Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application titled “A-FRAME APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLIANCE UNITS” filed on Nov. 21, 2012 and assigned application number 61/729,168, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in an in-use configuration supporting a commercial or industrial appliance unit for transporting in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  without the appliance unit, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in its stored or transported configuration in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary telescopic leg of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the use of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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 to  FIG. 1 , shown is a drawing of an example of a suspension apparatus  100  in an in-use configuration in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The suspension apparatus  100  is depicted with a commercial or industrial appliance unit  600  suspended from the suspension apparatus  100  to demonstrate the ability to transport the appliance unit  600 . 
         [0011]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the suspension apparatus  100  may comprise a first support frame  101  and at least a second support frame  102 . Each support frame  101 / 102  may comprise a tube frame  120 , an upper support bracket assembly  110 , and two telescopic legs  103  contained within the lateral support posts  104  of each tube frame  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tube frame  120  may comprise lateral support posts  104  and a base post  121 . In some embodiments, each tube frame  120  may be approximately five to seven feet in height and approximately four feet wide at the base. In other embodiments, the tube frame  120  may comprise other dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the telescopic legs  103  may each be approximately four feet in length. As such, the suspension apparatus  100  may have an adjustable height up to approximately twelve feet. In other embodiments, the telescopic legs  103  may comprise other dimensions. While the tube frame  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is triangular in shape, it should be noted that the tube frame  120  may be rectangular, square, pentagonal, and/or any other appropriate type of shape. Additional cross bracing may be included for strength and stability. 
         [0012]    Each upper support bracket assembly  110  may comprise an upper support bracket plate  117  and an upper support bracket sleeve  111 . In some embodiments, the upper support bracket plate  117  may be approximately eight inches wide. In other embodiments, the upper support bracket plate  117  may comprise other widths. Each upper support bracket assembly  110  may be coupled to a respective tube frame  120  near a top end of the respective tube frame  120 . In some embodiments, the upper support bracket assembly  110  may be secured to the tube frame  120  via welding, and/or other type of suitable bonding. A base plate  105  may be affixed to a lower terminus of each telescopic leg  103 . A moveable wheel assembly  201  may be detachably attached to each base plate  105  in a manner that allows the wheel assembly  201  to swivel around the longitudinal axis of the respective telescopic leg  103  to which the wheel assembly  201  is attached. The wheel assembly  201  may be detachably attached to each base plate  105  with 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 assemblies  201  for the first support frame  101  and the wheel assemblies  201  for the second support frame  102 . In some embodiments, each wheel assembly  201  may comprise a tire  202 , an axle  203 , a wheel  204 , and a wheel housing bracket  205 . 
         [0013]    The first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  may be connected to each other via a frame connector  301 . The frame connector  301  may vary in length according to the required or desired width of the suspension apparatus  100  to accommodate the width of appliance unit  600 . In some embodiments, the frame connector  301  may be up to twenty feet in length. Additionally, in some embodiments, the frame connector  301  may be approximately two inches in width and approximately two inches in height. The frame connector  301  may be coupled to a top end of each of the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . Although the frame connector  301  as shown is  FIG. 1  illustrates a bar, it should be noted that the frame connector  301  may comprise a plate, a bar, a rod, a pipe and/or other type of appropriate connecting means. In some embodiments, the frame connector  301  is coupled to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  via the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the first support frame  101  and the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the second support frame  102 . In some embodiments, a first end of the frame connector  301  may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve  111  of the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the first support frame  101 . Additionally, a second end of the frame connector  301  may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve  111  of the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the second support frame  102 . The frame connector  301  may extend through the upper support bracket sleeves  111  and protrude from an upper distal opening  112  on the opposite side of the upper support bracket sleeve  111 . 
         [0014]    The frame connector  301  may be secured within each upper support bracket sleeve  111  by one or more, upper fasteners  302  such as, for example, set screw type fasteners. The upper fasteners  302  may be inserted through upper holes  303  in top face  304  ( FIG. 3 ) of upper support bracket assembly  110  and engage frame fastener receptacle ports  305  on top face of frame connector  301  to prevent the frame connector  301  from moving laterally during use of the suspension apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the frame connector  301  may be adjustably coupled to at least one of the first support frame  101  or the second support frame  102 . For example, the frame connector may comprise multiple frame fastener receptacle ports  305  allowing the frame connector  301  to be secured to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame at varying positions. As such, a distance between the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  may be adjusted based on which frame fastener receptacle ports  305  are used to secure the frame connector  301  to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . 
         [0015]    The appliance unit  600  may be suspended from each upper support bracket assembly  110  by a suspension element  401 , 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 element  401  is connected to the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  at connection ports, or “pick points,”  115  on the upper support bracket assembly  110  by use of connectors  116 , such as, for example, hooks, U-bolts or carriage bolts inserted through or connected to suspension connection ports  115  in the upper support bracket plate  117 . In some embodiments, the suspension element  401  may be adjusted to raise and/or lower the appliance unit  600  about the suspension apparatus  100 . 
         [0016]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective view of an example of the suspension apparatus  100  in its in-use configuration utilizing the components of  FIG. 1  without the appliance unit  600  and the suspension element  401 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper fasteners  302  and the frame connector  301  may be removed from the upper support bracket sleeves  111  of the suspension apparatus  100  for storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus  100 . As will be discussed in more detail with reference to  FIG. 3 , the suspension apparatus  100  may be modified for storage and/or transport such that a distance between the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  is smaller than the distance in the in-use configuration of the suspension apparatus  100 . 
         [0017]    Moving on to  FIG. 3 , shown is a drawing of an example of the suspension apparatus  100  modified for storage and/or transport. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an upper retention connector  311  may be coupled to the upper support bracket assembly  110  of the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  to maintain the connection between the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  for storage and transport of the suspension apparatus  100 . Although the upper retention connector  311  is shown as a bar in  FIG. 3 , the upper retention connector  311  may 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 connector  311  is less than the length of the frame connector  301 . 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, a first end of the upper retention connector  311  may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve  111  of the first support frame  101  and the second end of the upper retention connector  311  may be inserted into the upper support bracket sleeve  111  of the second support frame  102 . The upper retention connector  311  may be secured to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  by upper fasteners  302 . For example, the upper retention connector  311  may be secured to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame by the upper fasteners  302  that are inserted through the upper holes  303  in a top face of upper support bracket assembly  110  and engaged with the upper retention fastener receptacle ports  314  on the top face of the upper retention connector  311  to prevent the upper retention connector  311  from moving laterally during storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus  100 . 
         [0019]    With further reference to  FIG. 3 , for storage and/or transport of the suspension apparatus  100 , a lower retention connector  321  may be coupled to the base post  121  of the tube frame  120  of the first support frame  101  and the base post  121  of the tube frame  120  of the second support frame  102 . Although the lower retention connector  321  is shown as a bar in  FIG. 3 , the lower retention connector  321  may 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 connector  321  is less than the length of the frame connector  301 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the lower retention connector  321  may be inserted into a lower retention connector sleeve  320  on a top face of the base post  121  of each the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  by inserting one of each end of the lower retention connector  321  through each lower retention connector sleeve  320 . The lower retention connector  321  may extend through a lower distal opening  322  of one or both of the lower retention connector sleeves  320 . The lower retention connector  321  is secured to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . For example, the lower retention connector  321  may be secured within each lower retention connector sleeve  320  by lower fasteners  323 , such as, for example, screw type fasteners. The lower fasteners  323  may insert through a lower hole  324  in top face of each of the lower retention connector sleeves  320  and engage lower retention fastener receptacle ports  325  on a top face of each lower retention connector  321  to prevent the lower retention connector  321  from moving laterally during storage or transport of the apparatus. 
         [0021]    For expansion and use of suspension apparatus  100 , the upper retention connector  311  and the lower retention connector  321  may be removed from the suspension apparatus  100  by removing the upper fasteners  302  and/or lower fasteners  323  and removing the upper retention connector  311  and the lower retention connector  321 , respectively. 
         [0022]    It should be noted that while  FIG. 3  illustrates using the upper retention connector  311  to connect an upper portion of the first support frame  101  to an upper portion of the second support frame  102  for transport and/or storage. The frame connector  301 , rather than the retention connector  311 , may also be used for storage and/or transport. Accordingly, the upper fasteners  302  may be removed and the distance between the first support frame and the second support frame may be adjusted by moving the first support frame  101  and/or the second support frame  102  closer to one another until a desired distance is reached for storage and/or transport. When a desired distance is achieved, the upper fasteners  302  may be used to secure the frame connector  301  to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . 
         [0023]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , the telescopic legs  103  comprise two sets of opposing, integrated pin receptacle ports  114  along the length of the telescopic legs  103  at fixed intervals  133  for adjustment of the height of the suspension apparatus  100 . The telescopic legs  103  may be secured at the desired height by insertion of leg fasteners  134 , which may comprise, for example, bolt-and-cotter pins  135  and/or other type of appropriate fastening devices. The height of the suspension apparatus  100  may be adjusted by removing the leg fasteners  134 , adjusting the telescopic leg  103  heights, and re-inserting the leg fasteners  134  when suspension apparatus  100  is at desired height. As previously stated, the extendable legs may be about seven feet in length. 
         [0024]    With reference to the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , it is understood that in various embodiments, the tube frame  120 , the telescopic legs  103 , the upper support bracket sleeves  111 , the frame connector  301 , and the upper retention connector  311  and the lower retention connector  321  may 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 apparatus  100  may be configured to support an appliance unit  600  having a weight up to 3500 pounds or other weight. 
         [0025]    Referring next to  FIG. 5 , shown is a flowchart  500  illustrating an example of a method for transporting an appliance unit  600  ( FIG. 1 ). Beginning with reference numeral  503 , the suspension element  401  ( FIG. 1 ) is attached to the appliance unit  600  to secure the appliance unit  600  to the suspension apparatus  100  ( FIG. 1 ) for transportation from a first location to a second location. For example, the suspension apparatus  100  may be used to lift appliance units  600  that are placed at the edge of a building roof by a crane by securing the appliance unit  600  within the suspension element  401 , by using, for example, a harness configuration or by attaching the suspension element  401  to or through lift ports on the appliance unit  600  or unit frame  601  ( FIG. 1 ). At reference numeral  506 , the appliance unit  600  is transported from the first location to the second location. For example, the suspension apparatus  100  containing the appliance unit  600  may be rolled across the building roof to the installation site, where the appliance unit  600  can be lowered from the suspension apparatus  100  at the desired site and to the desired unit height. Similarly, the suspension apparatus  100  may be used to lift existing commercial or industrial appliance units  600  from, for example, HVAC roof curbing for removal of the unit  600  by attaching suspension element  401  to the appliance unit  600  or unit frame  601 , lifting the unit  600 , and rolling the suspension apparatus  100  containing the appliance unit  600  to the edge of the building roof where it can then be lowered and detached from the suspension apparatus  100  for removal from the building roof by a crane or other heavy lifting device, vehicle or mechanism. 
         [0026]    At reference numeral  509 , the suspension element  401  is removed from the appliance unit  600 . Accordingly, when the appliance unit  600  is at the desired site for installation and/or removal, the suspension element  401  may be adjusted to lower the appliance unit  600 . Once the appliance unit  600  is lowered, the suspension element  401  may be removed from the appliance unit  600 . 
         [0027]    At reference numeral  512 , the suspension apparatus  100  may be modified for storage and/or transport. The suspension apparatus  100  may be modified for storage and/or transportation by removing the suspension element  401  connected to the first support frame  101  ( FIG. 1 ) and the second support frame  102  ( FIG. 1 ). In addition, the frame connector  301  ( FIG. 1 ) may be removed from the suspension apparatus  100  by unfastening and removing the upper fasteners  302  ( FIG. 1 ) securing the frame connector  301  to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . When the frame connector  301  is removed, an upper retention connector  311  ( FIG. 3 ) may be used to replace the frame connector  301 . As previously discussed, the upper retention connector  311  may be smaller in length than the frame connector  301 . Accordingly, the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  may be moved closer to each other so that the upper retention connector  311  may be used to connect the first support frame  101  to the second support frame  102 . Similar to the frame connector  301 , the upper retention connector  311  may be mounted to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  via the upper fasteners  302  to prevent the upper retention connector  311  from moving laterally during storage or transport of the suspension apparatus  100 . 
         [0028]    In addition, the suspension apparatus  100  may be further modified for storage and transport, by attaching a lower retention connector  321  ( FIG. 3 ) to the base posts  121  ( FIG. 1 ) of the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102 . For example, the lower retention connector  321  may be inserted into a lower retention connector sleeve  320  ( FIG. 3 ) on top face of the base post  121  of the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  by inserting one of each end of the lower retention connector  321  through the lower retention connector sleeves  320  and extending through each lower distal opening  322  ( FIG. 3 ) of the lower retention connector sleeves  320 . The lower retention connector  321  may be secured to the first support frame  101  and the second support frame  102  via lower fasteners  323  to prevent the lower retention connector  321  from moving laterally during storage or transport of the suspension apparatus  100 . The lower retention connector  321  may be similar in length to the upper retention connector  311 . 
         [0029]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.