Apparatus for transporting commercial and industrial appliance units

Disclosed are various embodiments of an apparatus for raising, suspending, transporting, and lowering appliance units for installation and removal. Two support frame assemblies, each having telescopic legs attached to wheels and upper support brackets from which the appliance unit is suspended, are connected by a removable frame connector. The apparatus may then be rolled across a rooftop to move and place the appliance unit. The frame connector may be replaced with a retention connector and supplemented with a lower retention connector for efficient storage and transport of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Various types of vehicles and devices—including cranes, helicopters, forklifts, dollies and carts—may be used to lift and transport objects, such as large HVAC-type appliances. Such vehicles and devices are commonly used for hoisting, moving and lowering such objects. However, large cranes and helicopters are often prohibitively expensive for use in installing commercial or industrial HVAC-type units or for the lengths of time required to lift and install multiple HVAC-type appliances. Moreover, large cranes and helicopters often require advanced scheduling and several crew members to operate. In addition, commercial and industrial roof-top HVAC-type units are typically very heavy, weighing hundreds to thousands of pounds. Thus, due to the significant weight of the units, there is often substantial risk when suspending a unit from a crane boom or helicopter rigging over a building for extended amounts of time or in high wind conditions. For instance, in the event of a rigging failure, the unit could fall onto the building roof and possibly through the roof into the building structure, thereby damaging the unit, damaging the building roof and substructure, and possibly injuring building occupants. Furthermore, many building roofs are not substantially strong enough or designed and built to support the weight of traditional heavy lifting equipment, such as a forklift, that could otherwise lift and place a massive commercial or industrial HVAC-type appliance on a flat-surface roof without the use of a crane or helicopter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, devices, and systems for lifting, transporting, positioning and lowering heavy mechanical systems and appliances, such as, e.g., commercial and industrial heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (“HVAC”) units for installation on building rooftops. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses an apparatus that can raise, suspend, transport, and lower appliance units that, because of their substantial weight, cannot be safely or cost-effectively picked up, lifted, and/or suspended over a flat-roofed commercial or industrial building by large cranes or helicopters.

In the following discussion, a general description of the embodiments of a suspension apparatus for transporting commercial and industrial appliance units is provided. With reference toFIG. 1, shown is a drawing of an example of a suspension apparatus100in an in-use configuration in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The suspension apparatus100is depicted with a commercial or industrial appliance unit600suspended from the suspension apparatus100to demonstrate the ability to transport the appliance unit600.

As depicted inFIG. 1, the suspension apparatus100may comprise a first support frame101and at least a second support frame102. Each support frame101/102may comprise a tube frame120, an upper support bracket assembly110, and two telescopic legs103contained within the lateral support posts104of each tube frame120. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the tube frame120may comprise lateral support posts104and a base post121. In some embodiments, each tube frame120may be approximately five to seven feet in height and approximately four feet wide at the base. In other embodiments, the tube frame120may comprise other dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the telescopic legs103may each be approximately four feet in length. As such, the suspension apparatus100may have an adjustable height up to approximately twelve feet. In other embodiments, the telescopic legs103may comprise other dimensions. While the tube frame120, as illustrated inFIG. 1, is triangular in shape, it should be noted that the tube frame120may be rectangular, square, pentagonal, and/or any other appropriate type of shape. Additional cross bracing may be included for strength and stability.

Each upper support bracket assembly110may comprise an upper support bracket plate117and an upper support bracket sleeve111. In some embodiments, the upper support bracket plate117may be approximately eight inches wide. In other embodiments, the upper support bracket plate117may comprise other widths. Each upper support bracket assembly110may be coupled to a respective tube frame120near a top end of the respective tube frame120. In some embodiments, the upper support bracket assembly110may be secured to the tube frame120via welding, and/or other type of suitable bonding. A base plate105may be affixed to a lower terminus of each telescopic leg103. A moveable wheel assembly201may be detachably attached to each base plate105in a manner that allows the wheel assembly201to swivel around the longitudinal axis of the respective telescopic leg103to which the wheel assembly201is attached. The wheel assembly201may be detachably attached to each base plate105with fastening device, such as, for example, a bolt, a screw, a pin, a cotter key, and/or any other appropriate type of fastening device. For example, a pin assembly (not shown) may be used to lock the wheel assemblies201for the first support frame101and the wheel assemblies201for the second support frame102. In some embodiments, each wheel assembly201may comprise a tire202, an axle203, a wheel204, and a wheel housing bracket205.

The first support frame101and the second support frame102may be connected to each other via a frame connector301. The frame connector301may vary in length according to the required or desired width of the suspension apparatus100to accommodate the width of appliance unit600. In some embodiments, the frame connector301may be up to twenty feet in length. Additionally, in some embodiments, the frame connector301may be approximately two inches in width and approximately two inches in height. The frame connector301may be coupled to a top end of each of the first support frame101and the second support frame102. Although the frame connector301as shown isFIG. 1illustrates a bar, it should be noted that the frame connector301may comprise a plate, a bar, a rod, a pipe and/or other type of appropriate connecting means. In some embodiments, the frame connector301is coupled to the first support frame101and the second support frame102via the upper support bracket assembly110of the first support frame101and the upper support bracket assembly110of the second support frame102. In some embodiments, a first end of the frame connector301may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve111of the upper support bracket assembly110of the first support frame101. Additionally, a second end of the frame connector301may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve111of the upper support bracket assembly110of the second support frame102. The frame connector301may extend through the upper support bracket sleeves111and protrude from an upper distal opening112on the opposite side of the upper support bracket sleeve111.

The frame connector301may be secured within each upper support bracket sleeve111by one or more, upper fasteners302such as, for example, set screw type fasteners. The upper fasteners302may be inserted through upper holes303in top face304(FIG. 3) of upper support bracket assembly110and engage frame fastener receptacle ports305on top face of frame connector301to prevent the frame connector301from moving laterally during use of the suspension apparatus100. In some embodiments, the frame connector301may be adjustably coupled to at least one of the first support frame101or the second support frame102. For example, the frame connector may comprise multiple frame fastener receptacle ports305allowing the frame connector301to be secured to the first support frame101and the second support frame at varying positions. As such, a distance between the first support frame101and the second support frame102may be adjusted based on which frame fastener receptacle ports305are used to secure the frame connector301to the first support frame101and the second support frame102.

The appliance unit600may be suspended from each upper support bracket assembly110by a suspension element401, which in alternative embodiments may consist of, for example, chains, cable slings, nylon slings, come-along devices or any other appropriate type of suspension support or combinations thereof. The suspension element401is connected to the upper support bracket assembly110of the first support frame101and the second support frame102at connection ports, or “pick points,”115on the upper support bracket assembly110by use of connectors116, such as, for example, hooks, U-bolts or carriage bolts inserted through or connected to suspension connection ports115in the upper support bracket plate117. In some embodiments, the suspension element401may be adjusted to raise and/or lower the appliance unit600about the suspension apparatus100.

Referring next toFIG. 2, shown is a perspective view of an example of the suspension apparatus100in its in-use configuration utilizing the components ofFIG. 1without the appliance unit600and the suspension element401. As shown inFIG. 2, the upper fasteners302and the frame connector301may be removed from the upper support bracket sleeves111of the suspension apparatus100for storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus100. As will be discussed in more detail with reference toFIG. 3, the suspension apparatus100may be modified for storage and/or transport such that a distance between the first support frame101and the second support frame102is smaller than the distance in the in-use configuration of the suspension apparatus100.

Moving on toFIG. 3, shown is a drawing of an example of the suspension apparatus100modified for storage and/or transport. As illustrated inFIG. 3, an upper retention connector311may be coupled to the upper support bracket assembly110of the first support frame101and the second support frame102to maintain the connection between the first support frame101and the second support frame102for storage and transport of the suspension apparatus100. Although the upper retention connector311is shown as a bar inFIG. 3, the upper retention connector311may comprise a plate, a bar, a rod, a pipe, and/or other type of appropriate connecting means. To allow for compact storage, the length of the upper retention connector311is less than the length of the frame connector301.

In some embodiments, a first end of the upper retention connector311may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve111of the first support frame101and the second end of the upper retention connector311may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve111of the second support frame102. The upper retention connector311may be secured to the first support frame101and the second support frame102by upper fasteners302. For example, the upper retention connector311may be secured to the first support frame101and the second support frame by the upper fasteners302that are inserted through the upper holes303in a top face of upper support bracket assembly110and engaged with the upper retention fastener receptacle ports314on the top face of the upper retention connector311to prevent the upper retention connector311from moving laterally during storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus100.

With further reference toFIG. 3, for storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus100, a lower retention connector321may be coupled to the base post121of the tube frame120of the first support frame101and the base post121of the tube frame120of the second support frame102. Although the lower retention connector321is shown as a bar inFIG. 3, the lower retention connector321may comprise a plate, a bar, a rod, a pipe, and/or other type of appropriate connecting means. To allow for compact storage, the length of the lower retention connector321is less than the length of the frame connector301.

In some embodiments, the lower retention connector321may be inserted into a lower retention connector sleeve320on a top face of the base post121of each the first support frame101and the second support frame102by inserting one of each end of the lower retention connector321through each lower retention connector sleeve320. The lower retention connector321may extend through a lower distal opening322of one or both of the lower retention connector sleeves320. The lower retention connector321is secured to the first support frame101and the second support frame102. For example, the lower retention connector321may be secured within each lower retention connector sleeve320by lower fasteners323, such as, for example, screw type fasteners. The lower fasteners323may insert through a lower hole324in top face of each of the lower retention connector sleeves320and engage lower retention fastener receptacle ports325on a top face of each lower retention connector321to prevent the lower retention connector321from moving laterally during storage or transport of the apparatus.

For expansion and use of suspension apparatus100, the upper retention connector311and the lower retention connector321may be removed from the suspension apparatus100by removing the upper fasteners302and/or lower fasteners323and removing the upper retention connector311and the lower retention connector321, respectively.

It should be noted that whileFIG. 3illustrates using the upper retention connector311to connect an upper portion of the first support frame101to an upper portion of the second support frame102for transport and/or storage. The frame connector301, rather than the retention connector311, may also be used for storage and/or transport. Accordingly, the upper fasteners302may be removed and the distance between the first support frame and the second support frame may be adjusted by moving the first support frame101and/or the second support frame102closer to one another until a desired distance is reached for storage and/or transport. When a desired distance is achieved, the upper fasteners302may be used to secure the frame connector301to the first support frame101and the second support frame102.

Referring next toFIG. 4, the telescopic legs103comprise two sets of opposing, integrated pin receptacle ports114along the length of the telescopic legs103at fixed intervals133for adjustment of the height of the suspension apparatus100. The telescopic legs103may be secured at the desired height by insertion of leg fasteners134, which may comprise, for example, bolt-and-cotter pins135and/or other type of appropriate fastening devices. The height of the suspension apparatus100may be adjusted by removing the leg fasteners134, adjusting the telescopic leg103heights, and re-inserting the leg fasteners134when suspension apparatus100is at desired height. As previously stated, the extendable legs may be about seven feet in length.

With reference to the examples illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, it is understood that in various embodiments, the tube frame120, the telescopic legs103, the upper support bracket sleeves111, the frame connector301, and the upper retention connector311and the lower retention connector321may comprise of 3/16″, ¼″, or other dimensions as can be understood of thick steel or aluminum tubing or other shape. In addition, in various embodiments, the suspension apparatus100may be configured to support an appliance unit600having a weight up to 3500 pounds or other weight.

Referring next toFIG. 5, shown is a flowchart500illustrating an example of a method for transporting an appliance unit600(FIG. 1). Beginning with reference numeral503, the suspension element401(FIG. 1) is attached to the appliance unit600to secure the appliance unit600to the suspension apparatus100(FIG. 1) for transportation from a first location to a second location. For example, the suspension apparatus100may be used to lift appliance units600that are placed at the edge of a building roof by a crane by securing the appliance unit600within the suspension element401, by using, for example, a harness configuration or by attaching the suspension element401to or through lift ports on the appliance unit600or unit frame601(FIG. 1). At reference numeral506, the appliance unit600is transported from the first location to the second location. For example, the suspension apparatus100containing the appliance unit600may be rolled across the building roof to the installation site, where the appliance unit600can be lowered from the suspension apparatus100at the desired site and to the desired unit height. Similarly, the suspension apparatus100may be used to lift existing commercial or industrial appliance units600from, for example, HVAC roof curbing for removal of the unit600by attaching suspension element401to the appliance unit600or unit frame601, lifting the unit600, and rolling the suspension apparatus100containing the appliance unit600to the edge of the building roof where it can then be lowered and detached from the suspension apparatus100for removal from the building roof by a crane or other heavy lifting device, vehicle or mechanism.

At reference numeral509, the suspension element401is removed from the appliance unit600. Accordingly, when the appliance unit600is at the desired site for installation and/or removal, the suspension element401may be adjusted to lower the appliance unit600. Once the appliance unit600is lowered, the suspension element401may be removed from the appliance unit600.

At reference numeral512, the suspension apparatus100may be modified for storage and/or transport. The suspension apparatus100may be modified for storage and/or transportation by removing the suspension element401connected to the first support frame101(FIG. 1) and the second support frame102(FIG. 1). In addition, the frame connector301(FIG. 1) may be removed from the suspension apparatus100by unfastening and removing the upper fasteners302(FIG. 1) securing the frame connector301to the first support frame101and the second support frame102. When the frame connector301is removed, an upper retention connector311(FIG. 3) may be used to replace the frame connector301. As previously discussed, the upper retention connector311may be smaller in length than the frame connector301. Accordingly, the first support frame101and the second support frame102may be moved closer to each other so that the upper retention connector311may be used to connect the first support frame101to the second support frame102. Similar to the frame connector301, the upper retention connector311may be mounted to the first support frame101and the second support frame102via the upper fasteners302to prevent the upper retention connector311from moving laterally during storage or transport of the suspension apparatus100.

In addition, the suspension apparatus100may be further modified for storage and transport, by attaching a lower retention connector321(FIG. 3) to the base posts121(FIG. 1) of the first support frame101and the second support frame102. For example, the lower retention connector321may be inserted into a lower retention connector sleeve320(FIG. 3) on top face of the base post121of the first support frame101and the second support frame102by inserting one of each end of the lower retention connector321through the lower retention connector sleeves320and extending through each lower distal opening322(FIG. 3) of the lower retention connector sleeves320. The lower retention connector321may be secured to the first support frame101and the second support frame102via lower fasteners323to prevent the lower retention connector321from moving laterally during storage or transport of the suspension apparatus100. The lower retention connector321may be similar in length to the upper retention connector311.