Abstract:
Lumber construction tools that facilitate lifting and manipulating wall sections and discrete structures of the lumber assembly. One of the construction tools discloses a wall lifting appliance or device for raising timber framed wall structures from a horizontal to a vertical position without unduly interfering with placement of sheathing on the framed wall sections. A construction lumber biasing tool is also disclosed that includes a handle portion and a offset portion that cooperate with one another and the lumber members to facilitate deflection or deformation of warped or curved lumber members to achieve the desired orientation of the lumber relative to adjacent members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/040,489 filed on Aug. 22, 2014 titled “WALL PANEL CONSTRUCTION ACCESSORIES” and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices associated with moving and positioning timber framed wall sections and devices for manipulating discrete members associated with such constructions. Commonly, during conventional timber framing practices, wall sections that consist of a sill plate, a top plate, a plurality of vertical studs, and commonly exterior sheathing materials are assembled in a horizontal configuration and subsequently tipped up or moved to a desired location associated with a vertical orientation. Although smaller wall sections can be manually manipulated, larger wall sections commonly require auxiliary equipment such as loaders, telescopic handlers, cranes or the like to effectuate movement of the wall sections from the commonly horizontal assembly location to a generally gravitationally vertical placement location. 
         [0003]    Moving large and/or heavy wall panels with ancillary powered equipment can require the placement of one or more straps or clamp bodies that are commonly secured to the wall sections with conventional or custom fasteners or closure assemblies. Some such systems require placement or completion of the sheathing process after the wall sections have been positioned in a vertical orientation and the now elevated lifting device has been removed from the wall section. Such processes can be considerably inefficient as trades persons must first reach the commonly elevated locations, perform various tasks associated with removal of the lifting device and/or any mechanical connectors associated with elevating the discrete wall section(s), place and secure any omitted sheathing or exterior finish or walling materials, and repeat multiple iterations of such activities for each wall section, for each lifting device, and for each framing project. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a wall panel lifting assembly that can be conveniently and expeditiously secured and removed from discrete wall sections. There is a further need for a wall panel lifting device that cooperates with the underlying wall section in a manner that facilitates nearer completion of the wall assembly when the discrete wall section is oriented in a generally horizontal position. Such a consideration mitigates the need to fill the openings or reducing the size of the openings left in the wall assembly and associated with the lifting arrangement or device and after the wall portion has achieved a substantially more vertical orientation associated with placement of the discrete wall sections during assembly of such timber frames structures. 
         [0005]    Another concern associated with timber frame construction practices is achieving a substantially linear association of the adjacent structures during fastening of the same. Many persons skilled in the construction trades appreciate the difficulty associated with working with nonlinear dimensional lumber, That is, dimensional lumber that is bent, curled, or otherwise warped must commonly be straightened during the fastening process to achieve the desired orientation of the discrete members relative to the resultant assembly to accommodate later construction practices. Due to warping or curling common to much dimensional lumber, it is commonly necessary to physically manipulate the position of assembled wall sections relative to other sections and/or to straighten sections of dimensional lumber or achieve a desired orientation of the wall section relative to a floor, deck, or a cap associated with previously existing or assembled sections. Although some such deviations of the dimensional lumber can be addressed by physical manipulation of the discrete members, other structures or the degree of deviation can require the use of ancillary tools or straps to provide a lever association wherein interaction with a cantilevered end of the lever and effectuate the desired manipulation of the timber members. 
         [0006]    Use of lever arrangements commonly requires securing one end of the lever member to the deformed member and physical manipulation of the remote end of the lever to achieve the desired manipulation of the deformed member. Such practices require providing a secure connection to the deformed member wherein the connection must be robust enough to withstand the forces associated with the deformation practices. Unfortunately, such practices commonly result in deformation of the fasteners which in turn detracts from the ability to expeditiously remove the lever from the framing members once the deformed member is secured to the remaining frame in a manner sufficient to maintain the desired position of the deformed member. Such practices are further complicated where the degree of deformation cannot be resolved by a single tradesperson. 
         [0007]    That is, it is preferable to provide a deformation correction wherein a single tradesperson can effectuate the desired manipulation of the deformed material and secure the discrete frame members during physical manipulation of the same. Such practices commonly require a single tradesperson to deform the discrete member to a straight configuration and effectuate operation or manipulation of securing tools, whether braces, drills, straps, pneumatic nailers, hand tools, or the like with a free hand. Alternatively, two tradespersons are required to effectuate such a process wherein one tradesperson effectuates the correcting deformation and the other tradesperson effectuates the securing process. The two tradesperson corrective action detracts from efficient use of staff and crew personnel. Therefore, there is also a need to provide a construction accessory associated with manipulating timber frame members or sections which are convenient to use and do not unduly interfere with customary framing processes. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides various construction tools or accessories that overcome one or more of the drawbacks disclosed above. Lumber construction tools are disclosed that facilitate lifting and manipulating wall sections and discrete structures of the lumber assembly. One of the construction tools discloses a wall lifting appliance or device for raising timber framed wall structures from a horizontal to a vertical position without unduly interfering with placement of sheathing on the framed wall sections. A construction lumber biasing tool is also disclosed that includes a handle portion and a offset portion that cooperate with one another and the lumber members to facilitate deflection or deformation of warped or curved lumber members to achieve the desired orientation of the lumber relative to adjacent members. The construction tools disclosed herein improve timber construction practice and utilization of personnel efficiencies. 
         [0009]    Another aspect that is usable in combination with one or more of the above aspects discloses a wall lifting system. The wall lifting system includes a rail having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and is defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion. The respective top, bottom, and side portions are connected to one another such that the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially parallel to one another and extend the same distance from the side portion and such that the side portion is substantially perpendicular to each of the top portion and the bottom portion to define a substantially orthogonal C-shaped channel. The rail is shaped to slideably cooperate with a top plate of a framing structure such that the timber associated with top plate is securely received in the C-shaped channel. A flexible connector includes opposite ends that are permanently affixed proximate the opposite longitudinal ends of the top portion of the rail. The flexible connector has a length that is sufficient to provide a gap between a center section of the flexible connector and an outer directed surface of top portion of the rail such that the flexible connector can removably cooperate with a lifting means, such as a crane, a lift, a loader, or connectors such as cables, slings, chains, straps, associated with being connected to the same associated with rotating an assembled framing structure from a horizontal position to a vertical position. 
         [0010]    A further aspect that is usable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a wall lifting device that includes a rail defined by three closed sides and an open side wherein two of the sides are parallel to one another and the third side is perpendicular to each of the two parallel sides. The two parallel sides of the rail each extend an equal distance from the third side and the third side has a width that allows a top plate of a wall section formed by dimensional lumber to be disposed between the two parallel sides when a vertical edge of the top plate is adjacent the third side. A chain is connected to a surface of one of the parallel sides that faces away from the second of the two parallel sides. Opposite longitudinal ends of the chain are connected to opposite longitudinal ends of the rail and the chain is longer than the rail to provide a gap between a center section of the chain and the rail. A tooth extends from the second of the two parallel sides and toward the side associated with the chain. The tooth is configured to engage a downward facing side of the top plate of the wall section during lifting of the wall section. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention that is useable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a construction lumber biasing tool that is defined by a handle section and an offset section that are pivotably connected to one another. A handle is formed at one end of the handle section and at least one barb is formed at a second end of the handle section. A first end of the offset section is pivotably connected to the handle section near the at least one barb and a second end of the offset section has at least one barb formed thereat such that the at least one barb associated with the handle section and the at least one barb of the offset section face in a common direction at a location opposite the handle associated with the handle section. 
         [0012]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following brief description of the drawings, drawings, and detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0013]    The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
           [0014]    In the drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a wall section lifting device associated with the lumber construction accessory tool system according to one embodiment to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation sectional view of the wall lifting device shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pair of wall section lifting devices shown in  FIG. 1  engaged with a top plate of a horizontally oriented wall section; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of one of the wall section lifting devices shown in  FIG. 3  engaged with the top plate; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the wall lifting devices engaged with a lift such that the wall section is oriented in a generally vertical orientation during placement of the same; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view construction lumber biasing tools associated with the lumber construction accessory tool system according to another aspect of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of one of the biasing tools shown in  FIG. 7  and oriented in a stowed position; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is perspective view of one of the biasing tools shown in  FIG. 8  engaged with a sill plate and in an in-use orientation for manipulating the orientation of the sill plate relative to a deck of a construction environment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a wall lifting system or device  10  according to a first aspect of the present invention. Device  10  includes a rail  12  that is generally defined by a top section  14 , a bottom section  16 , and a side section  18  that each extend the longitudinal length of the rail  12 . Rail  12  is defined by a first longitudinal end  20  and a second longitudinal end  22 . A flexible connector  24 , such as a chain, includes a first end  26  and a second end  28  that are each permanently secured to rail  12  proximate a respective one of ends  20 ,  22 . Connector  24  is further secured to an exterior or outwardly facing side of top section  14  of rail  12  such that connector  24  is easily accessible during lifting of the wall sections. 
         [0024]    Top section  14  and bottom section  16  of rail  12  are offset from one another approximately 3 inches attributable to a lateral height of center section  18  to define a channel  30  therebetween. Channel  30  preferably has a depth that is no greater than 3½ inches such that channel  30  can cooperate with 2×4 dimensional lumber without interfering with the customary placement of sheathing with an underlying timber stud or wall structure. Understandably, devices could be provided in various configurations, such as having depths or 5½ or 7½ inches, for cooperation with dimension lumber having other dimensions, such as 2×6&#39;s or 2×8&#39;s as the situation or construction configuration may require. It is further appreciated that device  10  can be provided in other vertical dimensions for cooperation with top plates having thicknesses other than the approximate 3 inch dimension associated with a two member top plate construction. Understandably, such dimensions are only exemplary. 
         [0025]    Regardless of the specific dimension, channel  30  has a rectilinear shape such that the section of channel near side wall or section  18  has a similar dimension as a dimension associated with the distance between the cantilevered edges of top section  14  and bottom section  16 . Said in another way, any chamfer or radius associated with the intersection of top and bottom sections  14 ,  16  with side section  18  is negligible or otherwise configured to be only minimally greater than the chamfered dimension commonly associated with the lateral edges of dimension lumber. 
         [0026]    It has been shown that C-shaped or I-shaped channel materials are commonly provided with an interior facing chamfer or radius that detracts from the desired placement of device  10  relative to the underlying framing. That is, various manufacturing processes and load rating requirements of such rail sections commonly require an internal facing chamfer or radius at the intersection between the discrete portions of such rails or beams. Such structures detract from the ability to orient the interior facing side of section  18  in close if not touching proximity to the timber framing and detrimentally affect the ability of the rail sections to withstand the bending and torsional loading associated with lifting wall panels when the top plate is captured between the opposing faces of the rail but remains offset from the connecting wall or web associated with the underlying rail. Such detriments increase the cost associated with forming such a device and result in a heavier than necessary assembly that increases user fatigue. 
         [0027]    Channel  30  is constructed to slidably cooperate with a top plate of a framed wall section is described further below. Top section  14  can include one or more holes  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  that are shaped to cooperate with fasteners, such as nails or screws, associated with temporarily securing device  10  relative to a timber framed top plate. It should be appreciated that the fasteners associated with holes  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are generally incapable of solely supporting the load associated with an underlying wall panel assembly. It is further appreciated that an interior facing surface  40  of bottom section  16  could include one or more barbs  41  or projections associated with removably engaging the timber members associated with the top plate of a framed wall section. Barbs  41  are constructed to interfere with the underlying dimensional lumber and thereby prevent undesired lateral translation of the top plate relative to channel  30  during lifting operations. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a timber framed wall section  44  having a pair of devices  10  associated therewith. Rail  12  of each device  10  is engaged with the top plate  46  of wall section  44  and one or more fasteners  50  are associated with holes  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  so as to temporarily secure rail  12  relative to top plate  46 . Flexible connector  24  cooperates with a lifting means or lifting arrangement  52  that is associated with a boom, loader, or other lifting appliance or means  56 . As should be appreciated, rail  12  slidably cooperates with top plate  46  such that flexible connector  24  is disposed generally above top plate  46  of wall section  44  and is fully accessible to lifting arrangement  52  when wall section  44  is fully sheathed with sheathing  58  and/or includes subsequent framing assemblies such as a soffit and fascia framing  60 . The flexibility of connector  24  providers point loading of the association of lifting device  10  with the lifting means thereby reducing the bending and torsional loading of lifting device  10  and minimizes jerking or unexpected shifting of the wall section during lift operations. Further, device  10  does not interfere with subsequent framing operations such as sheathing practices. It is further appreciated that device  10  is provided in a longitudinal length that is no greater than approximately 14½ inches, Preferably, device  10  is shorter than 14 inches and more preferably, device  10  is between approximately 8 to 12 inches in length. Such considerations allow device  10  to cooperate with a single respective stud cavity associated with the framed wall section such that the wall can be fully formed without the omission of a respective stud to accommodate use of device  10 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , it should be appreciated that wall sections  44  are commonly provided in a number of dimensional lumber framing arrangements such as 2×4, 2×6, other dimensions and combinations thereof of timber construction materials. Device  10  is constructed to slidably cooperate with the top plate  46  of such dimensional materials so as to not interfere with the application of the sheathing  58  to the timber wall framing. That is, device  10  does not extend beyond the exterior facing side  62  of the dimensional timber framing thereby accommodating completion of sheathing  58  and/or fascia and soffit framing  60  associated with customary framing practices. Further, device  10  negates the necessity of having an opening associated with the timber framing arrangement to achieve the desired orientation of respective devices  10  relative to wall section  44  for subsequent lifting practices. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , devices  10  are preferably disposed along the longitudinal length of wall section  44  to provide a generally level orientation of wall section  44  during the lifting process. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , those portions of wall section  44  proximate lifting devices  10  are complete inasmuch as sheathing  58  extends a desired height so as to he secured to top plate  46  of wall section  44  at locations proximate devices  10 . It should further be appreciated that, once placed, devices  10  are removable from top plate  46  from a position generally laterally inward relative to wall section  44  thereby negating the need of users or tradespersons to be oriented toward an environment facing side of the placed wall section. Such a configuration provides a wall lifting device  10  that securely cooperates with the top plate  46  of wall section  44  and which can conveniently and expeditiously be associated with a wall section and subsequently removed therefrom after the respecting lifting, securing, and bracing processes. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 7-9  show various views of construction lumber biasing tools according to another aspect of the present invention and usable in conjunction with lifting device  10  to enhance construction practices and efficiencies. As alluded to above, during timber framing processes, it is periodically necessary to bias discrete portions of timber members and/or wall portions or sections relative to other structures or members to achieve a desired orientation of the respective member and/or wall section associated therewith relative to previously placed framing structures.  FIGS. 7-9  are views of various construction lumber biasing tools according to the present invention. Each of the construction lumber biasing tools has a generally similar operation but are provided in different sizes that manipulate the mechanical advantage associated with use of any of the respective biasing tools. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , biasing tool  100  may be provided in various shapes or sizes such as a small  101 , medium  102 , and a large  104  sized biasing tool  100 . Each biasing tool  101 ,  102 ,  104  includes a handle section  106  and an offset section  108  that is pivotably connected to a respective handle section  106 . Each handle section  106  includes a handle  110  that is disposed at one end of the handle section  106  and at least one barb  112  that is disposed at the opposite end of the respective handle section  106 . 
         [0033]    The respective offset section  108  is connected via a pivot  114  to the respective handle section  106  proximate the respective barb  112 . One or more barbs  116 ,  118  are formed at an end  120  of the respective offset section  108  generally opposite the respective pivot  114 .  FIG. 7  shows biasing tools  100 ,  102 ,  104  in generally deployed or in-use orientations whereas  FIG. 8  shows biasing device  101  in a folded, stored, or stowed orientation. When in the stowed orientation, handle section  106  and offset section  108  of the respective biasing device  101 ,  102 ,  104  generally overlie one another to provide a fairly compact and generally flat orientation of the respective biasing device  100 . Preferably, each biasing device  101 ,  102 ,  104 , regardless of the size associated therewith, can achieve the fairly compact stored orientation shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows biasing device  102  in an in use orientation wherein the one or more barbs  116 ,  118  associated with offset section  108  are engaged with the bottom or sill plate  128  associated with wall section  44  and barb  112  associated with handle section  106  is engaged with another framing surface such as a previously placed cap, floor, or deck  130  surface. It is further appreciated that other structures or surfaces may be used when a respective offset section  108  is engaged with a first structure and respective handle section  106  is engaged with another structure. Biasing handle section  106  in an inward direction relative to the wall section, indicated by arrow  132 , when barb  112  is engaged with deck  130 , biases sill plate  128  in an inward lateral direction, indicated by arrow  134 , relative to deck  130  thereby deflecting the timber associated with sill plate  128  from an undesirable or undesirable at rest position toward a desired finished orientation relative to deck  130 . It is further appreciated that biasing devices  100  can be used to achieve a desired position of one structure relative to another structure during any number of processes associated with timber framing practices. 
         [0035]    The distance between pivot  114  and handle  110 , and the interaction of barbs  112  and  116 ,  118  with the respective frame or decking materials, provide a user  140  with a desired mechanical advantage associated with achieving a desired deflection of sill plate  128  relative to deck  130  to attain the desired orientation of sill plate  128  relative to deck  130  prior to securing of the same. User size and strength aside, biasing devices  101 ,  102 ,  104  provide various degrees of mechanical advantage to attain a desired degree of deflection or movement of the timber members toward a final desired position or orientation. 
         [0036]    Each biasing device  101 ,  102 ,  104  is constructed to cooperate with construction materials in a manner such that the utilization of a respective biasing device requires no modification of the underlying timber framed construction to effectuate the desired cooperation of the respective biasing tool therewith. It is further appreciated that the handle section, the offset section, and the pivot be constructed of materials and/or cross-sectional sizes and shapes selected to withstand the forces associated with the biasing activity without deforming the respective biasing tool and to maintain the movability of the respective sections thereof between the stowed and in-use configurations as disclosed above. 
         [0037]    It is further appreciated that cooperation of the barbs with the respective adjacent framing materials, and removal of the same, can be efficiently effectuated by body weight or customary tools such as a hammer or the like. Further, it should be readily appreciated that any marring associated with use of the respective biasing device need not be repaired as the same is customarily concealed behind finish materials. Accordingly, each biasing tool  101 ,  102 ,  104  allows physical manipulation of the underlying timber materials in an efficient manner and in a manner that does not otherwise interfere with customary timber framing practices or require extraneous fastening arrangements. 
         [0038]    Therefore, one embodiment of the invention includes a wall lifting system that includes a rail having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and that is defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion. The respective top, bottom, and side portions are connected to one another such that the top portion and the bottom portion are substantially parallel to one another and extend the same distance from the side portion and such that the side portion is substantially perpendicular to each of the top portion and the bottom portion to define a substantially orthogonal C-shaped channel. The rail is shaped to slideably cooperate with a top plate of a framing structure such that the timber associated with top plate is securely received in the C-shaped channel. A flexible connector includes opposite ends that are permanently affixed proximate the opposite longitudinal ends of the top portion of the rail. The flexible connector has a length that is sufficient to provide a gap between a center section of the flexible connector and an outer directed surface of top portion of the rail such that the flexible connector can removably cooperate with a lifting means associated with rotating an assembled framing structure from a horizontal position to a vertical position. 
         [0039]    Another embodiment of the invention that is usable with one or more of the above aspects includes a wall lifting device having a rail defined by three closed sides and an open side wherein two of the sides are parallel to one another and the third side is perpendicular to each of the two parallel sides. The two parallel sides of the rail each extend an equal distance from the third side and the third side has a width that allows a top plate of a wall section formed by dimensional lumber to be disposed between the two parallel sides when a vertical edge of the top plate is adjacent the third side. A chain is connected to a surface of one of the parallel sides that faces away from the second of the two parallel sides. Opposite longitudinal ends of the chain are connected to opposite longitudinal ends of the rail and the chain is longer than the rail to provide a gap between a center section of the chain and the rail. A tooth extends from the second of the two parallel sides and toward the side associated with the chain. The tooth is configured to engage a downward facing side of the top plate of the wall section during lifting of the wall section. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment of the invention that is useable with one or more of the above embodiments includes a construction lumber biasing tool that is defined by a handle section and an offset section that are pivotably connected to one another. A handle is formed at one end of the handle section and at least one barb is formed at a second end of the handle section. A first end of the offset section is pivotably connected to the handle section near the at least one barb and a second end of the offset section has at least one barb formed thereat such that the at least one barb associated with the handle section and the at least one barb of the offset section face in a common direction at a location opposite the handle associated with the handle section. 
         [0041]    The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. These and other advantages, aspects, and objectives will be further understood from the various drawings provided herewith and in view of the appending claims.