Patent Publication Number: US-2023150798-A1

Title: Modular Spread Bar Device with Stiffening Truss

Description:
This application claims foreign priority benefits from Canadian Patent Application 3,139,396, filed Nov. 18, 2021. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates a spread bar device to assist in evenly distributing a load across a set of attachment cables of a lifting harness suspended from a crane, and more particularly the present invention relates to a modular spread bar device which can be reconfigured in length and which makes use of trusses to provide stiffening to a central beam assembly of the spread bar device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When lifting elongated cargo items with a crane, it is common to use a lifting harness comprised of multiple attachment cables that are joined to a common lifting cable of the crane to form a lifting harness. A rigid beam known as a spread bar can be used to maintain separation of the multiple attachment cables and defining a plurality of spread apart lifting points from which the elongated cargo item can be suspended. Spread bars are typically required to be reasonably massive in construction to sufficiently resist any lateral bending when loaded, but the increased mass required for stiffness limits the amount of cargo that can be carried by the crane and/or the lateral distance that the crane can reach to remain within lifting limits of the crane. Furthermore, typical spread bars do no readily accommodate different lengths of cargo items unless using a complex lifting frame in place of the spread bar, but such lifting frames require assembly of many components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a spread bar device for suspending a load from a crane using a lifting harness having a plurality of attachment cables, the device comprising: 
     a main beam section which extends in a longitudinal direction of the main beam section; 
     at least one secondary beam section which extends in a respective longitudinal direction of the secondary beam section; 
     a beam coupling arrangement associated with said at least one secondary beam section so as to be arranged to releasably couple the secondary beam section to one end of the main beam section such that the longitudinal direction of the secondary beam section is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main beam section; and 
     a plurality of cable anchors supported on the main beam section and said at least one secondary beam section so as to be arranged for connection to the attachment cables of the lifting harness respectively; 
     the cable anchors being positioned on the beam sections so as to be arranged to both (i) suspend the main beam section from the lifting harness when the main beam section is separated from said at least one secondary beam section and (ii) suspend the main beam section and said at least one secondary beam section from the lifting harness when the main beam section is coupled to said at least one secondary beam section. 
     The modular construction of the spread bar device comprised of multiple beam sections that can be used individually or connected end to end to form a longer beam assembly allows the spread bar device to accommodate a larger variety of loads. 
     Preferably said at least one secondary beam section comprises two secondary beam sections each having a respective beam coupling arrangement associated therewith, in which the beam coupling arrangements are arranged to releasably couple the secondary beam sections to opposing ends of the main beam section. 
     The cable anchors may include two cable anchors at spaced apart positions along the main beam section and one cable anchor on each secondary beam section. 
     The device may be a kit that further includes at least one third beam section which extends in a respective longitudinal direction of the third beam section, the third beam section having a beam coupling arrangement associated therewith such that the third beam section is arranged to be selectively mounted on one end of the main beam section interchangeably with said at least one secondary beam section, in which each third beam section is different in length than the secondary beam sections. 
     In this instance there may be two secondary beam sections which are identical in length and which have respective beam coupling arrangements associated therewith, and two third beam sections which are identical to one another in length but different from the secondary beam sections and which have respective beam coupling arrangements associated therewith. 
     Each beam coupling arrangement may include a pair of guide flanges protruding beyond an end of one of the beam sections in diverging relation to one another for guiding alignment of the beam section with an adjacent beam section to be coupled thereto. 
     Each beam coupling arrangement may include a primary pin coupling the beam sections in end to end abutment with one another. The primary pin of each beam coupling arrangement is preferably located spaced above the beam sections. 
     Each beam coupling arrangement may further include a secondary pin coupling the beam sections in end to end abutment with one at a location spaced below the primary pin. 
     The device may further include at least one truss frame extending laterally outwardly from the beam sections so as to provide resistance to lateral bending of the beam sections. In the illustrated embodiment, two truss frames extend laterally outwardly from opposing sides of the beam sections. 
     The at least one truss frame may include a main truss frame having a web member extending laterally outwardly from the main beam section and two chords extending in opposing directions from the web member in connection between the web member and the main beam section. 
     The at least one truss frame may further include a modular truss frame associated with said at least one secondary beam section, in which the modular truss frame has a web member extending laterally outwardly from the main beam section and a chord in connection between the web member and the secondary beam section. 
     The at least one truss frame includes two modular truss frames associated with said at least one secondary beam section, in which the two modular truss frames include respective web members extending laterally outwardly from opposing sides of the main beam section and respective chord members in connection between the respective web members and the secondary beam section. 
     Each beam section preferably includes two feet spaced laterally outwardly from each side of the main beam section at longitudinally spaced positions so as to be arranged to support the beam section spaced above a supporting surface upon which the feet are engaged. 
     The device preferably further includes a plurality of strap mounts supported at spaced apart positions along a bottom of the beam sections, each strap mount being arranged to receive a load strap secured thereon for suspending a load from the strap mount. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a spread bar device for suspending a load from a crane using a lifting harness having a plurality of attachment cables, the device comprising: 
     a central beam assembly defining a singular beam extending in a longitudinal direction of the central beam assembly; 
     a plurality of cable anchors supported on the central beam assembly so as to be arranged for connection to the attachment cables of the lifting harness respectively; and 
     at least one truss frame extending laterally outwardly from the central beam assembly so as to provide resistance to lateral bending of the central beam assembly. 
     The truss frame enables a lighter gauge of material to be used to form the central beam assembly of the spread bar while still providing sufficient strength to resist lateral bending of the beam assembly when loaded. By reducing the mass of the spread bar, the same load carried on the spread bar can be displaced a further lateral distance from the crane, or a larger load can be carried by the spread bar, while still remaining within lifting limits of the crane. 
     Thed at least one truss frame preferably comprises two truss frames extending laterally outwardly from opposing sides of the central beam assembly. 
     The at least one truss frame may include a main truss frame having a web member extending laterally outwardly from the central beam assembly and two chords extending in opposing directions from the web member in connection between the web member and the central beam assembly. 
     When the central beam assembly comprises (i) a main beam section which extends in a longitudinal direction of the main beam section, (ii) at least one secondary beam section which extends in a respective longitudinal direction of the secondary beam section, and (iii) a beam coupling arrangement associated with said at least one secondary beam section so as to be arranged to releasably couple the secondary beam section to one end of the main beam section such that the longitudinal direction of the secondary beam section is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main beam section, the at least one truss frame preferably includes a modular truss frame associated with said at least one secondary beam section in which the modular truss frame has a web member extending laterally outwardly from the main beam section and a chord in connection between the web member and the secondary beam section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the spread bar device used in suspending a load from the lift harness of a crane; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the spread bar device in a first configuration of the central beam assembly in which to secondary beam sections are supported at opposing ends of a main beam section; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the junction between the main beam section and one of the secondary beam sections according to  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the spread bar device in a second configuration in which the main beam section is used alone; 
         FIGS.  5  and  6    are enlarged views of respective opposing ends of the main beam section according to  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of one of the secondary beam sections shown separated from the main beam section; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the secondary beam section of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIGS.  9  and  10    are enlarged views of respective opposing ends of the secondary beam section according to  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a third beam section which can be interchangeably coupled in place of the secondary beam section at either end of the main beam section according to a third configuration of the central beam assembly of the spread bar device; 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of the third beam section according to  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIGS.  13 ,  14  and  15    are enlarged views of an outer end portion, a central portion, and on inner end portion of the third beam section according to  FIG.  11   ; and 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged view of the transport mount for supporting the chords of the modular truss frame of the secondary or third beam sections when separated from the main teen section for transport. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a spread bar device generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The spread bar device  10  is particularly suited for use with a lifting harness  12  suspended from the lifting cable  14  of a crane  16 . The lifting harness  12  typically comprises a plurality of attachment cables  18  having respective lift hooks  20  supported thereon for connection to the spread bar device  10  so that a load suspended from the spread bar device can be evenly distributed onto the various attachment cables  18  of the lifting harness. 
     The spread bar device  10  generally comprises an elongate central beam assembly  22  supporting a row of cable anchors  24  along the top of the assembly at spaced apart positions in a longitudinal direction of the central beam assembly within a single row for receiving the lift hooks  20  connected thereto respectively, and a row of strap mounts  26  longitudinally spaced along the bottom of the central beam assembly  22  from which load straps  28  can be coupled and suspended for attachment to a load  30  to suspend the load from the crane. The spread bar device is particularly suited for supporting a load in the form of an elongated item such as a stack of elongated building material members for example. In one example, a stack of standing seam roof panels, or other elongate structural members for a roof of a building can be secured by a plurality of load straps extending about the cargo item for suspension from respective strap mounts  26  of the device  10  to lift the load  30  onto the roof of the building using a crane as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     The central beam assembly  22  defines a singular elongate beam extending in a longitudinal direction between opposing ends of the device  10 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the central beam assembly can be assembled from a main beam section  32  centrally located within the assembly and two secondary beam sections  34  releasably coupled at opposing ends of the main beam section such that a longitudinal direction of each secondary beam section is in alignment with the longitudinal direction of the main beam section  32 . The main beam section may have a length of 30 feet for example with cable anchors  24  being positioned at spaced apart locations such that the main beam section can be used alone for suspending suitable elongate cargo items therefrom. 
     In the illustrated example, the secondary beam sections have a length of 10 feet such that when connected at opposing ends of the main beam section, a combined length of the beam assembly is 50 feet for supporting longer load items therefrom. Each secondary beam section  34  has a beam coupling arrangement  36  associated therewith which includes some components supported on the inner end of the secondary beam section  34  and some components at the corresponding end of the main beam section  32  for cooperation together to couple each secondary beam section in abutment with the corresponding end of the main beam section  32 . 
     The device  10  may be provided as a kit that further includes a pair of third beam sections  38  which are substantially identical in configuration to the secondary beam sections  34  but which are longer in length, for example 20 feet in length. In this instance, when coupling two of the third beam sections  38  at opposing ends of the main beam section  32 , a combined length of the central beam assembly can reach 70 feet. Each third beam section  38  further includes a beam coupling arrangement  36  associated therewith for releasably coupling the third beam section to the corresponding end of the main beam section. The beam coupling arrangement  36  of the third beam sections are identical to the beam coupling arrangements of the secondary beam sections so that some components are located at the corresponding end of the main beam section for cooperation with other components at the inner end of the third beam section. The same components on the ends of the main beam section can be used for cooperation with the beam coupling arrangement components of either the secondary or third beam sections such that the third beam sections are interchangeable with the secondary beam sections on the main beam section. 
     All of the beam sections  32 ,  34  and  38  of the central beam assembly are formed primarily of an I-beam including a top flange  40  defined by a horizontal plate at the top of the beam, a bottom flange  42  defined by a horizontal plate at the bottom of the beam, and a web plate  44  connected between the top flange and the bottom flange. The web plate  44  is connected to each of the top and bottom flanges at a central location thereon to define a T-shaped junction of the web plate with each of the top and bottom flanges. 
     Each of the beam sections  32 ,  34  and  38  includes a pair of leg frames  46  mounted at spaced apart positions in the longitudinal direction along the bottom of the beam. Each leg frame comprises two legs  48  extending in opposing lateral directions outward from the beam at a downward and outward slope from the bottom flange  42  to respective feet  51  at the bottom of the leg frame at laterally opposing sides of the beam. The two feet  51  of each leg frame are spaced apart longitudinally from the two feet of the other leg frame of the beam section so that the two leg frames collectively define a set of four feet in a rectangular configuration in a common plane spaced below the bottom flange of the I-beam for supporting the beam spaced above a corresponding supporting surface, for example the ground, by a height of the legs  48 . 
     Each leg  48  is formed by a pair of upright plates which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the beam. Each upright plate includes a transverse stiffener flange extending along one edge thereof for stiffening of the plates forming the legs of the leg frame. The two plates of each leg  48  are joined by a horizontal connecting plate at the bottom outer end thereof which defines a respective foot  51  of the leg frame. Each upright plate of each leg  48  of the leg frame is joined to the corresponding upright plate of the opposing leg  48  of the leg frame by a coupling plate  50  centrally located between the two legs  48  at the top of the leg frame for coupling of the leg frame to the bottom flange  42  of the beam section. The two coupling plates  50  of each leg frame  46  are joined in abutment with the bottom side of the bottom flange  42  by a set of threaded fasteners received through cooperating apertures in the coupling plates and the bottom flange. 
     Each beam section  32 ,  34  and  38  further includes a plurality of the strap mounts  26  that are also spaced apart in the longitudinal direction along the bottom of the bottom flange  42  of the beam. Each strap mount includes a horizontal top plate  52  arranged to be bolted to the underside of the bottom flange of the respective beam section by threaded fasteners penetrated through cooperating apertures in the top plate  52  and in the bottom flange  42  of the beam section. The strap mounts  26  each include a depending plate  54  extending downward from the top plate parallel to the longitudinal direction of the beam. An aperture within the depending plate  54  enables a load strap or hook to be secured thereon for suspending the load from the beam sections. 
     In the illustrated example, the main beam section  32  includes a set of five strap mounts spaced apart in the longitudinal direction along the main beam section, including one strap mount at a central location and two of the strap mounts adjacent opposing ends of the main beam section. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary beam section  34  includes one strap mount  26  in proximity to the outer end of the secondary beam section. The third beam section  38  is shown having one strap mount  26  at a central location thereon and one strap mount adjacent the outer end of the beam section. 
     Each beam section further includes one or more cable anchors  24  spaced apart in the longitudinal direction along the top of the central beam assembly. Each cable anchor  24  includes a base plate  56  arranged to be bolted to the top side of the top flange  40  of the respective beam section by threaded fasteners penetrated through cooperating apertures in the top flange  40  and the base plate  56 . Each cable anchor further includes an upright plate  58  extending upward from the base plate, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the beam. An aperture within the upright plate  58  enables an attachment cable  18  or lift hook  20  to be secured thereon for suspending the device  10  from the lifting harness of the crane. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the main beam section  32  includes two cable anchors  24  at spaced apart positions along the top side thereof, enabling the main been section to be suspended in a balanced and horizontal orientation when connected to the lifting harness by itself. Each secondary beam section  34  includes a single cable anchor in proximity to the outer end of the beam section, and each third beam section  38  includes one cable anchor  24  at a central location in the longitudinal direction of the third beam section. 
     Each of the removable secondary beam sections  34  and the removable third beam section  38  are also provided with additional handling anchors  60  mounted onto the top flange  40  in proximity to opposing ends of the being section. Each handling anchor includes a base plate  62  bolted to the top flange  40  of the beam and a hook plate  64  extending upward from the base plate and locating an aperture therein for connection to a lifting hook for lifting and handling of the removable beam section in a balanced manner when it is detached from the main beam section for assembling or disassembling the central beam assembly. The hook plates  64  of the handling anchors  60  extend upwardly at an inward slope towards one another for accommodating the slope of a pair of lifting cables that extend upwardly and inwardly towards a central lifting cable used for handling of the removable beam section. 
     The beam coupling arrangements  36  are associated with each of the removable secondary beam sections  34  and the removable third beam sections  38 . Each beam coupling arrangement includes a first bracket  56  mounted onto the top flange of the main beam section and a second bracket  68  secured to the top flange at the inner end of a corresponding removable beam section  34  or  38 . The first bracket includes a base plate  70  bolted flat against the top side of the top flange  40  and two side plates  72  extending upwardly from opposing longitudinally extending side edges of the base plate so as to be parallel and laterally spaced apart from one another. A pin aperture is located within each of the side plates  72  at a location spaced above the top flange of the beam for receiving a primary pin  74  extending laterally through both side plates horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the beams. The side plates include lobes that protrude beyond the end of the main beam section within which the pin apertures are located for cooperating with corresponding portions of the second bracket  68  as described further below. 
     Each second bracket  68  includes a base plate  76  bolted flat against the top side of the top flange  40  of the removable beam section, and two side plates  78  extending upwardly from opposing longitudinally extending side edges of the base plate so as to be parallel and laterally spaced apart from one another. The side plates  78  of the second bracket define an internal dimension between the inner sides of the side plates which corresponds approximately to an outer dimension between the outer sides of the side plate  72  of the first bracket such that the side plates of the first bracket can be received between the side plates  78  of the second bracket in a mounted position of the beam sections coupled to one another. Each of the side plates  78  of the second bracket includes an end portion  80  protruding longitudinally inward beyond the inner end of the beam section to locate pin apertures therein for alignment with the corresponding pin apertures in the lobes of the second side plates  72  of the first bracket  66  when the beam sections are abutted into and with one another. 
     The innermost ends of the two end portions  80  of the side plates of the second bracket  68  extend longitudinally from the beam section upon which it is mounted in diverging relation relative to one another to assist in guiding entry of the first bracket between the side plate  78  of the second bracket when abutting the beam sections end-to-end with one another to be coupled together. The pin apertures within the side plate  78  of the second bracket  68  are aligned with the pin apertures in the side plate  72  of the first bracket  66  when the top and bottom flanges of the beam sections are aligned with one another to enable the primary pin  74  to be inserted through all pin apertures for coupling the first and second brackets to one another. The primary pin  74  may include an enlarged head at one end and a transverse aperture for a removable latching pin in the opposing end to ensure the primary pin remains coupled between the first and second brackets of the coupling arrangement until it is desired to be released by the operator. 
     Each beam coupling arrangement  36  further includes a lower bracket  82  comprised of two mounting plates  84  supported at opposing sides of the web plate of the removable beam section by threaded fasteners penetrated through cooperating apertures in the web plate and the mounting plates respectively. Each mounting plate  84  includes an end portion  86  protruding beyond the end of the beam such that the two end plates are spaced apart by the thickness of the web plate of the main beam section to receive the web plate of the main beam section therebetween when the beam sections are coupled together. The outermost end of each end portion  86  is angled such that the ends of the end portions  86  are in diverging relationship for guiding entry of the web plate of the main beam section into the gap between the mounting plates  84 . Transverse apertures are provided within the end portions  86  of the lower bracket  82  and in the web plate of the main beam section to receive a secondary pin  88  removably inserted through the apertures to form a second pin connection between the beam sections in a mounted configuration. The secondary pin  88  similarly has an enlarged head at one end and a transverse aperture for receiving a removable latching pin in the opposing end to selectively retain the secondary pin  88  mounted within the corresponding apertures for coupling the beam sections together. 
     Additional apertures in the lower bracket may align with corresponding apertures in the web plate of the main beam section, while additional apertures in the first and second brackets  66  and  68  may align with one another so that threaded fasteners can be additionally penetrated through both of the upper portion and the lower portion of the beam coupling arrangement  36  in addition to the primary pin  74  and the secondary pin  88  if desired. 
     The second brackets  68  on each of the secondary and third removable beam sections  34  and  38  are all identical with one another such that all of the beam sections can be interchangeably mounted with one another on either end of the main beam section by using the first bracket  66  on either end of the main beam section. 
     The beam sections forming any of the configurations of the central beam assembly described above can be further stiffened to prevent lateral bending of the central beam assembly by use of one or more truss frames protruding laterally outward from the beams. The truss frames include a main truss frame  90  protruding outward from each of the two laterally opposing sides of the main beam section  34 . Each main truss frame  90  includes a main web member  92  protruding laterally outward from a central location in the longitudinal direction of the beam and two main chords  94  connected at inner ends to the outer end of the respective main web member  92  to extend in opposing longitudinal directions towards respective outer ends of the chords connected to the corresponding sides of the main beam section adjacent the opposing ends of the main beam section. 
     Each web member  92  generally includes an upper frame member  96  and a lower frame member  98 . Each of the upper and lower frame members is a U-shaped channel having a bridge plate  100  connected between two side plates  102  in a generally U-shaped configuration. Suitable mounting flanges are provided at the inner ends of the side plates and the bridge plate for bolting to the web plate  44  of the main beam section. The bridge plates  100  of the upper and lower frame members are supported parallel and spaced from one another by a suitable distance arranged to receive the inner ends of the main chords  94  therebetween. Suitable fasteners are bolted through both bridge plates and the corresponding ends of the chords to secure the inner ends of the chords relative to the main web member  92 . The side plates of the upper frame member  96  extend upward from the bridge plate thereof while the side plates of the lower frame member  98  extend downward from the bridge plate thereof such that the side plates function as gussets to stiffen the bridge plates and the chords connected thereto relative to the web plate  44  of the main beam section. The main web member  92  of one main truss frame  90  is connected directly opposite from the corresponding web member  92  of the opposing main truss frame such that a common set of fasteners can be penetrated through the web plate  94  to coupled both main web members  92  relative to the beam section. 
     In addition to the main web member  92 , each main truss frame  90  is also associated with two outer web members  104  protruding laterally outward from the corresponding side of the main beam section at longitudinally opposing ends of the main beam section respectively. The outer web members  104  are configured identically to the main web members  92  and serve to mount the outer ends of the main chords  94  between the bridge plates of the outer web members respectfully. Similarly to the main web member  92 , each outer web member  104  is mounted opposite from a corresponding outer web member  104  of the other main truss frame  90  at the opposing side of the main beam section such that a common set of fasteners can be penetrated through the web plate  44  of the main beam section to connect two corresponding outer web members  104  commonly to the main beam section. The outer ends of the chords are connected to the respective outer web members  104  in close proximity to the web plate at the inner end of the outer web members  104  such that the chords  94  are sloped inwardly towards the main beam section as they extend longitudinally outward from the central main web member  92 . 
     Each removable secondary or third beam section  34  or  38  further includes two modular truss frames  106  associated therewith at laterally opposing sides of the removable beam section. Each modular truss frame includes (i) a corresponding one of the outer web members  104  on the main beam section, (ii) a modular chord  108  connected between the outer web member  104  on the main beam section and a pivot mount  110  on the corresponding side of the removable beam section  34  or  38  at a location spaced outwardly from the inner end of the removable beam section, and (iii) an auxiliary chord  112  connected between the main web member  92  and the corresponding outer web member  104  to provide support to the outer web member which in turn supports the modular chord 108 . 
     More particularly, each modular chord is connected at the inner end thereof onto the corresponding outer web member  104  at a location spaced laterally out from the beam section at an outermost end of the outer web member  104 , while being connected at the outer end thereof onto the corresponding pivot mount  110  in close proximity to the web plate  44  of the removable beam section. The modular chord  108  thus slopes inwardly towards the beam section while extend longitudinally outward from the main beam section in a normal working position of the spread bar device. The auxiliary chord  112  is connected to both the main web member  92  and the corresponding outer web member  104  at the outermost end of the web member farthest from the web plate  44  of the main beam section such that the auxiliary chord extends generally parallel to the main beam section. 
     Each pivot mount  110  is comprised of an upper mount  114  and a lower mount  116  which protrude laterally outward from the web plate of the removable beam section  34  or  38  to define a space between the upper and lower mounts that is sized to receive the outer end of the modular chord  108  therebetween. A pivot shaft connected through the outer end of the modular chord between the upper and lower mounts supports the modular chord for pivotal movement about an upright axis of the pivot shaft. In the instance of the shorter secondary beam section  34 , the pivot mount is located in proximity to the outer end of the beam section, whereas in the instance of the longer third beam section  38 , the pivot mount is located to be approximately centred in the longitudinal direction of the third beam section. 
     The connection of the inner end of each modular chord onto the respective outer web member  104  on the main beam section is accomplished by a pinned connection using a slidably removable mounting pin  118  which extends through corresponding apertures in the upper and lower frame members  96  and  98  of the outer web member  104  and in the inner end of the modular chord  108 . When separating a removable beam section  34  or  38  from the main beam section, in addition to removal of the primary pin  74  and the secondary pin  88  to separate the beam sections, the mounting pin  118  is also removed to allow separation of the modular chord  108  on the removable beam section from the outer web member  104  on the main beam section to quickly disassemble the modular truss frame at each side of the removable beam section. 
     To store the modular cords  108  more securely during transport and handling of the removable beam sections when separated from the main beam section, a transport mount  120  is provided at the inner end of each removable beam section on each of the laterally opposing sides for securing the modular cords  108  at the opposing sides relative to the web plate  44  of the beam section. The transport mount  120  generally comprises an upright mounting plate  122  protruding laterally outward from the web plate  44  of the beam section with a channel  124  formed in the outer end of the plate. The channel  124  is sized to receive the corresponding modular chord  108  therein when the modular chord is pivoted inwardly into closer proximity to the web plate  44  of the beam section than the position of the modular chord in the assembled configuration of the beam assembly. The mounting plate  122  protrudes laterally outward a distance which is much less than the outer web member  104  that the modular chord  108  would normally be mounted on in the working assembled configuration, thus requiring the modular chord to be pivoted inwardly towards the beam section to arrive at the transport configuration thereof as shown in  FIG.  8    for example. 
     In further embodiments, the pivot shaft of each pivot mount  110  may be a slidably removable pin. When the pin is removed from the pivot mount  110 , the modular chord  108  is longitudinally slidable relative to the pivot mount  110  and the transport mount  120  such that the protruding inner end of the modular chord as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8    can be retracted inwardly for transport and handling. In this instance, an auxiliary mounting aperture  113 , represented schematically in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , is formed in the modular chord  108  for alignment with the pivot mount  110  when the modular chord is longitudinally retracted from the position of  FIGS.  7  and  8    so that the modular chord no longer protrudes beyond other components at the inner end of the beam section. Reinsertion of the pin into the pivot mount  110  and through the auxiliary mounting aperture  113  in alignment therewith in the retracted position serves to secure the modular chord in the retracted, transport position. 
     Once the beam sections have been separated and the modular chords  108  are pivoted into the respective channels  124  in the mounting plates  122  of the transport mounts, a latch bar  126  can be pivoted across the open side of the channel and pinned in a closed position across the channel to retain the modular chord mounted within the corresponding transport mount. The latch bar  126  is hinged at one end and includes cooperating apertures for receiving a pin at the other end to couple the latch bar relative to the mounting plate  122  such that the latch bar can be opened and closed relative to the channel  124 . 
     The spread bar device  10  as described herein is well suited for lifting elongate loads to be suspended from the lifting cable of a crane. In a first configuration, the main beam section  32  can be used apart from the removable secondary or third beam sections to define a single beam including two main truss frames  90  protruding outward from laterally opposing sides for providing lateral stiffening to the beam. This permits the spread bar to carry more load than a similar sized prior art spread bar that relies instead on the mass of the beam itself to provide sufficient lateral stiffening. Alternatively, the spread bar can carry the same load as a similar sized prior art spread bar that relies instead on the mass of the beam to provide sufficient lateral stiffening but according to the present invention is able to reach further in horizontal distance from the base of the crane while remaining within the lifting limits of the crane. 
     In the first configuration, the main beam section can be suspended from two attachment cables of the listing harness connected to the two cable anchors  24  spaced apart across the top of the beam section. Due to the placement of the strap mounts  26  below the main beam section, two, three, four or five load straps can be suspended in a distributed manner from the bottom of the main being section from which the load can be suspended. 
     The same benefits can be achieved when using a longer central beam assembly assembled from the main beam section  32  with two secondary beam sections connected at opposing ends thereof in a second configuration of the spread bar device  10 . Attachment of the secondary beam section  34  is accomplished by suspending each secondary beam section from the corresponding handling anchors  60  to guide coupling of the first and second brackets  66  and  68  of each beam coupling arrangement while also guiding coupling of the lower bracket  82  with the web plate of the main beam section defining the lower portion of the beam coupling arrangement  36 . Once the beam sections are connected by the primary pin  74  and the secondary pin  88 , the modular chords  108  can be released from their respective transport mount and connected to the outer ends of the corresponding outer web members  104  to provide sufficient lateral stiffening between the removable secondary beam section  34  and the main beam section  32 . 
     The same benefits can yet again be achieved when using the main beam section having two third beam sections connected at opposing ends thereof in a third configuration of the spread bar device  10 . The central beam assembly is assembled by connection of the third beam section  38  to opposing ends of the main beam section  32  similar to the mounting of the secondary beam sections as described above. 
     Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.