Jack apparatus for lifting and supporting an item for holding windable material

Apparatus for lifting and supporting an item above a floor includes a frame and a pair of upright telescoping post assemblies having two opposite ends and which are positionable on opposite sides of the item to be lifted. A pair of guide posts are arranged as to extend substantially vertically of the frame and adjacent the post assemblies. A carriage assembly is mounted upon each post assembly for cooperating between the item and an adjacent guide post, and jacks are utilized for moving the ends of the post assemblies apart so that by positioning the carriage assemblies in cooperating relationship with the item and moving the ends of the post assemblies apart, the item is lifted by a corresponding amount and the carriage assemblies are guided along the guide posts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to material handling apparatus and relates, more particularly, to apparatus used to lift and support an item, such as a spool about which material is wound or can be wound, as the item is rotated for the purpose of either winding the material from the item or winding the material about the item or for transporting the item to an alternative site.

At a construction job site, an item, such as a relatively large spool of coiled material, such as wire or cable, is commonly desired to be supported above a floor to facilitate the unwinding of material from the spool or the winding of material about the spool. For these purposes, there exists a class of apparatus including a pair of stands which are positionable on opposite sides of the spool and are capable of lifting the opposite sides of the spool from the floor to a desired elevated position at which the item can be rotated during either a material unwinding process or a material winding process. Moreover, such stands have been equipped with casters enabling the elevated spool to be wheeled across the floor to an alternative site. An example of a pair of wheeled stands capable of lifting the item from the floor to an elevated position for material winding or unwinding purposes and which enables the item, while elevated, to be manually wheeled across the floor is shown and described in our co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/986,407, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

However, some items of windable material, such a large spool of wire wound thereabout, are simply too large or heavy to be easily lifted by conventional stands. Furthermore and even if lifted to an elevated condition, they are likely to be too heavy to be manually rolled across the floor or not durable enough to be moved with a forklift, or forklift truck.

It would be desirable to provide an apparatus of the aforedescribed class which embodies stands, or jacks, which are capable of lifting and supporting relatively heavy items of windable material whose size can fall within a broad range of sizes and whose construction is durable enough to enable the apparatus, with the relatively heavy item supported thereby, to be moved to an alternative site by way of a forklift.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus of the aforedescribed class for lifting and supporting an item, such as a heavy spool for holding windable material, to facilitate the rotation of the item for the purpose of unwinding material from the item or winding material about the item or for transport of the lifted item to an alternative site as the apparatus is either rolled across the floor or is moved with a forklift.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus having a jack whose components can be quickly adjusted through relatively large distances for placement of the jack into position for lifting the item.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus having a jack whose components are reinforced in a manner which appreciably increases the durability of the apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus having wheels which enables the apparatus to be wheeled across the floor or which can be removed to enable the apparatus frame to rest directly upon a floor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which is capable of lifting a spool of windable material whose diameter falls within a relatively broad range of spool diameters or whose width falls within a relatively broad range of spool widths.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which utilizes a motor for rotating a spool being supported by the apparatus.

A yet still another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which is uncomplicated in structure, yet effective in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in an apparatus for lifting and supporting an item in an elevated condition above an underlying floor wherein the item includes a centrally-disposed barrel having two opposite ends and about which a windable material can be either wound or unwound and two flanges wherein each flange is disposed at each end of the barrel and has a rim along the periphery thereof and the item is arranged so that the rims of both flanges engage the underlying floor and the barrel of the item is oriented substantially parallel to the floor.

The apparatus includes a frame including a pair of sections which are joined in a stationary relationship with respect to one another and are positionable on opposite sides of the item to be lifted so that one section of the frame is disposed adjacent one flange of the item and the other section of the frame is disposed adjacent the other flange of the item. The frame further includes a pair of guide posts having two opposite ends wherein one guide post is mounted upon one of the sections of the frame so as to extend substantially upwardly therefrom and the other guide post is mounted upon the other of the sections of the frame so as to extend substantially upwardly therefrom. In addition, there is provided a pair of elongated post assemblies having upper and lower ends wherein one of the post assemblies is mounted upon one section of the frame adjacent the guide post mounted thereon so that the upper end thereof extends substantially upwardly from said one section and the other of the post assemblies is mounted upon the other section of the frame and adjacent the guide post mounted thereon so that the upper end thereof extends substantially upwardly from said other section, and wherein the upper and lower ends of each post assembly are movable with respect to one another to alter the distance therebetween.

The apparatus also includes a pair of jacks wherein one of the two jacks is associated with one post assembly for moving the upper and lower ends of the one post assembly relative to one another to alter the distance therebetween and the other of the two jacks is associated with the other post assembly for moving the upper and lower ends of the other post assembly relative to one another to alter the distance therebetween. Furthermore, there is provided a pair of carriage assemblies wherein one carriage assembly is mounted upon one post assembly and the other carriage assembly is mounted upon the other post assembly so that movement of the upper and lower ends of the post assemblies relative to one another effects the movement of the carriage assemblies upwardly or downwardly relative to the apparatus frame. In addition, each carriage assembly is cooperable with a corresponding end of the barrel of the item and with the guide post disposed adjacent the post assembly upon which the carriage assembly is mounted so that by positioning each carriage assembly in cooperating relationship with a corresponding end of the barrel of the item for the purpose of lifting the corresponding end of the barrel with the carriage assembly and moving the upper and lower ends of the post assembly away from one another, the flange of the item with which is disposed at the corresponding end of the barrel is lifted from the floor by a corresponding amount and the carriage assembly is guided along the length of the guide post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering firstFIG. 1, there is illustrated an embodiment, generally indicated20, of a jack apparatus within which features of the present invention are embodied; and inFIG. 2, the apparatus20is shown being used for supporting a spool30of coiled material39in an elevated condition above an underlying floor26so that the spool30can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis for the purposes of unwinding the material39from the spool30or for winding the material39about the spool30or for transport of the spool30to an alternative site. As the spool30is supported in an elevated condition by the apparatus20, the apparatus20, in turn, can be wheeled across the floor26upon its wheel assemblies55or can be bodily lifted by a forklift21(FIG. 12) and transported by the forklift21to an alternative site.

With reference still toFIGS. 2 and 3, the spool30is of a class of spools which can be lifted and supported by the apparatus20. Briefly, the spool30includes a centrally-disposed, hollow elongated barrel32about which a length of coiled material39, such as electrical wire, steel cable, or rope or flexible sheet material, such as flexible flooring material, is wound and includes a pair of disc-like flanges34,36attached to the opposite ends of the barrel32on the opposite sides of the spool30. Each flange34or36is circular in form and defines a cylindrical rim35along its peripheral edge. Furthermore, there is commonly provided a bore38which extends through the center of both flanges34,36and the elongated barrel32. In addition, the bore38defines an elongated axis28about which the spool30is rotated as the spool30is supported by the apparatus20in an elevated condition above the floor26to facilitate the unwinding of the material39about the spool30or winding of the material39about the spool30.

Furthermore, there is illustrated inFIG. 3an elongated tube16having two opposite end portions17and18and which can be inserted endwise through the bore38of the spool30from, for example, the position depicted in solid lines inFIG. 3to the position depicted in phantom inFIG. 3so that the end portions17and18extend out of the bore38on opposite sides of the spool30and thus outboard of the flanges34,36. As will be apparent herein, it is these outwardly-extending end portions17and18of the tube16that are engaged and directly acted upon by the jack apparatus20during a spool-lifting operation.

With reference again toFIGS. 1 and 2and as will be described herein, the jack apparatus20includes a frame40including elongated sections42,44and guide posts81,83, and the apparatus20further includes a pair of carriage assemblies100,102which are supported upon the frame40by way of a pair of jack-extendible telescoping post assemblies64,66. While the spool30rests upon the floor26(as best shown inFIG. 3) so that the barrel32thereof is arranged substantially horizontally and the rims35of its flanges34,36engage the floor26, the apparatus20can be wheeled into a position about the spool30so that the carriage assemblies100,102are disposed directly beneath the end portions17,18of the tube16. At that point, the carriage assemblies100,102are raised relative to the frame40by way of the telescoping post assemblies64,66and moved into cooperating relationship with the spool30(at which the carriage assemblies100,102are in position for acting upon the spool30by way of the tube16interposed therebetween for the purpose of lifting the spool30) as the upward movement of the carriage assemblies100,102is guided along the guide posts81,83of the frame40. As the carriage assemblies100,102continue to be raised, the spool30is lifted from the floor26to an elevated condition. As will be apparent herein, the guide posts81,83reinforce and rigidify the telescoping post assemblies64,66and thereby strengthen the apparatus20during use or during the movement of the apparatus20to an alternative site.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the frame40(introduced earlier) of the assembly20includes a base41of substantially U-shaped configuration. More specifically, the base41includes the pair of lengthy elongated sections42and44(introduced earlier) which are arranged in a substantially parallel relationship with one another and which are joined at one end to an intermediate assembly43so the elongated sections42,44provide the legs of the U-shaped base41and the intermediate member43provides the bottom of the U-shaped configuration of the base41. Each section42or44or assembly43of the depicted base41is constructed of steel channel having a substantially rectangular cross section, and one end of each of the sections42and44is joined to a corresponding end of the intermediate assembly43with welds. Furthermore, each end of each section42or44is open and sized to accept a fork25(of two forks) of a forklift21(FIG. 12) for lifting the frame40with the forklift21. Along the same lines and and since the sections42,44are open at each end (i.e. the front and rear) of the frame40, the apparatus20can be lifted with the forks25of a forklift21from the front of the apparatus20or from the rear of the apparatus20, as shown inFIG. 12.

It is a feature of the apparatus20that its base41can be adjusted in width to accommodate a spool30having a width within a relatively large range of spool widths. To this end, the intermediate assembly43includes a pair of channel members45,47wherein one member45is slidably accepted by the other member47to accommodate a lengthening or shortening of the assembly43in a telescoping fashion. In addition, the member45defines a series of spaced through-openings46along the length thereof, and the member47defines a pair of through-openings48along the length thereof which can be selectively aligned with a pair of the through-openings46provided in the member45. A pair of pins51are provided whose shanks can be positioned within the aligned through-openings46,48and secured therein with a key57to maintain the members45,47in a stationary relationship with respect to one another (and thereby secure the elongated sections42,44in a stationary relationship with respect to one another).

Therefore and in order to adjust the spaced distance between the elongated sections42and44to thereby accommodate the capacity of the elongated sections42,44to be positioned outboard of the flanges34.36of the spool30when the apparatus20is positioned thereabout, the pins51can be removed from the aligned through-openings46,48, and the members45and47can then be slidably moved longitudinally relative to one another to lengthen or shorten the intermediate assembly43, as necessary, by shifting the elongated section44relative to the position shown in solid lines inFIG. 4and the position shown in phantom inFIG. 4and so that an alternative pair of through-openings46of the member45are aligned with the pair of openings48of the member47. The pins57can thereafter re-inserted into the aligned through-openings46,48(and secured therein with the keys57) to re-secure the members45,47in a stationary condition with respect to one another.

It is also a feature of the apparatus20that the base41of the apparatus frame40can either be wheeled across the floor26or, in the alternative, rest directly upon the floor26. In this connection, there are provided removable wheel assemblies55which can be selectively mounted upon the underside of the base41to enable the frame40to be rolled across the floor26or removed from the base41. To this end and as exemplified by the fragment of the apparatus20illustrated inFIG. 5, there is provided a pair of L-shaped brackets50which are welded to the underside of the base41at each end of the sections42and44so that the legs of the brackets50provide opposite sides of a guide track52therealong. Each wheel assembly55includes a steel plate53and a wheel54rollably mounted beneath the plate53, and the plate53can be slidably accepted by the guide track52to mount the wheel assembly55beneath the base41. The plate53is secured in place along the guide track52by way of a stop member56(FIG. 5) welded to each bracket50adjacent the rear of the guide track52and a spring-biased pin60which is mounted to the section42or44adjacent the mouth of the guide track52.

The spring-biased pin60is mounted within a housing61which, in turn, is secured to one side surface of the section42or44so that the shank, indicated63, of the pin60is spring-biased toward an extended position across the mouth of the guide track52. Therefore and by lifting the pin60(against the force of a biasing spring mounted within the housing61) from the (extended) solid-line position illustrated inFIG. 5to the (retracted) position illustrated in phantom inFIG. 5, the mouth of the corresponding guide track52is opened and is therefore in a condition to slidably accept the plate53inserted edgewise therein or to remove the plate53from the guide track52. Conversely and by permitting the pin60to return (under the force of the biasing spring) from theFIG. 5(retracted) phantom-line position to theFIG. 5(extended) solid-line position, the mouth of the guide track52is closed so that the plate53, when positioned within the guide track52, is captured along the guide track52between the stop members56and the pin60. It follows that the wheel assemblies55can be mounted to the frame40by way of the guide tracks52to permit the frame40to be rolled, or wheeled, across the floor26as the wheels54of the assemblies55are rollably moved across the floor26or bodily removed from the guide tracks52(by removal of the plates53therefrom) to enable the base41of the frame40to rest directly upon the floor26.

The wheels54of the wheel assemblies55can be unidirectional (i.e. not adjustable in direction) or can be adjustable in direction (e.g. casters). Moreover, such wheel assemblies55can incorporate foot-operable brakes (known in the art) for selectively permitting or inhibiting the rotation of the wheels54about the rotation axes thereof.

With reference again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the frame40of the depicted apparatus20is provided with a pair of open-ended U-shaped forklift brackets63,65on each side of the frame40which are each adapted to accept the forks25(FIG. 12) of a forklift21used to bodily lift the apparatus20and any spool30supported thereby from the floor26. Within the apparatus20and as shown inFIG. 1, two brackets63,65are fixedly attached (i.e. welded) to the underside of each section42or44so as to provide, with the underside of the section42or44, a fork-accepting slot which opens away from one side of the frame40; and the brackets63,65are spaced along the length of the elongated sections42,44so that the weight of the apparatus20and any spool30supported thereby is substantially centered between the brackets63,65—and thus between the forks25of the forklift21accepted by the brackets63,65, for the purpose of lifting the apparatus20with the forks25. Therefore and to lift the apparatus20with the forklift21, the forks25thereof are directed tip end-first in sequence through the brackets63,65secured beneath one section42or44of the frame40and then through the brackets63,65secured beneath the other section44or42of the frame40so that portions of the forks25are positioned beneath both sections42and44for supporting the weight of the apparatus20transmitted to the sections42,44. It follows that the openings in the forklift brackets43,45provide fork-accepting slots which enable the frame40to be raised by a forklift21from either side of the frame40while the open ends of the sections42,44provide fork-accepting slots which enable the frame40to be raised by a forklift21from either the front or the rear of the apparatus frame40.

With reference again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the frame40also includes a pair of guide posts81,83which are joined to so as to extend upwardly from the sections42and44. In this connection, each guide post81or83includes opposite lower and upper ends82,84, respectively, and the lower end82is mounted upon and secured to (e.g. welded to) the upper surface of a corresponding section42or44so that the upper end84of the guide post81or83is directed upwardly from the corresponding section42or44. As best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, each guide post81or83is constructed of steel channel having an I-shaped cross section including a primary (central) portion85and portions86,88which extend outwardly of the primary portion85at one end thereof. Moreover, these outwardly-extending portions86,88define opposite surfaces90and92which are planar in form and, as will be apparent herein, provide linear guide tracks which extend between the lower and upper ends82,84of the post81,83and along which a corresponding carriage assembly100or102is guided as the carriage assembly100or102is raised or lowered with respect to the frame40. Further still and with reference again toFIGS. 1 and 2, an angularly-disposed brace member87is secured (i.e. welded) between each section42or44(at a location adjacent rear of the frame40) and the corresponding post81or83mounted upon the section42or44to help maintain the posts81and83in a stable and stationary relationship with respect to the elongated sections42,44upon which the posts81,83are mounted.

With reference again toFIG. 1, the depicted frame40also includes a pair of pillow blocks29,31which are mounted (e.g. with bolts) upon the upper surfaces of the elongated sections42,44adjacent one (i.e. the front) end of the frame40, and each guide post81or83is provided with a through-opening33disposed adjacent the upper end thereof. These pillow blocks29,31and through-openings33can be used to bodily lift the apparatus20, and any spool30supported thereby, by an overhead crane (not shown). In other words, the pillow blocks29,31and the through-openings33of the guide posts81,83provide openings through which hooks (which are suspended from an overhead crane) can be directed for purposes of lifting the apparatus20and the spool30supported thereby by way of the crane.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the apparatus20also includes a pair of jack-extendible telescoping post assemblies64,66(introduced earlier) for acting between the base41and the carriage assemblies100,102for purposes of lifting and supporting the spool30above the floor26. Within the depicted apparatus20, each telescoping post assembly64or66includes an arrangement of outer and inner sections (described herein) which are mounted upon a corresponding section42or44so as to extend substantially upwardly therefrom and an associated jack assembly68or70for moving the opposite ends of the post assembly64or66toward or away from one another and thereby raise or lower the carriage assembly100or102, and thus the item (i.e. the spool30) being supported by the post assembly64or66.

As exemplified by the post assembly64ofFIGS. 6 and 7, each post assembly64or66includes two opposite lower and upper ends72and74, respectively, and which is joined at one (i.e. the lower) end72to a corresponding elongated section42or44so that the other (i.e. the upper) end74of the post assembly64or66extends substantially upwardly therefrom. Each telescoping post assembly64or66includes a hollow outer tube section75(which provides the upper end74of the post assembly64or66) and a series of inner tube sections (described herein) which are accepted by one another and the outer tube section75in a nested relationship to permit the post assembly64or66to be lengthened or shortened as the inner tube sections and the outer tube section75are moved longitudinally with respect to one another in a telescoping fashion.

In connection with the foregoing, each post assembly64or66of the depicted apparatus20includes a first inner tube section76which is nestingly accepted by the hollow interior of the outer tube section75for sliding movement therealong, a second inner tube section77which is nestingly accepted by the hollow interior of the first inner tube section76for sliding movement therealong, and a third inner tube section78which is nestingly accepted by the hollow interior of the second inner tube section77for sliding movement therealong. Insofar as the third inner tube section78provides the lowermost section of the telescoping sections of each post assembly64or66, it is the third inner tube section78which provides the lower end72of the post assembly64or66of the depicted apparatus20.

It follows from the foregoing that the outer and inner tube sections75,76,77and78are sized to permit the tube sections75,76,77and78to telescopically move relative to one another and thereby permit the spaced distance between the lower and upper ends72,74of the post assembly64or66to be altered. Within the depicted apparatus20, each of the outer and inner tube sections75,76,77and78is comprised of steel tubing having a substantially square cross section and is sized to permit the tube sections75,76,77,78to be arranged in the aforedescribed nested relationship.

For attachment of each telescoping post assembly64and66to a corresponding elongated section42or44, the lowermost inner tube section78is joined (as by welding) to a horizontally-disposed base plate94which, in turn, is joined (as by welding) to the upper surface of a corresponding section42or44so that the post assembly64or66extends upwardly therefrom. Furthermore, there is provided along the length of the first inner tube section76(and adjacent the lower end thereof) a through-opening95, and there is provided along the length of the second inner tube section77a series of through-openings96. Each of the through-opening95and96opens front-to-rear with respect to the frame40. The first inner tube section76can be moved longitudinally (i.e. lengthways) of the inner second tube section77to selectively align the through-opening75with any through-opening96of the series of through-openings96. The first and second inner tube sections76and77can be secured in position with respect to one another by inserting a pin97through the aligned openings95and96, and the pin97is secured within the aligned through-openings95and96with a key98. It follows that in order to adjust the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77(and thereby adjust the spaced distance between the upper end of the first inner section76and the lower end of the second inner tube section77), the pin97is removed from the aligned openings95and96, the first inner tube section76is slidably moved along the length of the second inner tube section77to align the through-opening95with an alternative through-opening96, and the pin97is re-inserted through the aligned through-openings95,96to re-secure the first and second inner tube sections76,77in a fixed positional relationship with respect to one another.

Further still, there is provided along the length of the second inner tube section77(and adjacent the lower end thereof) a through-opening104, and there is provided along the length of the third inner tube section78a series of through-openings106. The second inner tube section77can be moved longitudinally (i.e. lengthways) of the third inner tube section78to selectively align the through-opening104with any through-opening106of the series of through-openings106. The second and third inner tube sections77and78can be secured in position with respect to one another by inserting a pin108through the aligned openings104and106, and the pin108is secured within the aligned through-openings104,106with a key109. It follows that in order to adjust the positional relationship between the second and third inner tube sections77,78(and thereby adjust the spaced distance between the upper end of the second inner tube section77and the lower end of the third inner tube section78, the pin108is removed from the aligned openings104and105, the second inner tube sections77is slidably moved along the length of the third inner tube section78to align the through-opening104with an alternative through-opening106, and the pin108is re-inserted through the aligned through-openings104,106to re-secure the second and third inner tube sections77,78in a fixed positional relationship with respect to one another.

It is also a feature of the apparatus20that it includes means, generally indicated110inFIGS. 1, 6 and 7, for telescopically moving the outer tube sections75and the first inner tube section76relative to one another to thereby alter the distance between the lower end of the first tube section75and the outer tube section75. Within the depicted apparatus20and as best shown inFIG. 6, the moving means110includes the aforementioned screw jack assemblies68,70which are associated with each of the telescoping post assemblies64and66enabling a user to mechanically move the opposite lower and upper ends72and74of a corresponding post assembly64or66toward and away from one another. As best shown inFIG. 6, each jack assembly68or70includes a substantially vertically-oriented externally-threaded screw114which is rotatably mounted within the interior of the outer tube section75by way of a bearing member116mounted adjacent the upper end, as viewed inFIG. 6, of the outer tube section75and an internally-threaded nut, or collar member118, which is fixedly secured within the interior of the inner tube section76adjacent the upper end thereof. With the screw114threadably accepted by the collar member118, rotation of the screw114in one rotational direction along the length of the outer tube section75forcibly moves the upper end of the outer tube section75and the lower end of the first inner tube section76away from one another, and rotation of the screw114in the opposite rotational direction along the length of the outer tube section75forcibly moves the upper end of the outer tube section75and the lower end of the first inner tube section76toward one another.

To facilitate the manual manipulation, or rotation, of the screw114by a user, there is provided a handle120which is joined (by way of a gear mechanism) to one end of the screw114adjacent the upper end of the outer tube section75. By grasping the grip, indicated122, of the handle120and then rotating the handle120relative to the outer tube section75about a substantially horizontally-disposed axis of rotation, the screw114is forced to rotate about its substantially vertically-disposed longitudinal axis.

With reference again toFIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the carriage assemblies100,102are supported upon the jack-extendible telescoping post assemblies64and66for movement of the carriage assemblies100and102upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame40as the outer tube section75is moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the first inner tube section76. To this end and as best shown by the carriage assembly100of theFIG. 8, each carriage assembly100or102includes a pair of identically-shaped plates130,132which arranged in substantially a parallel relationship with one another. Each plate130,132is elongated in shape and has two opposite ends126,128and is shaped so as to provide a cutout153along one (the upper) edge thereof and two boss portions156,158which protrude from one end126thereof. In addition, the plates130,132are joined together with strut members134and136which extend between the plates130,132.

More specifically and as best shown inFIG. 8, one strut member134is elongated (and substantially rectangular) in shape and has one linear edge138which is attached (e.g. as with welds) to the inner surface of the plate130at a location140(depicted in phantom) therealong and has an opposite linear edge142which is attached (as with welds) to the inner surface of the plate132at a location144(depicted in phantom) therealong. Similarly, the other strut member136is elongated (and substantially rectangular) in shape and has one linear edge146which is attached (as with welds) to the inner surface of the plate130at a location148(depicted in phantom) therealong and has an opposite linear edge150which is attached (as with welds) to the inner surface of the plate132at a location152(depicted in phantom) therealong. Together, the strut members134,136hold the plates130and132in a fixed and stationary relationship with respect to one another, and as will be apparent herein, the cutouts153of the plates130,132collectively provide a notch154for carriage assembly100or102which opens generally upwardly with respect to the frame40, as best shown inFIG. 1.

Each carriage assembly100,102also includes a pair of cylindrical rollers160,162(FIGS. 8-10) which are supported between the plates130,132and adjacent the cutout153thereof for rotation about substantially parallel axes. In this connection, there is provided within each plate130or132a pair of through-openings170,172which are aligned with the through-openings170,172of the other plate132or130. Each roller160or162includes internal bearings through which is provided a central opening174or176, and the rollers160and162are positioned between the plates130,132so that the central openings174,176thereof are aligned with the aligned through-openings170,172. Bolts178,180are directed shank end-first through the aligned openings170,174and172,176and secured therethrough with nuts182,184(and washers183,185).

As best shown inFIG. 10, the rollers160,162are large enough in diameter so that the outer cylindrical surfaces thereof extend above the bottom edges of the cutouts153, so that when the end portions17,18of tube16(FIG. 3) are fully accepted by the notches154of the carriage assemblies100,102for spool-lifting purposes, the tube end portions17,18rest upon the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers160,162of the carriage assemblies100,102and are free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube16atop the rollers160,162without interference from the plates130,132. It will also be understood that the rollers160,162are adapted to rotate about rotational axes which are oriented substantially horizontally and which traverse the frame40.

For securement of the plates130,132about the outer tube section75(and thus secure each carriage assembly100or102to a corresponding post assembly64or66, respectively), each plate130or132includes two vertically-aligned rows of openings190,192,194which are aligned with the rows of openings190,192,194provided in the other plate132or130, and the outer tube section75is positioned between the plates130,132thereof so as to be disposed between the two rows of openings190,192,194. Bolts196,198,200(FIGS. 9 and 10) are directed through the aligned openings190,192,194and nuts204(with washers202) are tightly threaded upon the externally-threaded ends of the bolts196,198,200opposite the heads thereof so that the outer tube section75is tightly sandwiched between the heads of the bolts196,198,200and the nuts204threaded thereon.

In practice, the spaced distance between the plates130,132is slightly larger than the width of the outer tube section75so that when the plates130,132are positioned about the outer tube section75, the plates130,132need only be tightened, or squeezed, together (by way of the bolts196,198,200and nuts204) by a relatively small amount in order for the inner surfaces of the plates130,132to frictionally grip the outer surfaces of the outer tube section75and thereby be prevented from shifting (upwardly or downwardly) along the length of the outer tube section75. However and to further reduce any likelihood that the carriage assemblies100,102could slip (i.e. downwardly) along the length of the outer tube section75during the use of the apparatus20, stop members206(FIG. 11) have been attached (e.g. welded) along the length of the outer tube section75and immediately below the shanks of bolts196,198used to secure the plates130,132about the outer tube section75. Therefore and in the event that the carriage assembly100or102were to slip downwardly along the surfaces of the outer tube section75, the shanks of the bolts196,198will come to rest upon the stop members206to prevent additional downward movement of the carriage assembly100or102along the outer tube section75.

It follows from the foregoing that as the lower and upper ends72,74of the post assemblies64,66are moved toward or away from one another by way of the jack assemblies68,70or through a re-adjustment of the (lengthwise) positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77or between the second and third inner tube sections77,78, the carriage assemblies100,102are moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame40by a corresponding amount. As will be apparent herein and as best shown inFIG. 11, this capacity of the carriage assembly100or102to be moved upwardly or downwardly in conjunction with the movement of the lower and upper ends72,74toward and away from one another enables the carriage assembly100or102to be raised or lowered with respect to the tube16positioned through the barrel32of the spool30between, for example, a lowered position, as illustrated in solid lines inFIG. 11, at which the upwardly-opening notch154is disposed at a location spaced beneath the tube end portion17or18and an elevated position, as illustrated in phantom inFIG. 11, at which the upwardly-opening notch154accepts the tube end portion17or18in a nested relationship at which the tube end portion17or18rests atop the rollers160,162of the carriage assembly100or102.

It is another feature of the apparatus20that each carriage assembly100or102includes an arrangement, generally indicated210inFIGS. 9 and 10, of cylindrical rollers which cooperate with the corresponding guide post81or83in a manner which permits the carriage assemblies100,102to be rollably guided upwardly or downwardly along the length of the guide posts81,83as the carriage assemblies100,102are raised or lowered relative to the frame40by way of the telescoping post assemblies64and66. To this end, the roller arrangement210includes a first pair of rollers212,214which are positioned between the plates120,132or, more specifically, the boss portions156,158provided adjacent the plate ends126, and are positioned therebetween so that the rollers212,214are arranged so that the rotational axes thereof are substantially parallel to one another. Meanwhile, the boss portions156,158are provided with horizontally-disposed through-openings224,226which are aligned with the through-openings224,226provided within the boss portions156,158of the other plate132or130for securement of the rollers212,214therebetween in a manner apparent herein.

In addition, there are provided two sets of plate-like linkage members216,218which are joined to the boss portions156,158and which support a second pair of rollers220,222for rollably engaging the surfaces92of the channel portion86as the carriage assembly100or102is guided therealong. As best shown inFIG. 8, each linkage member216or218includes a pair of through-openings223,225or227,229and one set of linkage members216are disposed outboard of the boss portions156of the plates130,132(and on opposite sides thereof) so that the through-opening223of each linkage member216is aligned with the through-opening224of the boss portions156and the central opening, indicated228inFIG. 6, of the roller220while the other set of linkage members218are disposed outboard of the boss portions158of the plates130,132(and on opposite sides thereof) so that the through-openings227of each linkage member218is aligned with the through-opening226of the boss portions158and the central opening, indicated230inFIG. 8, of the roller220.

A bolt232is directed shank end-first through the aligned through-openings223,224and central opening228, and a nut236is threaded upon the shank end of the bolt232so that the linkage members216, boss portions156and roller220are secured between the head of the bolt232and the nut236. If desired, a washer234can be positioned upon the shank of the bolt232between the nut236and the linkage members216through which the bolt232extends. Similarly, a bolt238is directed shank end-first through the aligned through-openings227,226and central opening230, and a nut242is threaded upon the shank end of the bolt238so that the linkage members218, boss portions158and roller222are secured between the head of the bolt238and the nut242. If desired, a washer240can be positioned upon the shank of the bolt238between the nut242and the linkage member218through the bolt238extends.

With reference still toFIG. 8, each of the rollers220is disposed adjacent the inboard side surface of the linkage member216and arranged in such a relation thereto so that the central opening, indicated244, of the roller220is aligned with the through-opening225of the linkage member216; and each of the rollers222is disposed adjacent the inboard side surface of the linkage member218and arranged in such a relation thereto so that the central opening, indicated246, of the roller222is aligned with the through-opening229of the linkage member218.

A bolt248is directed shank end-first through the aligned through-opening225and central opening244, and a nut250(with washer252) is threaded upon the bolt248so that each linkage member216and corresponding roller220is maintained between the head of the bolt248and the nut250. Similarly, a bolt254is directed shank end-first through the aligned through-opening229and central opening246, and a nut256(with washer258) is threaded upon the bolt254so that each linkage member218and corresponding roller222is maintained between the head of the bolt254and the nut256. It will be understood that the central through-opening of each roller212,214,220or222is provided by an internal bearing which permits the roller to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even though the internal bearing is tightly held between the head of the bolt which extends through the roller through-opening and the nut which is threaded upon the bolt.

As best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, each carriage assembly100or102is arranged about its corresponding guide post81or83so that the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers212and214engage the planar surface90defined along one side of the channel portions86,88of the guide post81or83and so that the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers220,222engage the planar surface92defined along the channel portions86,88opposite the surface90. With the rollers212,214,220and222positioned in engagement with the channel portions86,88in this manner, each guide post81or83is captured within the arrangement210of rollers so that movement of the carriage assemblies100,102relative to the guide posts81,83is limited to movement upwardly or downwardly along the length of the guide posts81,83as the rollers212,214,220and222rollably engage the corresponding ones of the surfaces90,92of the channel portions86,88. It follows that as the carriage assemblies100,102are moved upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame40by way of the jack-extendible post assemblies64and66, each guide post81or83and corresponding carriage assembly100or102act as guide track and guide track follower, respectively, as the arrangement210of rollers of the carriage assemblies100,102roll upwardly or downwardly along the surfaces90,92of the guide posts81,83.

To utilize the apparatus20for lifting the spool30which rests upon a floor26and whose barrel has a tube16positioned therein, as depicted in phantomFIG. 3, so that the end portions17,18of the tube16extend outboard of the spool flanges34, the apparatus20is wheeled, or otherwise manipulated, about the spool30so that the elongated sections42,44are disposed on opposite sides of the spool30(and outboard of the flanges34,36thereof) so that the upwardly-opening notch154provided in each carriage assembly100or102is disposed beneath and in substantially vertical registry with a corresponding end portion17or18of the tube16, as depicted in solid lines inFIG. 11. If the notches154of the carriage assemblies100,102are disposed below the tube end portions17,18by an appreciable distance, as may be the case if the spool30is quite large in diameter, the carriage assemblies100,102can be raised to a position much closer to the tube end portions17,18(i.e. within a few inches) by manually extending the telescoping post assemblies64,66by way of the telescoping inner tube sections76,77and78, rather than by way of the jack assemblies68,70.

In other words, by removing one or both of the pins97,108from the aligned through-openings provided in the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or from the aligned through-openings provided in the second and third inner tube sections77,78, and then manually lifting the carriage assemblies100and102away from the frame base41to lengthen the post assemblies64,66and thereby adjust the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or thereby adjust the positional relationship between the second and third inner tube sections77,78, the carriage assemblies100,102can be raised to a position much closer to the tube end portions17,18relatively quickly. To re-secure the first and second inner tube sections76,77or the second and third inner tube sections77,78in a fixed stationary position with respect to one another, the pins97and/or108are re-inserted into an alternative pair of aligned through-openings in the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or in the second and third inner tube sections77,78.

Once the bottom of the notches154of the carriage assemblies100,102have been raised to within a few inches of the tube end portions17,18by altering, if necessary, the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or the positional relationship between the second and third inner tube sections77,78as aforedescribed, the handle120of the jack assemblies68and70can be rotated in the appropriate rotational direction about its horizontally-disposed rotational axis to raise the rollers160,162of the carriage assemblies100,102into engagement with the tube end portions17,18and for ultimately lifting the spool30so that the rims35of its flanges34are in an elevated position above the floor26. Supported above the floor26in such a manner, the spool30is free to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of its barrel32as the tube end portions17,18are free to rotate atop the rollers160,162. Furthermore and as best shown inFIG. 12, a forklift21can be used to lift and move the apparatus20and any spool30supported thereby by directing the forks25of the forklift21tip end-first into the open ends of the elongated sections42,44disposed at the rear of the frame40(as shown inFIG. 12) or, in the alternative, into (and through both sets of) the forklift brackets63,65attached to the base41on the underside of the elongated sections42,44from either side of the frame40and then lifting the frame41from the floor26with the forks25.

An advantage provided by the telescoping post assemblies64,66relates to the fact that the spaced distance between the lower and upper ends72,74thereof can be altered by either of two methods. One such method involves the use of the jack assemblies68,70for telescopically moving the outer tube section75and the first inner tube section76relative to one another, and the other method involves the adjustment in the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or between the second and third inner tube sections77,78by telescopically shifting the inner tube sections76,77or the inner tube sections77,78relative to one another to an alternative positional relationship and then re-securing (with the pins97,108) the inner tube sections76,77or the inner tube sections77,78in the alternative positional relationship.

In practice and due, at least in part, to the fact that large scale adjustments to the spaced distance between the lower and upper ends72,74of the telescoping post assemblies64,66are normally made more quickly by adjusting the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77and between the second and third inner tube sections77,78than can be made with by way of the jack assemblies68,70, it is preferable that any initial (e.g. large scale) adjustments be made to the height of the post assemblies44,46by first altering the positional relationship between the first and second inner tube sections76,77and/or between the second and third inner tube sections77,78before the jack assemblies68,70are used to move the lower and upper ends72,74of the post assemblies64and68apart.

Another advantage provided by the telescoping outer and inner tube sections75,76,77,78relates to the fact that the telescoping capacity of these multiple sections enables the post assemblies64,66to be adjusted in height between a relatively short condition at which the tube sections are collapsed, as best shown inFIG. 1, and a relatively high condition at which the tube sections are fully extended, as best shown inFIG. 7. This telescoping capacity enables the apparatus20to be used to lift spools from the floor whose diameter falls within a relatively large range of diameters (e.g. between about sixteen inches and twelve feet).

Still another advantage provided by the apparatus20relates to the capacity of the guide posts81,83to strengthen, and thus rigidify, the telescoping post assemblies64,66while a spool30is supported above the floor26by the apparatus20. In this regard, much of this strengthening capacity of the guide posts81,83is due, at least in part, to the captured relationship of the channel portions84,86by the arrangement210of rollers of the carriage assemblies100,102so that in the event that the apparatus20is somehow leaned or tipped in such a manner that its telescoping post assemblies64,66are no longer vertical, the guide posts81,83provide a base to which the arrangement210of rollers remains solidly attached. This strengthening capacity of the guide posts81,83can be readily appreciated in view of the fact that during a process to lift the apparatus20, and any spool30supported thereby, with a forklift21or an overhead crane for movement of the apparatus20and spool30to an alternative site, the apparatus20could be leaned or tipped in a manner which moves the post assemblies64,66out of a true vertical orientation.

Exemplary dimensions of the apparatus20are provided here as follows: The length of each elongated section42or44is about fifty inches; each elongated section42or44is about five inches in width (as measured laterally across its top surface); the height of each telescoping post assembly64or66when in its collapsed condition (i.e. shortest condition), is about twenty-five inches; the vertical height of each guide post81or83is about forty-eight inches; the cross section of the channel of each guide post81or83can measure about six inches along (the length of) its primary portion85and about four inches in width, as measured laterally across the channel surface90thereof; the plates130,132of each carriage assembly100or102of each carriage assembly100or102are about 0.5 inches thick and are spaced about three inches apart; and the upwardly-opening notch154of each carriage assembly130or132measures about 4.5 inches in width (to accept tubes having a diameter of less than about 4.5 inches). The width of the frame40can be adjusted by way of the intermediate assembly43from between about thirty-four inches and about seventy-two inches; and each wheel54of a wheel assembly55is about six inches in diameter. An apparatus having the aforedescribed dimensions can be used to lift and support a spool30having a diameter within a range of between about 16.0 inches and twelve feet.

It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment20without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the aforedescribed embodiment20has been shown and described as being usable with or without the wheel assemblies55(best shown inFIG. 5), alternative componentry can be connected to the frame40by way of the L-shaped brackets50and the guide tracks52defined therebetween. For example and with reference toFIG. 13, instead of accepting a wheel assembly55within its guide track52, each guide track52can accept a bracket assembly280for accepting a fork25of a forklift21directed therethrough into one side of the frame40. The depictedFIG. 13bracket assembly280includes a steel plate282to which is secured (e.g. welded) a U-shaped bracket284on the underside thereof. As is the case with the wheel assembly55depicted inFIG. 5, theFIG. 13bracket assembly280can be positioned within the guide track52by raising the spring-biased pin60to its retracted (FIG. 13phantom-line) position and then directing the steel plate282of the bracket assembly280edge-first into the (open) mouth of the guide track52so that the side edges of the steel plate282are slidably guided along the L-shaped brackets50of the guide track52. Upon movement of the plate282into abutting relationship with the stop members56(FIG. 5) disposed adjacent the rear of the guide track52, the pin60is released from its retracted position and permitted to return to its extended (FIG. 13solid-line) position and thereby close the mouth of the guide track52so that the bracket assembly280is captured between the stop members56and the pin60. The bracket assemblies280can supplement or obviate the aforedescribed forklift brackets63,65mounted between the base41of the frame40.

Further still and with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15, the aforedescribed apparatus20can be equipped with a motor assembly300for drivingly rotating the spool30about the longitudinal axis of its barrel32when the spool30is lifted from the floor26by way of the apparatus20and the tube16. In this connection, the assembly300includes an electric motor302which is adapted to receive electrical power through a cord303and which is mounted upon the carriage assembly100by way of a suitable bracket305. The assembly300also includes a gear box304disposed adjacent one end of the motor302and having an output drive shaft306. The drive shaft of the motor302is appropriately connected to the gear box304so that operation of the motor302effects the rotation of the output drive shaft306. If desired, the motor302can be a reversible motor which provides a user with the option of rotating the drive shaft306in one or the other rotational direction about its longitudinal axis for rotating the spool30in one or the other rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the barrel32.

For purposes of transferring the rotational forces of the output drive shaft306to the spool30, there is provided within a flange34of the spool30an preformed opening310(best shown inFIG. 15) disposed to one side of the barrel32of the spool30, and a bracket assembly312is mounted upon the tube16for cooperating between the tube16and the spool30so that rotation of the tube16effects the forced rotation of the spool30about the longitudinal axis of its barrel32. More specifically, the bracket assembly312includes a tubular section314which is positioned about the tube end portion17adjacent the spool flange34, and a linear member316(formed, for example, of steel channel having a substantially square cross section) is attached (e.g. welded) to the tubular section314so as to extend radially outwardly from one side thereof. A steel sleeve member318is slidably mounted upon the linear member316, and a pin320is connected to the sleeve member318by way of an apertured boss portion322secured to one side thereof for acceptance by the opening310provided in the flange34, and a set screw324is directed through one side of the boss portion322and against the side of the pin302. As the tube16is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the spool30is forced to rotate by way of the pin320(having an end which is accepted by the flange opening310) as the sleeve member318is permitted to shift along the length of the linear member316during a revolution of the spool30about its rotational axis to compensate for the variation in spacing between the preformed opening310and the tube16through a signal revolution of the spool30.

To connect the bracket assembly312between the tube16and the spool flange34, the tubular section314is slid over the tube end portion17toward the flange34, and the pin320(which is fixed in position along the aperture of the boss portion322by way of the set screw324) is directed into the preformed opening310of the spool flange34. At that point, the tubular section314can be fixedly secured to the tube end portion17with a pair of set screws328which are directed through openings330(only one shown inFIG. 15) provided in the opposite sides of the tubular section314and tightened against the side surfaces thereof.

For transferring rotational forces of the drive shaft306to the tube16, the motor assembly300also includes an adaptor332including a tubular section334and a pair of spring-biased pins336,338which are slidably positioned within a pair of housings340,342mounted along the side of the tubular section334for movement between an extended position (as depicted in solid lines inFIG. 15) at which the pins336,338are disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the tubular section334and a retracted position (as depicted in phantom inFIG. 15) at which the pins336,338are disposed entirely radially outwardly of the inner surface of the tubular section334. If desired, the housings340,342and pins336,338can be made to cooperate with one another so that rotation of the pins336,338through about ninety degrees of movement about its longitudinal axis relative to the housings340,342releasably locks the pins336,338in the retracted positions.

In order that the adaptor332cooperate with both the output drive shaft306of the gear box304and the tube16in its intended manner, the drive shaft306includes a preformed opening346adjacent the end thereof which opens radially outwardly of the drive shaft300, and the tube end portion17is provided with a pre-formed opening348which opens radially outwardly of the tube end portion17. When assembled, the tube end portion17is accepted by one end of the tubular section334of the adaptor332, the drive shaft306is accepted by the other end of the tubular section334, and each pin336or338is aligned (in registry) with and accepted by a corresponding preformed opening348or346provided in the drive shaft306and tube end portion17. With each pin336or338disposed in its extended position and received by the corresponding preformed opening348or346, the tube16is secured to the drive shaft306so that rotation of the drive shaft306in either rotational direction about its longitudinal axis effects the rotation of the spool30about the longitudinal axis of its barrel32in the corresponding (i.e. the same) rotational direction.

To disengage the tube16from the drive shaft306to, for example, permit the spool30to rotate freely about the rollers212,214of the carriage assemblies100,102, the pins336,338can be manually withdrawn to the retracted (FIG. 15phantom-line) positions to withdraw the pins336,338from the openings348and346, and the tubular section334of the adaptor332is then shifted axially of the drive shaft306and tube16so that upon release of the pins336,338, the pins336,338are no longer in registry with for acceptance by the openings348and346of the drive shaft306and tube end portion17. With the pins336,338disposed out of registry with the openings348,346, the spool30can be freely rotated about the rollers160,162. It follows that the aforedescribed motor assembly300, along with the bracket assembly312and adaptor332, provides a means by which the spool30can be drivingly rotated about the longitudinal axis of its barrel32for either winding a material39about the spool30or unwinding a material39from the spool30or, if desired, permitting the spool30to freely rotate about the rollers212,214by disengaging the tube section17from the drive shaft306.

Yet further still and although the jack assemblies68,70of the apparatus20have been shown and described as being screw jacks, the jack assemblies used for altering the positional relationship between the outer tube section75and first inner tube section76of the telescoping post assemblies64,66can be an alternative type of jack assembly, such as a hydraulic jack assembly.

Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment20is intended for the purpose of illustration and not as limitation.