GB2199013A - Panel lifter - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for lifting a ventilated floor panel has a generally planar base (12) which supports two depending pins (18, (24). One pin (18) depends from a slot (32) in the base in which the pin is movable towards and away from the other pin (24), pin (18) being lockable in a selected position in the slot by means of a nut (20). The other pin (24) is eccentrically mounted to a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted in the base (12) and has a manual handle or lever (30) by means of which it can be rotated. Both pins are provided with rubber sleeves (22). In use, the pins (18, 24) are located in suitable holes in the panel, pin (18) being adjusted in slot (32) to accommodate the panel and locked in position. The spindle (28) is then rotated by handle (30) to cause pin (24) to grip the panel between itself and pin (18). The panel can then be lifted out of position when the device is lifted using handles (14). The device therefore provides a quick and easy way of removing ventilated panels. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Panel lifter The present invention relates to floor panels and in particular to a device for raising a ventilated floor panel.

Certain types of floor panels known as ventilated panels are provided with an array of tubular passageways extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to form through-holes in the panels.

The normal way of raising such a panel is to engage a special type of lifting key in the panel. However, the type of keys currently in use make this a difficult and time consuming operation.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved device for raising a ventilated floor panel.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for raising a ventilated floor panel comprising first and second members engageable against respective surfaces in said panel and means for adjusting the separation of said members to cause the latter to grip the panel and allow the panel to be raised with lifting of the device.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of device according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation through the device of Figure 1 showing it engaged with a ventilated floor panel.

The drawings show a lifting device 10 for a floor panel which has a generally planar base 12 having a respective handle 14 at each end. The base 12 has an elongate slot 32 in the base, preferably extending part way along the axis of the base, a reduced diameter shank 16 of a securing pin 18 being engaged in the slot. The pin 18 is retained in the slot by a nut 20 which threadedly engages the free end of the shank 16. Loosening of the nut 20 enables the pin 18 to be positioned at a selected location along the slot and then secured in position by tightening of the nut 20. The upper surface of the base 12 surrounding the slot is preferably knurled to provide a grip for the nut 20.The pin 18 is generally circular in cross section along its length, although other shapes may be used, and its lower portion projecting below the base 12 is provided with a pad or sleeve 22 of resilient material, preferably rubber, with an external diameter slightly greater than that of the pin. The sleeve is retained on the pin in a circumferential groove or recess.

The other end of the base 12 is also provided with a further pin 24 similar to pin 18, conveniently with a resilient sleeve 22, with the exception that the reduced diameter shank 26 of the pin 24 is secured coaxial with a spindle 28 rotatably mounted in the base 12. The pin 24 is secured to the spindle 28 with its axis offset from that of the spindle 28 so that rotation of the spindle 28 moves the pin 24 in a circular path. The spindle 28 mounts a lever 30 by means of which the former is rotated.

In use, the pins 18 and 24 are located in respective holes of a ventilated panel with the nut 20 conveniently being loosened to facilitate adjustment. This enables the correct hole centres to be determined. Once the two pins 18 and 24 are suitably located the nut 20 is tightened.

The spindle 28 is then rotated by movement of the lever 30 to cause the rubber sleeves on the pins 18 and 24 to bear against the sides of the located holes and grip the panel.

The panel can then be lifted by raising the device using the handles 14.

Conveniently some means of locking or retaining the lever 30 in a selected position may be provided.

The illustrated device therefore provides a quick and easy way of raising ventilated floor panels.

In a modified form of the device (not shown in the drawi.ngs) suitable means may also be provided for enabling movement of spindle 28, and therefore pin 24, towards and away from pin 18 in a suitable slot, and locking the spindle 24 in its new position while allowing rotation. In this case the slot 32 may extend across the base 12 to receive spindle 28.

In a further modified form of the device (not shown in the accompanying drawings) two such pins 18 may be provided in respective or a common slot to enable adjustment of their spacing. Both such pins may be provided with suitable locking means such as nut 20. Alternatively, one of the pins may be provided with suitable means for urging it towards the other, such as a rack and pinion type mechanism with the pin serving as the pinion, or an over-centre mechanism bearing on a fixed portion of the base 12 and acting on the pin.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A device for raising a ventilated floor panel comprising first and second members engageable against respective surfaces of said panel and means for adjusting the separation of said members to cause the latter to grip the panel and allow the panel to be raised with lifting of the device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surfaces are upstanding and at least one of said members has resilient means for bearing against said respective panel surface.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said members has a depending elongate portion for bearing against said respective upstanding panel surface.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said resilient means is a sleeve of resilient material on said elongate portion.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the or each said elongate portion is adapted to be located in a respective hole in said panel, said upstanding panel surface being a side wall of said hole.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first and second members are supported by a base means and said adjusting means comprises means for enabling movement of at least one of said members relative to said base means towards and away from the other of said members.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said adjusting means comprises an elongate slot in said base means through which said at least one member depends, said one member being movable along said slot and having means for locking said member in any selected position in said slot.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said adjusting means further comprises means for urging at least one of said members towards the other.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said adjusting means comprises means for urging the other of said members towards said one member.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said urging means comprises a spindle means mounted in said base for rotation about its axis, and means for rotating said spindle means, wherein said other member depends from said spindle means and is mounted eccentrically thereof such that rotation of said spindle means moves said member in a generally accurate path whereby to cause said member to bear against the respective upstanding panel surface.

11. A device for raising a ventilated floor panel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.