The present disclosure relates to a device for lifting and transporting objects, in particular pavement elements such as tiles or slabs or the like .

The weight of pavement elements, such as tiles, slabs or paving stones, and the usually large numbers required for making a pavement, are such that placing these elements is laborious, requiring considerable physical exertion and time.

Trolleys have been designed for alleviating this work. WO 2011/078669 and EP 0 701 023 A1 disclose examples of such devices.

It is an object of the invention to make it even easier and more comfortable to lift and move tiles and similar objects.

The object of the invention is achieved with a device for transporting an object, such as a plate or slab. The device comprises :

- an axle with wheels;

- a standing frame with a lower end supported by the axle and a top end provided with at least one manual actuator for pivoting the lever;

- at least one abutment member supported by the lower end of the standing frame in front of the one or more wheels for abutting a first side of an object to be lifted;

- a lever pivotable relative to the standing frame, the lever having a rear section extending from a rear side of the frame and a front end extending from the opposite side of the frame;

- at least one clamping member extending downward from the front end of the lever for engaging a second side of the object opposite to the object's first side. It was found that using a manual actuator for tilting the lever substantially alleviates operation of the device.

The device becomes more manageable and easier to handle.

In a specific embodiment, the device may comprise one or more springs exerting an upward biasing force to the lever. Such a spring can for example be a tension spring extending between the rear end of the lever and the lower end of the standing frame below the axle .

The force exerted by a spring increases with the extent to which the spring is stretched. Therefore, in order to obtain a more constant spring force, the stretch should be limited. To achieve this the spring should be positioned close to the pivoting axle of the lever . However, such a small distance results in a lower moment of force . To obtain a sufficiently high moment of force, the spring stiffness must be high, which has the drawback that the spring force is less constant . It was found that this dilemma can be solved by using a plurality of springs, e.g. , two springs, so springs can be used of a lower stiffness.

The moment of force exerted by the spring (s) must be sufficiently high to alleviate lifting of the lever by a user, but must not be so high that it lifts the lever on its own.

The lever should tilt down under its own weight.

Optionally, the lever may have an adjustable length, e.g. , comprising telescopically extendible and retractable frame tubes . If springs are used to bias the lever, the spring or springs can also be made length adjustable. In that case, the spring or springs may be length adjustable under an angle with a longitudinal direction of the spring (s), e.g. , such that stretching the spring results in a .larger distance between the pivot axle and the point where the spring (s) is attached to the lever. This has the advantage that adjusting the length does not only change the spring force but also changes the moment arm. The spring can for example be length adjustable by a screw spindle, one end of the spring (s) being connected to a shoe with a threaded opening receiving the screw spindle, the shoe being movable along a guide by rotation of the screw spindle . The guide may for example comprise slots

symmetrically arranged at both sides of the spring(s), the slots receiving matching protrusions of the shoe .

In a specific embodiment, the frame may comprise two legs supported by the axle between the wheels and a bearing bracket supported by the axle and/or connected to the legs, the bearing bracket bearing a pivot axis facilitating pivotal movement of the lever.

The manual actuator may for example comprise a pull lever at a top end of the standing frame and a Bowden cable functionally connecting the pull lever to the lever . Such a pull lever may for example be mounted on a handle bar.

Alternatively, the actuator may be part of a mechanical linkage, or a hydraulic or electric control of the lever movement, comparable to similar systems used with bicycles or motor cycles .

The lever may still also be actuated by foot .

Optionally, the abutment member (s) and/or the clamping members may have an adjustable height. Optionally, the distance between the abutment member and the axle may be adj ustable .

The tiles can be firmly and. stably gripped if the abutment member (s) and the clamping member (s) form a three- point clamp, for instance by using two abutment members at the lower end of the standing frame, and one clamping member at the end of the lever, e.gi,, in a symmetrical arrangement . The clamping and abutment members can for example be parallel plates, the clamping member facing the abutment members.

In a specific embodiment, the abutment member and the clamping members can be adjustable about a rotational axis. If the plates are rotatable in a range of -5 to 5 degrees, they can be adjusted to optimize the grip for objects that do not have perfectly parallel opposite sides .

Optionally, the clamping member (s) and/or the abutment member (s) may be provided with a stop engaging a top surface of the tile to be lifted. If these stops are

sufficiently low, the abutment and clamping plates will only engage an upper edge section of the tile and the grip can be maintained until the lower surface of the lifted tile is substantially below the lowest point of the wheels. Hence, the tile is still firmly gripped when it is lowered and already abutting the adjacent tile. This makes it easier to accurately position the tile tightly against the adjacent tile.

In a specific embodiment, the clamping member (s) and/or abutment member (s) may be replaceable by clamping member (s) and/or abutment member (s) of a different type, e . g. , to lift other types of tiles, slabs or plates . For instance, the device can be sold with a set of clamping member (s) and abutment member (s) with and without stops for engaging the tile's top surface.

The invention also relates to a device comprising a wheeled axle, a standing frame with a lower end supported by the axle, at least one abutment member supported by the lower end of the standing frame in front of the one or more wheels for abutting a first side of an object to be lifted, a lever pivotable relative to the standing frame, at least one clamping member extending downward from the front end of the lever for engaging a second side of the object opposite to the object's first side, characterized in that the clamping member (s) and the abutment member (s) are arranged in a triangular configuration, e.g. , with two abutment members and one clamping member .

The invention also relates to a device comprising a wheeled axle, a standing frame with a lower end supported by the axle, at least one abutment member supported by the lower- end of the standing frame in front of the one or more wheels for abutting a first side of an object to be lifted, a lever pivotable relative to the standing frame, at least one

clamping member extending downward from the front end of the lever for engaging a second side of the object opposite to the object's first side, characterized in that the height of the clamping member (s) and the abutment member (s) is adjustable and/or the distance between the abutment members and the clamping members is adjustable and/or at least one of the abutment member (s) and clamping member (s) can be rotated about a vertical axis, e.g . , over a limited range of -5 to 5

degrees, relative to a position parallel to the axis .

The invention will hereafter be more explained with further details and with reference to the accompanying

drawings showing an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1: shows a device according to the present invention;

Figure 2; shows the device of Figure 1 in side view;

Figure 3; shows in cross section the suspension of the lever of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4: shows the suspension of the lever in detail in perspective front view;

Figure 5: shows the suspension of the lever in detail in perspective rear view;

Figure 6A: shows the lever with the biasing lever separately and in side view;

Figure 6B: shows the parts of Figure 6B in exploded view;

Figure 7; shows the device of Figure 1 engaging a. tile with low stops .

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a wheeled device 1 for lifting and transporting a tile or slab 2. The device 1 comprises an axle 3 with wheels 4, a standing frame 5 and a lever 6 pivotably connected to the standing frame 5.

The standing frame 5 has a lower end 7 supported by the axle 3, and a top end 8 provided with handle grips 9. In use the standing frame 5 extends upwardly having the handle grips 9 at a height facilitating comfortable use by an average user. The height can be adjustable e.g., by using

telescopically extendible frame tubes.

In the shown embodiment, the standing frame 5 is made of two symmetrically shaped and arranged frame tubes 10 interconnected by traversal beams 11. At the top end 8 the tubes 10 diverge and are bent to form the handle grips 9. Also at the lower end 7 the frame tubes 10 diverge symmetrically.

At this lower end 7 the two frame tubes 10 are supported by horizontal tube fittings 12, as shown in more detail in

Figures 4 and 5. The tube fittings 12 are at a distance above the axle 3 and fixed to the axle 3 by downwardly extending triangular flanges 13.

Other frame constructions can also be used. For instance, a lifting device particularly for lifting and transporting heavy tiles or slabs can comprise three or more frame tubes .

In the shown embodiment both hollow tube fittings 12 telescopically receive a J-shaped tube section 14. The J- shaped tube sections 14 have a longer arm 15 received in the respective tube fitting 12, and a shorter arm 16 extending downward at a distance in front of the axle 3. The two J- shaped tube sections 14 have the same shapes and sizes and are symmetrically arranged.

The distance between the short arm 16 and the axle 3 can be adjustable, e.g., using a releasable lock, e.g., in the tube fittings 12.

The short arms 16 of both J-shaped tubes 14 are provided with a rear abutment plate 17, arranged for clamping against a first side of a tile 2 or slab to be lifted. In the shown embodiment, the two abutment plates 17 are provided with a stop 18 arranged for abutting a top side of the tile 2 or slab to be .lifted. The abutment plate 17 is attached to support 17A forming a releasable clamp fit or locked fit with the short arm 16. This way, the abutment plate is adjustable in height, in addition to the adjustable distance to the axle as described above . As a result, the abutment plate 17 is adjustable vertically, as well as horizontally towards and away from the axle .

The support 17A also makes it possible to adjust the rotational orientation of the abutment plates 17A to

compensate for deviations of the straightness and lack of parallelism of the engaged opposite side edges of a tile to be lifted.

The diverging lower tube ends 10 of the standing frame 5 are connected to a bracket 19 with a U-shaped cross section with a central web 20 facing the rear side of the device 1 and two forwardly extending side webs 21, which are symmetrically shaped and arranged. The central web 20 has openings 22 for passage of a biasing lever 23 (Figure 5) .

Going back to Figure 2, the lever 6 has a front tube 24 and a rear tube 25 telescopically receiving one end of the front tube 24. The front tube 24 is J-shaped, having a downwardly extending front section 26 carrying a clamping plate 27, arranged for clamping against a second side of the tile 2 to be lifted, the second side being opposite to the first side engaged by the rear abutment plates 17. The clamping plate 27 is provided with a stop 41 for engaging the top surface of a tile to be lifted. Due to the telescopic arrangement of the front and rear tubes of the lever 6, the length of the lever 6 is adjustable and can be fixated at selectable positions by means of a releasable lock 42. The clamping plate 27 is supported by a sleeve support 43 with a clamp fit allowing adjustment of height and allowing rotation over a range of -5 to 5 degrees to compensate for possible deviations of the straightness and possible lack of

parallelism of the engaged opposite side edges of a tile to be lifted.

The clamping plate 27 and the two abutment plates 17 form a symmetrical triangular arrangement resulting in a firm and mechanically stable three point grip .

The rear tube 25 of the lever 6 is pivotably suspended to the standing frame 5, as shown in cross section in Figure 3. The lever 6 pivots about a pivoting axle 28 at a distance above the axle 3.

The biasing lever 23 comprises a front part 29 {Figure 4) formed by a ϋ shaped clip bent around the lever 6 at a distance in front of the axle 3, having two outer tips 30 extending through the openings 22 in the central web 20 of the bracket 19 of the standing frame 5. These outer tips 30 of the clip 29 are upwardly bent to be more or less parallel to the central web 20 of the bracket 19. The lever 6 rests on the clip 29 but is not attached to it. As a result, the lever can be moved upwardly away from the clip 29, so the device 1 can be folded and be transported more easily. The biasing lever is shown separately in Figures 6A and 6B.

The outer tips 30 are connected to a bridge 31 bearing a rotatable screw spindle 32 (Figure 3) . The rear end of the screw spindle 32 passes a bearing in a rear end of the bridge 31 and is provided with a swing arm 33, so a user can rotate the screw spindle 32. A shoe 34 is positioned on the screw spindle 32. The shoe 34 is provided with an inner opening provided with an inner screw thread engaging the outer screw thread of the screw spindle 32. The shoe 34 has two projections 35 received in guiding slots 36 in the side webs of the bridge 31. By rotating the swing arm 33 of the screw spindle 32, the shoe 34 is moved along the screw spindle 32, while being guided by the guiding slots 36.

A pair of similar tensile springs 37 is connected to the lower side of the shoe 34. At their opposite ends the tensile springs 37 are connected to the lower side of the bracket 19 of the standing frame 5. The two tensile springs 37 have the same stiffness and length and are pre-stressed to provide a biasing pulling force to the biasing lever

23, making it easier to lift the lever 6. In another

embodiment, a single spring can be used, or three or more springs can be used.

The lever 6 can be lifted by using a manual actuator 38. The manual actuator 38 comprises a pull lever mounted to one of the hand grips 9 of the handle. The pull lever 38 is connected to one end of the inner cable of a Bowden cable 40, the ends of the sheath of the Bowden cable being fixed to the standing frame 5. The other end of the inner cable of the Bowden cable 40 is connected to the U-shaped clip 29 at a distance in front of the pivoting axle 28. By pinching the puli lever 38, a user pulls the Bowden cable 40 and lift the clip 29 with the lever 6. The user's action is assisted by the pulling forces exerted by the two tensile springs 37. Instead of tensile springs, alternatives can be used, such as a counterweight .

Since the lever 6 has a telescopically adjustable length, it is desirable that also the pulling force by the tensile springs 37 is adjustable. The pulling force can be adjusted by turning the swing arm 33 of the screw spindle 32. Turning the swing arm 33 to one side moves the shoe 34 rearward away from the pivoting axis 28 and the two tensile springs 37 are stretched resulting in a higher pulling force . If the swing arm 33 is turned into the opposite direction, the shoe 34 moves forward into the direction of the pivoting axle 28, relaxing the two tensile springs 37 and lowering the pulling force .

To lift a tile 2, a user can pinch the pull lever 39 to lift the lever 6 and drive the device 1 to the tile 2 until the rear abutment plates 17 abut one side of the tile 2 while the stops 18 of the rear abutment plates 17 abut the top side of the tile 2. Subsequently, the user releases the pull lever 39 and the lever 6 moves down until the stop 41 of the front clamping plate 27 engages the top side of the tile. The user can then pull the standing frame 5 rearwards to lift the lever 6 and the clamped tile 2. The lever 6 will tilt down slightly further. The weight of the tile 2 will exert a pulling force to the lever 6, so the tile 2 will clamp itself between the clamping plate 27 and the abutment plates 17.

The device 1 can then be driven to a position where the tile 2 is to be laid. At that position the user turns the standing frame forwards until the tile 2 rests on the ground. Then, the user can pinch the pull lever 39 again to lift the lever 6 and to release the tile 2. The device 1 facilitates accurate positioning so the user can directly pave the tile 2 without needing to reposition the tile 2 after release from the device 1.

Figure 7 shows how the device 1 grips a tile 2 just before releasing it adjacent another tile 2. The stops 18, 41 are positioned relatively low, so If these stops are

sufficiently low, so the abutment and clamping plates only engage an upper edge section of the tile 2 so the grip can be maintained until the lower surface of the lifted tile 2 is substantially below the lowest point of the wheels 4. This way, the tile 2 is still firmly gripped when it is lowered and already abutting the adjacent tile . The tile 2 is laid tightly and accurately against the adjacent tile .

If the stops 18, 41 are removed from the abutment and clamping plates 17, 27, the tile 2 can be piled on a second tile. In a next step, the lever 6 and the clamping and abutment plates 17, 27 can be lowered until they engage the opposite sides of the lower tile. By pulling the standing frame 5 rearwards, the pile can be lifted and transported as a whole. This way, a pile of two or more tiles, e.g., 2 - 5 tiles, can be lifted, transported and positioned. If the pile is released, the lever 6 and the clamping and abutment plates 17, 27 can be moved upwards to engages the second lowest tile. This way, the pile can be piled down until the upper tile is in its right position.

In the shown embodiment, the frame 5 is inclined to the rear. This creates a horizontal distance between the handle and the axle, which creates a larger moment of force when the handles 9 are pushed down. Starting from the inclined rest position of the standing frame 5, the user can directly push down the handles and does not have to pull the handles rearward first, as would be the case if the standing frame were not rearward inclined. This makes it easier to lift a tile and also makes it easier to lay down the tile in a controllable manner.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the device as oriented in the drawings, i.e. during normal use, unless otherwise specified. The "front side" of the device is the side facing the tile to be lifted, while the "rear side" is the side where the users stands during use.