The invention relates to a set for delivering roof covering panels, such as corrugated panels, at a location of use, comprising:

- stack forming means for forming a stack of the roof covering panels at a stacking location remote from the location of use, comprising at least one holder for holding the roof covering panels, and

- a displaceable carrier device for taking over the stack of roof covering panels from the stack forming means and transporting it to the location of use, which carrier device has delivery means for delivering a roof covering panel in a delivery direction and placement means for placing the carrier device on a roof.

Such a set is known from the international publication with number WO 2017/010888A1 in the name of the same applicant.

It is an object of the invention to improve the set disclosed in WO 2017/010888A1.

This object is met by any of the below described embodiments of the set.

In an embodiment of the set according to the invention, a distance between the placement means and the delivery means is adjustable, for example by means of a retractable and extendable cylinder.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the distance between the placement means and the delivery means can be adjusted in accordance with a roof on which said roof covering panels are to be delivered, more in particular for example in accordance with a distance between collar beams of said roof.

Said cylinder may extend between the placement means and the delivery means. By retracting the cylinder the distance may be decreased and vice versa.

Said cylinder may be any type of cylinder, for example preferably an electric cylinder or otherwise a pneumatic cylinder.

Said cylinder may also be referred to as a first retractable and extendable cylinder.

It is noted that instead of a cylinder any suitable type of actuator may be provided.

In an embodiment, the carrier device may comprise a substantially rigid and/or fixed frame which comprises and/or holds both the delivery means and the placement means, such that the delivery means and the placement means are in a fixed orientation with respect to each other. In this case, a distance between the placement means and the frame comprising and/or holding the delivery means is preferably adjustable, for example by means of said retractable and extendable cylinder. In another embodiment of the set according to the invention, said set comprises angle adjustment means for adjusting an angle between the delivery means and a roof, such that the delivery direction is adjustable with respect to the roof and preferably can be set to be substantially orthogonal to a roof slope.

By suitably setting the angle between the delivery means and the roof and thereby suitably setting the delivery direction with respect to the roof, preferably such that the delivery direction is substantially orthogonal to the roof slope, the roof covering panels can be delivered onto the roof in an accurate manner.

The angle adjust means may for example be arranged for adjusting the angle between 0°, i.e. substantially horizontal, and approximately maximally 25°, or any other suitable maximum angle.

This embodiment could additionally or alternatively be formulated in that the angle adjustment means are arranged for adjusting an angle between the delivery means and a roof, such that an orientation of the roof covering panels with respect to the roof is adjustable and preferably can be set to be substantially parallel to a roof slope. In particular a main plane of the roof covering panels can be set to be substantially parallel to a roof slope.

In particular, the angle adjustment means may also be arranged for adjusting an angle between the placement means and the roof.

Adjusting the angle between the placement means and the roof provides the advantage that the placement means may be lowered onto the roof, for example onto a collar beam of the roof, in a substantially orthogonal direction with respect to the roof, in particular with respect to a said collar beam.

It is noted that said angle adjustment means may be suitable for adjusting the angle of the carrier device with respect to the roof.

It is noted that said above described cylinder may for example be attached to said substantially rigid and/or fixed frame with one end thereof, and may be attached to the placement means with the other end thereof. As a result thereof, the position of the placement means with respect to the substantially rigid and/or fixed frame can be adjusted, and thereby the distance between the delivery means and the placement means can be adjusted. More in particular, the placement means may be moved along a part of said substantially rigid and/or fixed frame.

Said set may comprise the angle adjustment means as a separate means, which may be provided in addition to the stack forming means and the carrier device. Alternatively, and optionally even preferably, said carrier device may comprise the angle adjustment means.

As a first exemplary embodiment, said carrier device may comprise first hoisting means that are hingedly connected to the delivery means, wherein the angle adjustment means are arranged for adjusting an angle between the delivery means and the first hoisting means. An advantage of this embodiment is that by adjusting the angle between the first hoisting means and the delivery means, the angle of the delivery means and the roof can be adjusted.

If said above described substantially rigid and/or fixed frame is provided, said first hoisting means may be hingedly connected to said frame.

Said first hoisting means may for example comprise a means to which a rope, chain, cable, or the like can be connected, such as for example a lifting eye, lifting bracket or any other suitable means.

Practically the angle adjustment means may comprise a second retractable and extendable cylinder, which for example extends between the first hoisting means and a frame that comprises and/or holds at least the delivery means.

Said frame may be the above described substantially rigid and/or fixed frame.

By retracting the second cylinder a distance between the first hoisting means and the frame may be decreased and vice versa, thereby adjusting the angle between the first hoisting means and the delivery means.

Said second cylinder may be any type of cylinder, for example preferably an electric cylinder or otherwise a pneumatic cylinder.

It is noted that instead of a cylinder any suitable type of actuator may be provided.

Said second cylinder may be provided at one side of the carrier device, in particular at a side of the carrier device where the placement means are provided, such that by retracting the second cylinder that side of the carrier device is lifted upwards and by extending the second cylinder that side of the carrier device is lowered downwards, thereby being able to adjust the angle of the carrier device in two opposing directions.

Practically the carrier device comprises second hoisting means that are fixedly connected to the delivery means, or to said frame that comprises and/or holds at least the delivery means, for example said above described substantially rigid and/or fixed frame, and wherein said set comprises first and second ropes, chains, cables, or the like that are attachable to the first and second hoisting means respectively, wherein the first and second ropes, chains, cables, or the like each have a fixed length.

By providing the first and second ropes, chains, cables, or the like with a fixed length, the angle between the carrier device and the roof may be determined by the angle between the first hoisting means and the delivery means.

The set may comprise at least one first rope, chain, cable, or the like and at least one second rope, chain, cable, or the like, and preferably two first ropes, chains, cables, or the like and two second ropes, chains, cables, or the like. By providing two of each, the carrier device is hoisted by in total four ropes, chains, cables, or the like, such that it may be hoisted in a relatively stable manner. The least one first rope, chain, cable, or the like and the at least one second rope, chain, cable, or the like may be connected to the first and second hoisting means respectively with one end thereof, and to a crane or the like with the other end thereof.

Alternatively to the above described angle adjustment, one of the first and second ropes, chains, cables, or the like by means of which the carrier device is hoisted may be adjustable in length, for example by providing the rope, chain, cable, or the like on a reel, while the other of the first and second ropes, chains, cables, or the like preferably has a fixed length. By adjusting the length of the rope, chain, cable, or the like provided at one side of the carrier device, in particular the side comprising the placement means, that side of the carrier device may be lifted upwards or lowered downwards, while the height of the other side with respect to the crane or other hoisting machine is not changed, thereby adjusting the angle of the carrier device.

Said reel may be part of the carrier device. In other words, this embodiment relates to a carrier device comprising a reel or the like for adjusting a length of the rope, chain, cable, or the like by means of which the carrier device is hoisted, for adjusting an angel of the carrier device with respect to the roof.

Alternatively, said reel may be part of the crane or other hoisting machine used.

Preferably, the adjustment means are configured for adjusting the angle in a freely suspended state of the carrier device, more in particular a state in which the carrier device is not supported by a part of the roof. In this way, further enhances the possibility of setting the carrier device at a desired angle before lowering the carrier device on a roof, for instance a collar beam of the roof, for delivering roof panels. Consequently, the carrier device may be oriented to a position substantially parallel to the slope of the roof. Such a position may increase process speed.

In yet another embodiment of the set according to the invention the stack forming means comprise a bottom part, wherein the at least one holder is hingedly connected to the bottom part.

An advantage of said at least one holder being hingedly connected to the bottom part is that said at least one holder is hingeable between a first position in which said holder holds the roof covering panels and a second position in which said holder does not hold the roof covering panels. Said carrier device is able to take over the roof covering panels when the at least one holder is in its first position, after which the at least one holder is moved to its second position, and after which the carrier device can be moved to the location of use.

An alternative or additional advantage may be that the at least one holder may be moved to a third position in which it extends substantially parallel to the bottom part if it holds no roof covering panels, thereby reducing the volume of the stack forming means, for example for transport or storage. In yet another embodiment of the set according to the invention said set comprises locking means for locking the at least one holder in a position in which the holder holds the roof covering panels.

An advantage of such locking means is that said at least one holder cannot unintentionally move to a position in which it no longer holds the roof covering panels.

Said position may be said above described first position.

In yet another embodiment of the set according to the invention at least a part of the locking means is hingedly connected to the bottom part.

An advantage thereof is that said part may be moved to a position in which it extends substantially parallel to the bottom part if it is not used for locking the at least one holder, thereby reducing the volume of the stack forming means, for example for transport or storage.

In yet another embodiment of the set according to the invention the stack forming means of the set is provided with a guiding frame for holding the stack forming means at least during taking over of the stack of roof covering panels by the carrier device, which guiding frame comprises guiding means for guiding the carrier device at least to a position in which the carrier device is able to take over the stack of roof covering panels from the stack forming means.

An advantage of the guiding frame is that the carrier device can be guided with respect to the stack forming means for obtaining a suitable position for taking over the roof covering panels therefrom.

The guiding means may for example comprise at least one guiding profile.

Practically the guiding frame may comprise a holding means for holding at least another part of the locking means.

Said locking means may be embodied to have at least two separate parts, said above described part that is hingedly connected to the bottom, and said another part. Said another part may be releasably connectable to said part, wherein after disconnecting said another part it may be temporarily stored by using the holding means of the guiding frame. Preferably, after taking over the roof covering panels by the carrier device and after moving the carrier device, said another part may again be connected to said part.

Practically the guiding frame may comprise a maintaining means for temporarily maintaining the at least one holder in its position in which the holder holds the roof covering panels. Said maintaining means may preferably be used prior to unlocking the locking means, such that after unlocking the locking means the at least one holder is temporarily maintained in its position in which the holder holds the roof covering panels at least until the stack of roof covering panels has been taken over by the carrier device.

Said maintaining means may in particular be provided if said locking means is designed such that it obstructs the path of the carrier of the carrier device to the position for taking over the stack of roof covering panels. The maintaining means may in this case provide the advantage that the locking means may be removed while the holder is maintained in its position by the maintaining means, such that the carrier device may be moved into the position for taking over the stack of stack forming means, and said maintaining means may be removed after the carrier device has taken over the stack of roof covering panels.

Said stack forming means may comprise more than one holder, such as for example at least two holders to be positioned on opposite sides of the stack of roof covering panels.

Said at least one holder may for example comprise a plurality of holding elements, each for holding one roof covering panel out of the stack of roof covering panels. Said holding elements are preferably spaced apart from each other, such that the roof coverings panels are held thereby in a spaced apart manner.

Said delivery means may in particular be arranged for delivering one roof covering panel at a time.

Said delivery means may for example comprise at least one endless conveyor belt having a plurality of holding elements, each holding element being arranged for holding one roof covering panel, preferably at a distance from neighboring roof covering panels. In such an exemplary embodiment one roof covering panel can be delivered by moving the endless conveyor belt in the delivery direction, wherein said one roof covering panel is released at the return end of the conveyor belt.

Optionally a catching means may be provided for catching a roof covering panel that has been released by the conveyor belt, which catching means is then able to deliver that roof covering panel. An advantage of such a catching means is that the distance between the catching means and the roof may be relatively small, such that the roof covering panel falls over a relatively small distance and/or the accuracy of delivering the roof covering panel may be improved. The catching means may for example comprise a moveable, more in particular a hingeable, spoon, which can be moved between a first position in which it is able to catch a roof covering panel and a second position in which it releases the roof covering panel.

Said placement means may be embodied in any suitable manner.

For example said placement means may comprise at least one wheel for moving the carrier device along a roof, in particular along a collar beam of the roof.

In addition or alternatively said placement means may comprise a guiding means for guiding the movement of the carrier device along the collar beam. For example, said guiding means may comprise at least two guiding elements that in use extend over opposite sides of a collar beam. Said wheel may be provided in the middle of said two guiding elements, wherein in use said wheel is positioned on top of the collar beam. The invention also relates to a carrier device, suitable and intended to be used in a set according to any one or more of the above described embodiments or having any one or more of the above described features, in any desired combination, comprising delivery means for delivering a roof covering panel in a delivery direction and placement means for placing the carrier device on a roof.

The invention also relates to a stack forming means, suitable and intended to be used in a set according to any one or more of the above described embodiments or having any one or more of the above described features, in any desired combination, comprising at least one holder for holding the roof covering panels.

The invention further relates to a method for delivering roof covering panels, such as corrugated panels, at a location of use, comprising the following, to be performed in any suitable order, steps of: a) providing a set according to any one or more of the above described embodiments or having any one or more of the above described features; b) forming a stack of the roof covering panels at a stacking location remote from the location of use using the stack forming means; c) taking over from the stack forming means and transporting the stack of roof covering panels to a location of use using the displaceable carrier device; d) placing the carrier device on a roof using the placement means, and e) delivering a roof covering panel in a delivery direction using the delivery means.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim

2 is provided in step a), and comprising step f) of adjusting a distance between the placement means and the delivery means, for example by means of retracting or extending a retractable and extendable cylinder, wherein step f) is preferably performed previous to at least step d).

An advantage of this embodiment is that the distance between the placement means and the delivery means can be adjusted in accordance with a roof on which said roof covering panels are to be delivered, more in particular for example in accordance with a distance between collar beams of said roof. By performing step f) previous to at least step d), said carrier device may correctly be positioned on the roof.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim

3 is provided in step a), and comprising step g) of adjusting an angle between the delivery means and said roof on which the carrier device is placed or is to be placed in step d), wherein step g) is preferably performed previous to at least step d).

An advantage of adjusting the angle between the delivery means and the roof is that the roof covering panels may be delivered in an accurate manner. In another embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim 4 is provided in step a), wherein transporting the stack of roof covering panels comprises hoisting the carrier device with the stack of roof covering panels that has been taking over from the stack forming means by means of the first hoisting means, and wherein adjusting the angle comprises adjusting an angle between the delivery means and the first hoisting means.Advantages of this embodiment are described with respect to the set according to claim 4.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim 7 is provided in step a), wherein after taking over the stack of roof covering panels by the carrier device and prior to transporting the stack of roof covering panels to the location of use the at least one holder is hinged with respect to the bottom part, such that the at least one holder no longer holds the roof covering panels.

Said holder may in particular be moved in a direction away from the stack of roof covering panels after the stack has been taken over by the carrier device.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim 8 is provided in step a), wherein after taking over the stack of roof covering panels by the carrier device and prior to transporting the stack of roof covering panels to the location of use the at least one holder is unlocked and displaced out of its position in which the at least one holder holds the roof covering panels.

After unlocking the at least one holder the holder can be moved out of said position. Said holder may in particular be moved in a direction away from the stack of roof covering panels.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention a set according to at least claim 10 is provided in step a), comprising step h), to be performed after step b) and prior to step c), of placing the stack forming means in the guiding frame, and step i), to be performed after step b) and prior to step c), of guiding the carrier device to said position.

Guiding the carrier device to said position provides the advantage that during take over of the roof covering panels said carrier device is in a correct position with respect to the stack forming means.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures, wherein:

Figures 1 - 10 schematically show the steps of an exemplary method for delivering roof covering panels on a roof using a set according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

Figures 11 - 12 schematically shows a different method of adjusting the angle of the carrier device with respect to the roof.

In the figures the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The features of the set are described with respect to the figures in which the features are best visible and in the order of the figures. Figure 1 shows a guiding frame 1 into which a stack forming means 20 comprising a plurality of corrugated panels 40 is lowered. The stack forming means 20 of this exemplary embodiment comprises in total four holders 21, wherein two holders 21 are arranged on a first side of the stack of panels 40 and the other two holders 21 are arranged on a second, opposite side of the stack of panels 40. The stack forming means 20 of this embodiment further comprises a bottom part 22, to which the holders 21 are hingedly connected, see also for example figures 3 and 4. The holders 21 are locked in their position in which they hold the panels 40 by means of locking means 23, 24, said locking means comprising in this embodiment four shores or bars 23 and two rods 24. The holders 21 are locked by the rods 24 that are fitted into recesses 25 of the holders 21, and the rods are maintained in the recesses 25 by the bars 23. The holders 21 may be unlocked by disconnecting the bars 23 from the rods 24, and by then removing the rods 24 from the recesses 25, see figure 2A. Thereafter, the bars 23 can be hinged away with respect to the bottom part 22 and the rods 24 can be temporarily stored in a holding means 2, in this embodiment provided as hook like holding elements 2, of the guiding frame 1.

Prior to unlocking the locking means 23, 24, maintaining means 3 of the guiding frame 1 are brought into a position in which they maintain the holders 21 in their position in which they hold the panels 40, see figure 2A. The maintaining means 3 are in this embodiment embodied as bars 3 that are hingedly connected to guiding means 4 of the guiding frame 1, which guiding means 4 will be further explained below. If not used, the bars 3 extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the guiding means 4, and in use the bars 3 extend substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guiding means 4, and into a longitudinal recess 26 of the holders of the holders 21. The longitudinal recess 26 is in this embodiment defined by profiles of the holders 21, which profiles are substantially U-shaped as seen in a transverse cross-section.

After maintaining the holders 21 into position by the maintaining means 3 and after unlocking the locking means 23, 24, a carrier device 60 is lowered into a position in which it is able to take over the panels 40 from the stack forming means 20. The guiding means 4, which are embodied here as angular profiles 4, are able to receive guide elements 61 of the carrier device 60, which guide elements 61 can slide along the angular profiles 4, such that the carrier device 60 is guided into said position in which it is able to take over the panels 40 from the stack forming means 20. Once the carrier device 60 is brought into position, endless conveyor belts 62 that are arranged on said above described first and second opposite sides of the stack of panels 40 are moved towards the panels 40 such that holding elements 63 in the form of pins 63 will extend below the panels 40 and thereby support the panels 40. A motor 76 is provided for moving the conveyor belts 62 towards the panels 40. Once the pins 63 support the panels 40, the maintaining bars 3 are hinged away and then the holders 21 are free to hinge away from the panels 40, see figure 3. After hinging or moving the holders 21 away, the panels 40 are only supported by the pins 63 of the carrier device 60 and thus taken over by the carrier device 60.

The carrier device 60 has in this embodiment a stiff and/or rigid frame 64 that holds the endless conveyor belts 62 which are part of delivery means 62, 69 of the carrier device, together with below to be described catching means 69. Said frame 64 comprises second hoisting means 66. Hingedly connected to said frame 64 are first hoisting means 65. The first and second hoisting means 65, 66 are embodied here as lifting eyes, to which first ropes 67 and second ropes 68, respectively, are connected. As will be described later, an angle between the delivery means 62, 69 and a roof can be adjusted by adjusting an angle between the first hoisting means 65 and the delivery means 62, 69.

Figures 4 - 6 show that after displacing the carrier device 60 from the guiding frame 1 the holders 21 can be hinged into a position in which they extend substantially parallel to the bottom part 22 of the stack forming means 20. Also the bars 23 are hinged into a position substantially parallel to the bottom part 22 of the stack forming means 20 and the rods 24 are reconnected to the bars 23. By hinging the holders 21 and bars 23 into this position which they extend substantially parallel to the bottom part 22 of the stack forming means 20, said stack forming means 20 is more or less folded into a compact shape. Figure 7 shows the stack forming means 20 in this folded state, in which it can easily be stored and/or transported.

Figures 8 - 10 show the steps of transporting the carrier device 60 to a roof 80. Figure 8 shows the carrier device 60 in a substantially horizontal position in which the panels 40 extend substantially horizontal with a main plane thereof. Prior to positioning the carrier device on the roof 80, a distance between placement means 70 and the delivery means 62, 69 can be adjusted using a retractable and extendable cylinder 71, see also figure 3. By retracting the cylinder 71, the placement means 70 are moved in the direction of the delivery means 62, 69 and vice versa. The placement means are for this purpose moveably with respect to the frame 64 and in particular along a part of the frame 64. Figure 10 shows that with respect to the original position as shown in figures 8 and 9 the placement means 70 are moved away from the delivery means 62, 69 in order to increase the distance between the delivery means 62, 69 and the placement means 70. The placement means of this embodiment comprise a plurality of wheels 72 which can be positioned on top op a collar beam 81 of the roof 80 and a plurality of spaced apart guiding elements 73 that in use extend in pairs over opposite sides of said collar beam 81. Said wheels 72 are provided in the middle of said guiding elements 73. By means of a retractable and extendable second cylinder 74 an angle between the frame 64 and the first hoisting means 65 can be adjusted, by retracting or extending the second cylinder 74. This may take place because the first and second ropes 67, 68 each have a fixed length and because the second cylinder 74 is located at one side of the carrier device 60, in particular at the side of the carrier device 60 where the placement means 70 are provided, such that by retracting the second cylinder 74 the side of the carrier device 60 where the placement means 70 are positioned is lifted upwards and thereby the angle of the carrier device 60 with respect to the roof is adjusted. By extending the second cylinder 74 the side of the carrier device 60 where the placement means 70 are arranged may be lowered with respect to the other side, such that the angle of the carrier device 60 is adjusted in the opposite direction. The first and second ropes 67, 68 are held by a crane 75 in a freely suspended state. Figure 9 shows that with respect to the original horizontal position of the carrier device 60 the carrier device 60 and thereby both the delivery means 62, 69 and the placement means 70 are adjusted into a position substantially parallel to the slope of the roof 80. Once both the distance between the placement means 70 and the delivery means 62, 69 and the angle of the carrier device 60 with respect to the roof 80 are suitably set, the carrier device 60 is lowered onto the roof as shown in figure 10.

A person may control the delivery of the panels 40 via a control panel 77. Said control panel 77 may also be used for controlling the first and second cylinders 71, 74. Delivery of a panel 40 takes place by moving the endless conveyor belt 62 in a direction towards the roof 80, i.e. a delivery direction. Once the pins 63 reach the return end of the conveyor belt 62 the pins 63 are moved away and no longer support the panel 40 they were supporting. The panel 40 then falls onto a catching element 69, which catching element 69 can subsequently be hinged away for delivering the panel 40 onto the roof 80. After delivering a panel 40 onto the roof 80 the carrier device can be moved along the collar beam 81 by means of said wheels 72 into a next position in which a next panel 40 can be delivered. Said person, or another person, may attach the panel 40 to the roof 80, for example by using nails, screws, or other suitable attachment means.

Figures 8 - 10 show that the angle of the carrier device 60 and the distance between the placement means 70 and the delivery means 62, 69 are adjusted after the carrier device 60 is hoisted and prior to positioning the carrier device 60 on the roof 80. Practically the angle and distance may be adjusted prior to hoisting the carrier device 60, such that a person may adjust the angle and distance using the control panel 77 when the carrier device 60 is still on the ground. The angle and distance may be adjusted in accordance with the roof slope and distance between collar beams 81 which are known or can at least be measured and thereby known. Alternatively or additionally a wireless controller may be provided for controlling the first and second cylinders 71, 74, such that the first and second cylinders 71, 74 may be controlled at a distance from the carrier device 60. Said wireless controller may wirelessly communicate with the carrier device 60 and in particular with the control panel 77 thereof.

Figures 11 - 12 show that the angle adjustment of the carrier device 60 with respect to the roof 80 may also be obtained in a different way using a second embodiment of the carrier device 60. Only the differences of this second embodiment will be described here. For a further description the reader is referred to the description of figures 1 - 10. The carrier device 60 of the second embodiment of figures 11 - 12 differs in that the first rope 67 is connected to a reel 90, such that the length of the rope 67 may be increased or decreased, thereby adjusting the angle of the carrier device 60 with respect to the roof 80. Figure 12 in particular shows that by decreasing the length of the rope 67 with respect to the length of the rope 67 as shown in figure 11, the side of the carrier device 60 where the placement means 70 are located is lifted upwards.

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims.