10 and extend in a direction aligned in the direction of front-to-back of trolley 10. A pair of transversely extending cross members in the form of two hollow square section tubes being front transverse member 16a, and rear transverse member 16b, form framework elements interconnecting the two longitudinal side tubes 14a, 14b at either end to form generally rectangular mainframe 12. It is to be noted that the upper surface in use of mainframe, 12 i.e. the upper surface of longitudinal tubes 14a, 14b and transverse tubes 16a, 16b collectively are all aligned with each other to form a smooth planar supporting surface.

In one form, mainframe 12 is an open frame whereas in other forms, mainframe 12 may be provided with an optional infill panel or similar for forming a solid support surface (not shown). However, for lightness and versatility, it is preferred that mainframe 12 be an open frame defined by the four interconnected tubes 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b only.

Longitudinal tubes 14a, 14b and transverse tubes 16a, 16b are interconnected to one another by any suitable means or arrangement. In one form, the individual tubes 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, are connected to one another by suitable fasteners, such as for example, screws, bolts, pins, connectors, nuts and bolts, brackets, plates, rods, bars, L-shape fittings or the like.

In one form, the individual framework elements are received in one another so that the individual elements lock together. In one form, the elements are telescopic so that the length and/or width, particularly the length can be altered in accordance with the length of the panels being transported by trolley 10.

In another form, the framework elements are hingedly connected together so as to allow the mainframe to hingedly collapse for ease of storage and/or transportation but be expanded to form the mainframe of the trolley when locked together or similar.

One end of a guide member in the form of handle 18 is received internally within either one of the longitudinally extending sides 14a, 14b of mainframe 12 for controlling movement of trolley 10 in use. Handle 18 is in the form of a square section tube or rod for engaging connectably to side 14a or 14b. A suitable fastener, in the form of a pin 20, bolt or similar, is used to fix and/or retain handle 18 within side tube 14a to secure handle 18 to mainframe 12 as illustrated more particularly in Figure 2. For convenience, handle 18 can be connected to other long side member 14b such as is shown in phantom in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable connector, typically in the form of a bracket 22 is provided about the midpoint of forward transverse element 16a to connect a support member, in the form of a support arm 26, to mainframe 12. In one form, support arm 26 is provided with two spaced apart apertures being locking aperture 28a and pivot aperture 28b in which pivot aperture 28b is located more proximally of the two apertures, and locking aperture 28a is located more distally of pivot aperture 28b. In one form, bracket 22 is in the form of a pair of substantially parallel side plates 24a, 24b in spaced apart relationship to one another for receiving therebetween the proximal end of support arm 26 having apertures 28a, 28b for allowing pivoting movement of support arm 26 between a stabiliser position or support position 30 in which support arm 26 is in a downwardly depending position providing stability to trolley 10 and a folded or clearance position 32 in which support arm 26 is folded to adopt a position underneath mainframe 12 as shown in phantom in Figure 2 so as to be clear of the ground over which trolley 10 is being moved so as to allow for the required movement of trolley 10 during use. However, it is to be noted that in one form, support arm 26 is freely pivotably connected to front transverse member 16a to swingingly move automatically in accordance with the orientation of trolley 10 so as to obviate the need to manually move arm 26 from the stabiliser position to the clearance position.

In one form, each bracket plate 24 is provided with three apertures arranged in a generally L-shape. One of the apertures 34, being the central aperture, is a pivoting aperture and the two side apertures 36, 38 being located on respective sides of central aperture 34 are locking apertures for receiving a pin 39 therethrough depending upon the position of support arm 26 to lock the support arm in place in the required position by being received through aligned apertures 28a 36, when support arm 26 is in the stabiliser configuration and through aligned apertures 28a, 38 when in the clearance configuration. An upper plate 27 having a plane that extends substantially perpendicularly to the lengthwise extending direction of support arm 26 is provided at the distal end of support arm 26 for connection to caster wheel assembly 29 comprising a lower plate 31 of substantially the same size, shape and profile as upper plate 27 and extending substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of upper plate 27, wheel assembly 29 further inclines wheel assembly 33 having ground contacting wheel 35 to provide further support base for support arm 26 when in stabiliser configuration 30. In operation, support arm 26 moves between the stabiliser position 30 and the clearance position 32 as required and can be locked in either respective position as required.

Trolley 10 further includes a pair of inclined struts 40a, 40b generally arranged in a narrow angle V-shape at an angle denoted by "A" at one side of trolley 10, shown particularly in Figure 3, to provide a support assembly on one side of trolley 10. Struts 40a, 40b extend between longitudinal side 14a at their respective upper ends and mobile assembly 50 at their respective lower ends. One form of mobile assembly 50 is a pair of ground engaging wheels 52a, 52b located on either side of transversely extending axle 54. A similar pair of struts 42a, 42b forming part of the support assembly are also arranged in a generally V-shape at a narrow angle "A" on the other side of trolley 10 to support mainframe 12. The angle that the two struts are arranged with respect to each other can vary in different forms of trolley 10. Struts 42a, 42b extend at the respective upper ends from framework element 14b to wheel assembly 50 at their respective lower ends to provide a support assembly on the other side of trolley 10.

It is to be noted that inclined struts 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b, are arranged respectively at each side of trolley 10 at an angle so as to permit trolley 10 to be able to be pivoted about wheel assembly 50 by tilting trolley 10 in the forward direction so that the distal end of handle 18 is in contact with the ground to lower the front end of trolley 10. In this position building panel 60 can be loaded onto the inclined main frame 12 of trolley 10 by a single workman as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, which show panel 60 in different positions during the loading operation. Struts 40a, 42a, 42b also allow trolley 10 to be pivoted in a rearward direction by tilting trolley 10 to lower the rear end of trolley 10 and simultaneously raise the front end of trolley 10 sufficiently to assist in unloading of panel 60 from trolley 10 for installation in or on the wall of a building, typically using rebate 74 of building 70 to support, panels for when installing panel 60 in the exterior of the walls of building 70 as will be described in more detail later in this specification. A brake, in the form of a pivoting pedal operated lever 56 or similar is provided on strut 42a on one side of trolley 10 to increase the stability of trolley 10 when being used as a work bench when trolley 10 is in the stabiliser position 30 with support arm 26 depending downward from bracket 20 as shown more particularly in Figure 2. In one form, the brake is a foot operated pivoting lever 56 and includes a bar 58 for engaging with outer edge of tyre 53 of wheel 52a and a foot pedal 59 at the other end which can be conveniently operated with the foot of the workman standing in close proximity to trolley 10, thus providing for hands free operation of the brake for trolley 10.

Stop 80 is optionally provided on handle 18 near to the distal end thereof to act as a limit of movement to prevent building panel 60, when on, or being loaded onto, trolley 10 from sliding too far forward to cover handle 18 thereby preventing the distal end of handle 18 from being grasped to guide movement of trolley 10 in use. Stop 80 can have any suitable form. One form is an upwardly extending boss or stub fixedly attached to handle 18. In one form, stop 80 is a small length of hollow square tube having a cross-section the same as the cross-section of handle 18. Stop 80 is either releasably connected or fixedly connected to handle 18, such as by a suitable fastener, welding or the like.

Operation of trolley 10 will now be described with particular reference to Figures 2 to 7. With support arm 26 in the clearance position 32 as shown in phantom in Figure 2 by being in the partially folded or fully folded position for providing clearance between the forward end of trolley 10 and the ground, trolley 10 is pivoted about wheel assembly 50 to be tilted forward in the direction towards handle 18 so that front of mainframe 12 adopts a forwardly directed lowered inclined position similar to the position shown in Figure 7. In this position, first building panel 60 is selected from a stack 62 of similar panels 60 and manoeuvred onto the planar top surface of mainframe 12 now in a forwardly inclined position by moving panel 60 close to one side of trolley 10, raising the forwardly directed end of panel 60 and rotating panel 60 about its longitudinal central axis for placing the forward end on the front end of trolley 10 whereupon the rearwardly directed end of building panel 60 can be lifted and placed onto the rear end of trolley 10 as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4.

Once building panel 60 is safely located on mainframe 12, as shown in Figure 5, support arm 26 is moved from the clearance position 32 to the stabiliser position 30 in which support arm 26 depends downwardly from bracket 20 as shown in Figure 2. Support arm 26 can be locked into this position which corresponds to the stable configuration by pin 29 being received through the aligned pair of apertures 28a, 36 to lock support arm 26 in bracket 20.

When trolley 10 is in this position, building panel 60 is stably supported on mainframe 12 which can now act as a work bench for supporting building panel 60 enabling work operations to be performed on panel 10 if required, such as sawing the panel to length, drilling holes or bores through the thickness of the panels for forming apertures for receiving therethrough fixings or fittings, or routing the upper surface or face of the building panel for a variety of purposes and the like since trolley 10 is supported by support arm 26 and wheel assembly 33 at the forward end of trolley 10 and wheel assembly 50 at the midpoint of trolley 10. It is to be noted in this configuration trolley 10 is supported on both ground wheels 52a, 52b and on the castor wheel 35 fixed to the distal end of support arm 26.

When work operations on the individual panel is complete, support arm 26 is unlocked from bracket 20 and moved to the clearance position by being folded underneath mainframe 12 and building panel 60 to adopt the clearance position. Support arm 26 is retained in the clearance position by pin 39 being received through aligned apertures 28a, 38 to lock support arm 26 in the clearance position. When in this position, panel 60 is moved to the desired location by using handle 18 to push or otherwise move trolley 10 from one location to another location as shown more particularly in Figure 5.

When panel 60 has been moved on trolley 10 to the desired location, with the rearwardly directed end of panel 60 extending outwardly from the rear of trolley 10, trolley 10 is lifted rearwardly to adopt a rearwardly inclined orientation with the rear of the trolley lowered and the front of the trolley raised. In this orientation, the front of trolley 10 is lifted upwardly using handle 18 as shown in Figure 6, as trolley 10 is moved backwards until the exposed or extended rear end of panel 60 rests upon or is in contact with a part of the building, such as for example, rebate 74 formed around the base of wall 76 of building 70 to which panel 60 is to be added. With the end of panel 60 resting upon rebate 74 of wall 76 of building 70, the front of trolley 10 is lifted even further to raise the end of panel 60 remaining on trolley 10 to a height that can be supported by a single workman when panel 60 is resting upon rebate 74, again as shown in Figure 6, whereupon trolley 10 is allowed to fall away safely from the building and tilt on the wheel assembly to adopt a position as shown in Figure 7, whilst panel 60 is held by the workman in place against wall 76 in the required approximate position of installation. As rebate 74 is taking most of the weight of panel 60, adjustment can be made to the final position of panel 60 by the workman manoeuvring panel 60 into place along rebate 74 or the like until panel 60 is in the correct position whereupon panel 60 can be permanently affixed to wall 76 by suitable fasteners, such as top hat sections and selftapping screws or the like (not shown).

Once panel 60 is permanently in place as shown in Figure 7, trolley 10 can be retrieved and rolled over the worksite to where stack 62 of panels 60 is located whereupon the sequence of steps is repeated to load each new successive panel in turn onto trolley 10 for transportation over the worksite to the final position for installation, after optionally sizing and working the panel in accordance with the specific requirements of the panel for the exact location in wall 76. Thus, using trolley 10, a workman can singlehandedly manhandle and install building panels .

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of embodiments of the trolley include that a single workman only can now install HEBEL® panels onto a building singlehandedly.

The trolley is versatile in that it can adopt a number of different positions or configurations to assist in moving and installing the building panels.

The trolley can be readily converted to a stable workbench.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A mobile support, device for handling a building panel comprising a mainframe including a multitude of interconnected framework elements arranged to form a substantially planar support surface for supporting the building panel thereon, a guide member selectively connectable to one of the multitude of framework elements forming the mainframe for guiding or controlling movement of the support device in use, a mobile assembly for facilitating movement of the support device from one location to another location in response to movement of the guide member, the support device being movable about the mobile assembly between a first tilted position being a loading position for facilitating loading of the building panel onto the device and a second tilted position being an unloading position for facilitating unloading of the building panel from the device, at least one pair of fixed angularly inclined struts extending between the mainframe and the mobile assembly, each strut having an upper end and a lower end, the respective upper ends of the pair of inclined struts being connected to one of the framework elements at spaced apart locations to one another in the lengthwise extending direction of the framework element, the respective lower ends of the pair of inclined struts being connected to one another and to the mobile assembly, and a selectively movable support member connected to one of the multitude of framework elements for being selectively movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when the support member is in the first configuration with respect to the framework element, the device is supported in a stable condition for supporting the panel thereon, and when the support member is in the second configuration, the device is able to be moved from one location to another location in response to corresponding movement of the guide member to move and/or position the support device, wherein when the mobile support device is in the first tilted loading position and in the second tilted unloading position the spacing apart of the respective upper ends of the pair of inclined struts remains fixed.
2. A mobile support device according to claim 1 in which when the device is in the first tilted loading position the mainframe adopts a forwardly inclined orientation and when the device is in the second tilted unloading position the main frame adopts a rearwardly inclined orientation.
3. A mobile support device according to claim 1 or 2 in which the mobile assembly includes a wheel, a pair of wheels, or a wheel assembly and the mobile support device is a trolley, truck, cart, dolly, hand trolley, hand cart, or hand truck.
4. A mobile support device according to claim 3 in which the mobile assembly is a pair of ground engaging wheels, wherein the pair of ground engaging wheels are permanently connected to respective ends of an axle in which the pair of wheels are mounted on the axle for rotation about the axle or the pair of ground engaging wheels are demountably attachable to respective ends of the axle in which the axle extends transversely of the device.
5. A mobile support device according to any preceding claim in which the mainframe is a generally rectilinear arrangement formed by the multitude of interconnected linear framework elements being substantially perpendicularly interconnected to each other in which the linear framework elements are fixed to one another or are demountably interconnectable to one another.
6. A mobile support device according to claim 5 in which the generally rectilinear mainframe comprises four interconnected tubes of which two of the tubes are longitudinally extending tubes of relatively longer length extending in a front to rear direction of the mobile support device and two transversely extending linear tubes of a relatively shorter length extending in a side-to-side direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise extending direction of the longitudinal tubes.
7. A mobile support device according to claim 6 in which the four interconnected tubes are fixedly connected to each other to form the mainframe in which the mainframe is in the form of an open rigid planar support for the building panel or the four interconnected tubes are releasably securable or detachably interconnectable to each other to form the mainframe in which the mainframe is an open rigid planar support for the building panel when assemled.
8. A mobile support device according to claim 6 or 7 in which the guide member is releasably attachable or fixedly connected to one of the longitudinally extending tubes of the mainframe to extend in alignment with the tube in the longitudinally extending direction.
9. A mobile support device according to any preceding claim in which the guide member is an elongate handle having a proximal part and a distal part wherein the handle is of a length sufficient to support the building panel on the proximal part of the handle and the distal part extends beyond the end of the panel when located on the device so as to leave the distal part of the handle uncovered by the panel.
10. A mobile support device according to any preceding claim in which the mobile support device has a forward end and a rear end, such that when the mobile support device is in the first tilted loading position the main framework adopts the forwardly inclined orientation in which the forward end is of thank you located at a lower level than the rear end of the mobile support device to support the panel in a corresponding forwardly inclined position to assist loading of the building panel onto the mobile support device, and when the mobile support device is in the second tilted unloading position, the main framework adopts a rearwardly inclined orientation in which the rear end of the mobile support device is located at a lower level than the forward end of the mobile support device to assist unloading of the building panel from the mobile support device wherein the mobile support device pivots about the mobile assembly between the first tilted loading position and the second tilted unloading position.
11. A mobile support device according to any one of claims 6 to 10 in which the two transversely extending tubes include a forward transverse tube and a rear transverse tube wherein the selectively movable support member is connected to the forward transverse tube located at or towards the front of the mobile support device.
12. A mobile support device according to claim 11 in which the mobile support device further includes a bracket in which the selectively movable support member is pivotally connected to the forward transverse tube by the bracket wherein the bracket facilitates pivoting movement of the support member through an angle of movement of about at least 90° between the first configuration and the second configuration in which the first configuration corresponds to the support member being in a downwardly depending position from the bracket to stabilise the mobile support device to prevent tilting movement of the mobile support device in use, and the second configuration corresponds to a clearance position allowing movement of the mobile support device about the mobile assembly to transport the building panel.
13. A mobile support device according to claim 12 in which the selectively movable support member has a proximal end and a distal end in which the proximal end is pivotally connected to the bracket, wherein the bracket includes a pair of spaced apart side plates on either side of the proximal end of the selectively movable support member, said bracket being a two position bracket allowing the selectively movable support member to pivot between the downwardly depending first configuration and the folded second configuration while remaining attached to the bracket.
14. A mobile support device according to claim 12 in which the selectively movable support member is a support arm which is provided at the distal end thereof with a rotating element in the form of a wheel for assisting movement of the mobile support device and of the support arm when the support arm is in the first configuration.
15. A mobile support device according to any one of claims 9 to 14 in which the handle is provided with a stop for limiting movement of the panel with respect to the handle in a forward direction wherein the stop divides the handle into the proximal part and the distal part so as to maintain the distal part of the handle in an uncovered condition for enabling gripping of the uncovered part of the handle when a panel is received on the mobile support device.
16. A mobile support device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the two struts of the one pair of inclined struts are oppositely inclined to one another.
17. A mobile support device according to claim 16 in which the pair of inclined struts are generally arranged in the form of a narrow angle V-shape at one side of the mobile support device.
18. A mobile support device according to any preceding claim further comprising a first pair of inclined struts located at one side of the mobile support device and a second pair of inclined struts located at the opposite side of the mobile support device.
19. A mobile support device according to claim 17 in which the first pair of inclined struts extend between the longitudinally extending framework element and the mobile assembly on one side of the mobile support device and the second pair of inclined struts extend between the longitudinally extending framework element and the mobile assembly on the opposite side of the mobile support device in which the inclination of both pairs of struts is maintained at either side of the mobile support device during use of the mobile support device and during conversion of the mobile support device between the first tilted loading position and the second tilted unloading position.
20. A movable support device according to any one of claims 9 to 19 wherein when the support device is in the first tilted loading position for loading the panel onto the mobile support device the distal end of the handle is supported by contact with a substrate upon which the device is located to further enhance the stability of the device.