Patent ID: 9027977
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
1. A tool, for lifting a liner tile from the interior of a chimney or other vertical cavity, for use when a principal axis of the tool is in a vertical orientation, said tool comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end; a second arm, having a first end and a second end, the second arm pivotably connected to the first arm by a first pin; two jaws each having a tile-wall grasping surface and connected to the second end of the arms, wherein pivoting of the arms about the first pin moves the tile grasping surfaces of the jaws so said surfaces are opposingly spaced apart a desired distance, wherein said surfaces are equidistant from a first axis (GG); wherein a portion of at least one of the jaws is a flat or curved plate, for fitting into a space between the liner tile and the interior side of a chimney; an actuating mechanism connecting the first ends of the arms, for moving the first ends of the arms relative to each other and for thereby opening and closing the jaws, the actuating mechanism further comprising: a screw journaled in an element of the actuating mechanism that is connected directly or indirectly to one or both of the arms, the screw having a threaded portion and a lifting end which is connectable to a lifting rod, the lifting end shaped for both lifting the screw along with the rest of the tool and for rotation of the screw; the principal axis (HH) of the tool running through a location of the lifting end of the screw; and wherein the first axis (GG) is spaced apart from the principal axis (HH); a nut engaged with the threaded portion of the screw, so the nut moves along the length of the screw when the screw is turned; at least one toggle element connecting the nut and one of the arms, so movement of the nut along the length of the screw moves the toggle and thereby one of the one arms; and wherein the actuating mechanism comprises four of said at least one toggle elements and a bar; wherein the bar is connected to the first end of each of the arms respectively by a first toggle element and a second toggle element, wherein the screw is journaled in the bar with the lifting end in proximity to the bar; wherein third and fourth toggle elements respectively connect the nut to the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm; wherein movement of the nut along the length of the screw moves both arms by acting through said toggle elements.