The present invention relates to holding and lifting apparatus, specifically slings and straps for lifting scaffolding.

A lifting sling/strap is used with a lifting device or crane to lift objects effectively and safely. Slings usually consist of cable, chain, rope or webbing, and generally include metal devices such as hooks, shackles, links or rings to attach the sling to the lifting device. Different types of sling are appropriate for different applications, depending on their composition, working load, length, slinging mode etc. Tie down straps (also called ratchet straps, lashing straps or tie downs) are fasteners used to hold down objects during transport. Tie down straps are essentially webbing that is outfitted with tie down hardware. This hardware allows the tie down strap to attach to the area surrounding the objects, loop over the objects, and/or attach to the objects.

There is a need for an improved apparatus to be used simultaneously in holding and lifting scaffold, which can improve safety and efficiency.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding and lifting apparatus comprising: a sling having a first end and a second end, a fastening device connected to the first end of the sling, a lift device attachment means connected to the sling, the sling being configured with the second end extending through the fastening device to form a loop defining a loop receiving area, the loop being reconfigurable between a maximum and minimum loop receiving area, the sling comprising a detent located proximate the second end for limiting the withdrawal of the sling through the fastening device.

Advantageously, the apparatus provides a simple and effective solution to improve the speed in the already formed loop, and can be passed over the load to be lifted and sufficiently secured to avoid uncontrolled movement of the load improving safety.

In an embodiment, the fastening device comprises a resiliently biased clamp. In an embodiment, the lift device attachment means comprises an eyelet hook.

In an embodiment, the load is scaffolding equipment for example boards or planks.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a sling protective sleeve. The protective sleeve may surround a portion of the sling. The apparatus may comprise two or more protective sleeves.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises one or more impact indicators located on the sling. The impact indicators may comprise stitched indicators.

In an embodiment, the detent comprises a fold in the sling.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provide a method of producing a holding and lifting apparatus as described in the first aspect, the method comprise the steps in the sequence:

(1) providing a sling having a first end and a second end with a fastening device connected at the first end, and a lift attachment device connected to the sling;

(2) passing the second end of the sling through the fastening device to form a loop defining a loop receiving area; and,

(3) forming a detent within the sling proximate the second end that has passed through the fastening device, for limiting the withdrawal of the sling through the fastening device.

Advantageously, this method provides a simple and effective method of producing the holding and lifting apparatus.

The invention may be produced in various ways and an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a drawing of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a wide configuration; Figure 2 is a drawing of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a narrow configuration;

Figure 3 is a drawing of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention prior to the second and third steps of the producing method;

Figures 4 to 8 are images of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,

Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 - 3 of the drawings, there is shown a holding and lifting apparatus (100) for a load (L) according to an embodiment of the present invention. I n this embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sling (110) which can be a flexible strap or belt used in the form of a loop to support or raise a load (L). The sling (110) has a first end (111) and a second end (112). The first end (111) is connected to a fastening device (114) such as a clamp. The second end (112) is passed through the fastening device (112) forming the loop. The loop defines a loop receiving area (113) into which a load (L) is placed or which is placed around a load. The loop receiving area (113) can be increased or decreased by passing more or less of the loop through the fastening device (114); in Figure 1 the area can be seen to be towards a maximum area size and in Figure 2 the area (113) can been seen to be towards a minimum area size. A portion of the sling (110) proximate the second end (112) comprises a detent (118) formed from a stitched fold in the sling, which prevents the second end (112) from returning through the fastening device (114). A lift device attachment means (116) is attached to the sling (110) in the form of an eyelet hook, which enables the apparatus and load to be connected to a lifting device such as a crane or pulley system. The apparatus includes a protective sleeve (120) which covers the sling (110) to provide protection for the sling from the load (L). The sling also comprises impact indicator (122) which can indicate if the sling has been impacted or overloaded. The sling (110) may be comprised of a variety of materials such as webbing, cable, chain, rope, the physical dimensions and properties such weight, thickness, elasticity can be varied to suit a specific use. In a preferred embodiment the sling (110) is comprised of webbing.

The fastening device (114) may be any suitable type device such as a buckle or a ratchet that allows the sling to be formed into a loop and retained to a degree, enabling the loop area to be varied in size. The detent (118) may comprise a suitable means to prevent the second end (112) of the sling returning through the fastening device (114) and in the illustrated embodiment comprises a fold in the material or clip attached to the sling. As the fastening device engages (114) with the detent (118) to prevent the loop becoming undone, it therefore restricts the maximum possible size of the loop receiving area (113). In a preferred embodiment, the fastening device (114) is a resiliently biased buckle and the detent (118) comprises a stitched "z-fold" in the webbing.

The lift device attachment means (116) may be any suitable attachment device such as a snap/c/j hook, shackle or carabiner, for attaching the apparatus (100) and load (L) to a lifting device. In a preferred embodiment, the lift device attachment means (114) comprises an eyelet and hook, the sling (110) passes through and is secured around eyelet of the hook.

The apparatus (110) may include one or more protective sleeves (120) which can be removably detached from the sling (110); alternatively a single sleeve (120) may cover a substantial part of the sling (110). The sleeve(s) (120) can be moved into position to protect the sling from abrasion and cutting which will help to extend the life of the sling (110) and reduce the risk of cutting the sling over sharp edges of a load (L). In a preferred embodiment the protective sleeves (120) are wear sleeves for webbing.

The apparatus (100) may include one or more impact indicators (120) such as: pop-stitch impact indicators, formed by folding over and stitching the webbing to form a pop-stitch, which breaks when impacted or loaded; heat signatures or glazing -which can indicate a force and weight applied, melting an area; simple wear indicator with soft metal notches can indicate loading; energy absorbers which after being deployed indicate arrest or loading; deformable indicators can indicate extreme overloading or misapplication of an item (i.e. transversely loaded snaphook). In a preferred embodiment, the impact indicators (122) are stitch patterns which hold two pieces of webbing together or capture a metal component. The two sections of webbing are laid together and stitched, usually with a rectangular lock stitch pattern, and the threads used can have a contrasting colour from the webbing. The contrasting thread can provide a visual indication of any damage to the stitch pattern.

An embodiment of the apparatus is shown in Figures 4 to 8 of the drawings. The embodiment shown includes the features described above.

During use of the apparatus (100), a user takes the loop formed from the sling (110) and passes it around a load to be lifted such as scaffolding equipment in the form of boards, planks, tubes etc. or the user takes a load and passes it through the loop receiving area (113). The user can then pull the second end (112) further through the fastening device (114) until the loop receiving area is abutting the load (L) holding it securely for lifting. The protective sleeve (120) may be positioned correctly. A lifting device can then be coupled with the apparatus and load by the lift device attaching means (116). Once the load has reached its destination, the fastening device can be undone, for example by depressing the resilient bias and returning a portion of the (second end of the) loop through the fastening device, to increase the loop receiving area (113). The load can be removed from the apparatus (100), the impact indicators (122) can be assessed and the process can be continued again.

A method of producing the holding and lifting apparatus is described below with reference to Figure 9. The method comprises the steps in sequence of (1) providing a sling having a first end and a second end with a fastening device connected at the first end, and a lift attachment device connected to the sling; (2) passing the second end (112) of the sling (110) through a fastening device (114) to form a loop defining a loop receiving area; and, (3) forming a detent (118) within the sling proximate the second end (112) that has passed through the fastening device (114) for limiting the withdrawal of the sling (110) through the fastening device (114). Following the final step the loop can no longer be undone, this helps speed up the use and safety by maintaining the loop, even if the fastening device fails to securely clamp the strap. Select embodiments of the invention only have been described and illustrated, and it will be readily apparent that other embodiments, modifications, additions and omissions are possible within the scope of the invention.

The apparatus of the invention may be varied according to requirements, including but not limited to physical dimensions or construction materials, having as its objective the provision of a simple and effective holding and lifting device to be looped around a load.

Index

100. apparatus

110. sling

111. first end

112. second end

113. loop receiving area

114. fastening device

116. lift device attachment means

118. detent

120. protective sleeve

122. impact indicator

L. load