FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for lifting objects and/or vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for lifting objects and /or vessels comprising an expandable gripping clamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although there are many different types of apparatus suitable for lifting heavy objects many of these types of apparatus have problems such as being complex and expensive. Moreover, many types of previous apparatus are pneumatically driven and are therefore prone to reliability problems. Apparatus which is motor driven is also prone to reliability problems and can also be extremely noisy. Previous lifting apparatus also clamp and/or grip around the exterior of the object being lifted which may result in expensive damage to the exterior surface of the object if the clamping is not properly controlled.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems. It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved lifting apparatus which is simple and easy to operate.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved lifting apparatus which does not require external power means such as being pneumatically driven or powered by a diesel motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for lifting, said apparatus comprising: an elongate member comprising a substantially tapered section; an expansion gripping clamp adapted to fit around the substantially tapered section of the elongate member; wherein the expansion clamp is capable of expanding in diameter to engage with an inner surface of an object to be lifted and thereby lift the object.

The present invention therefore relates to apparatus suitable for lifting objects and/or vessels. Typical objects and/or vessels which may be lifted may be objects used in the construction industry. For example, pods and any other form of building components, may be lifted using apparatus according to the present invention. The pods or building components may comprise a hollow chamber into which the apparatus may be inserted and then expanded. The pods may contain pre-manufactured bathrooms, kitchens etc that may be pre- built and then lowered into position in a building and may then be lifted using the apparatus according to the present invention.

Conveniently, the apparatus does not require external power means such as being pneumatically driven or powered by a diesel motor.

In particular embodiments, the elongate member may be a rod which may, for example, be centrally mounted in the apparatus. The elongate member may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The elongate member may comprise an upper section and a lower section. The lower section may comprise a tapered portion which may reduce in diameter as it nears, for example, the upper section.

The tapered section may there be conical or frusto-conical in shape. The upper section preferably does not have a tapered section and may be substantially cylindrical in shape. Around both the upper and lower sections of the elongate member there may be threaded sections. The threaded sections may extend around substantially the entire exterior of the upper and lower sections apart from, for example, the tapered section. The tapered section may be substantially smooth to facilitate movement of the expansion gripping clamp.

The elongate member may have a diameter of about 1 - 100 cm or about 10 - 50 cm. The elongate member may have a length of about 0.1 m - 10 m or about 0.5 - 5 m.

The tapered section may reduce the diameter of the elongate member by about 5 - 50% or preferably by about 10 - 30 %. The angle of the taper may be about 1 - 20 ^Q or about 1 - 10 ^Q to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The expansion gripping clamp may have an open position and a closed position. The expansion gripping clamp may extend around at least part of or substantially the entire circumference of the elongate member. The closed position of the expansion gripping clamp may be an unexpanded form with reduced diameter. The open position of the expansion gripping clamp may be of an expanded form with an expanded diameter. The expansion gripping clamp may therefore have a first configuration which may be used to insert the apparatus inside, for example, a hollow chamber of another object and/or vessel to be lifted. The expansion gripping clamp may then move to a second configuration where the expansion gripping clamp may be used to engage tightly with the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel to be lifted. By lifted is meant raised above ground level.

The expansion gripping clamp may comprise a central aperture which allows the expansion gripping clamp to be fitted onto the elongate member. This central aperture4 may change in diameter as the expansion gripping clamp expands or contracts in diameter. The expansion gripping clamp may therefore be seen as collar with a variable diameter. A clip and/or spring may be used to position and/or hold the expansion gripping clamp substantially around the tapered section of the elongate member. In use, the expansion gripping clamp in the closed position with a reduced diameter may allow the apparatus to be lowered inside an object and/or vessel to be lifted. Once lowered inside the object and/or vessel, the expansion gripping clamp may then expand to an open position as the apparatus is lifted. During this process the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel being lifted starts to catch against and/or engage with the outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp. As the apparatus is lifted the expansion gripping clamp may slip and/or move down the tapered section and compress the spring below further. As the expansion gripping clamp slips and/or moves down the tapered section, the expansion gripping member may be expanded as the increased diameter of the tapered section may increase the size of the central aperture in the expansion gripping clamp thereby increasing the diameter of the expansion gripping clamp. The expansion gripping clamp may therefore function as an expandable collar around the elongate member and be forced against the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel being lifted.

The outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp may be made of or comprise rubber-like material and may also comprise teeth to improve traction against the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel being lifted.

In the open position, the expansion gripping clamp may therefore have an enlarged diameter with the outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp engaged against at least one or a plurality of the inner surfaces of the object and/or vessel being lifted. The outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp may therefore expand out against at least one or a plurality of the inner surfaces of the object and/or vessel being lifted. As the weight of the object and/or vessel being lifted increases, then the gripping forces are increased as the sides of the expansion gripping clamp may be pushed outwards with greater force. The expansion gripping clamp may therefore extend around the tapered section of the lower section of the elongate member. The expansion gripping clamp may comprise a central aperture which is adapted to extend around the tapered section of the lower section of the elongate member. The expansion gripping clamp may therefore comprise a main body member which may be adapted to fit around the tapered section of, for example, the lower section of the elongate member. On the outer surface of the main body member of the expansion gripping clamp there may be an upper circumferential member and a lower circumferential member. On the outer surfaces of the upper and lower circumferential members there may be engaging teeth. The engaging teeth may be made of or comprise rubber and may be used to engage against the inner surface(s) of the objects and/or vessels being lifted and may therefore be used to facilitate the lifting of the objects by improving grip. Between the upper circumferential member and the lower circumferential member, an attachment member such as a clip may be fitted to hold the expansion gripping clamp together. The clip may have an expandable diameter to accommodate the change in diameter of the expansion gripping clamp. The expansion gripping clamp may comprise a central aperture with a diameter di in a first configuration and a diameter d ₂ in a second configuration wherein diameter di may be greater than d ₂ .

The expansion gripping clamp may comprise a plurality of separate sections such as four quadrants which may make up the expansion gripping clamp. The plurality of separate sections may be retained together using any suitable form of attachment means such as a clip. The plurality of separate sections of the expansion gripping clamp may be hinged together or loosely attached to one another. The outer diameter of the expansion gripping clamp may have a shape adapted to the shape of the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel being lifted. This may help to increase the area of contact between the expansion gripping clamp and the inner surface(s) of the object and/or vessel being lifted. Typically, the outer circumference of the expansion gripping clamp may be substantially, rectangular, square or circular.

Conveniently, the diameter of the expansion gripping clamp in the unexpanded form may be only slightly smaller then the diameter of the inner hollow in the object and/or vessel into which it is lowered. This means that the diameter of the expansion gripping clamp does not have to expand too much. Typically, the diameter of the expansion gripping clamp may expand by about 1 - 50 %, about 5 - 40 % or about 10 - 30 %.

The apparatus may also comprise a fixing element such as a bolt which may be threaded onto the elongate member. The bolt may comprise a central aperture and a tap hole through which, for example, a screw may be inserted to prevent any form of rotation of the bolt. The bolt may be screwed onto the thread of the lower section of the elongate element.

The apparatus may also comprise a spring which may be mounted on the elongate element above the fixing element (e.g. a bolt). The spring may be a substantially helical spring member with has a diameter so that it fits around the lower section of the elongate element. The spring may be used to support weight from above. The expansion gripping clamp may be fitted on the elongate member above the spring.

The apparatus may also comprise a clip which may be centrally located around substantially the middle of the gripping clamp. The clip may be substantially ¹ O'- shaped with protruding members which may be used to secure the clip by inserting fixing members (e.g. a screw) through apertures. The clip may have the function of holding the expansion gripping clamp together.

Above the expansion clamp there may be a sleeve which may be fitted onto and around the elongate element. At the top of the sleeve there may a shackle. The lifting shackle may comprise a substantially 'U'-shaped member and a lower section which may have an eyelet. The shackle may be attached to for example, a crane, which may be used to lift the apparatus according to the present invention and hence any object and/or vessel attached to the apparatus. All of the parts referred to above in the lifting apparatus according to the present invention may be made from a strong material such as a metal and/or alloy.

The lifting apparatus may be used in combination with other similar lifting apparatus. For example, four lifting apparatus may be used together to lift four corners of an object. It is therefore preferred that the objects being lifted comprise a hollow member through which the apparatus of the present invention may be inserted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of lifting objects, said method comprising: providing an elongate member comprising a substantially tapered section; providing an expansion gripping clamp adapted to fit around the substantially tapered section of the centrally mounted rod; wherein the expansion clamp is capable of expanding in diameter to engage with an inner surface of an object to be lifted and thereby lift the object. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided use of the apparatus according to the first aspect in lifting objects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a lifting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further representation of the lifting apparatus shown in Figure 1 with an expansion gripping clamp in a closed position;

Figure 3 is a further representation of the lifting apparatus shown in Figure 1 with an expansion gripping clamp in an open position; Figure 4 is a representation of threaded rod which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figures 5a and 5b are representations of a bolt which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 6 is a representation of a spring which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 7 is a representation of a clip which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 8 is a representation of the expansion gripping clamp which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3; Figure 9 is a further representation of the expansion gripping clamp which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 10 is a further representation of the expansion gripping clamp which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 11 is a representation of a sleeve which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 12 is a representation of a lower cap plate which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 13 is a representation of an upper cap plate which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3; Figures 14a and 14b are representations of a bolt which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3; and Figure 15 is a representation of a shackle which is part of the lifting apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the provision of lifting apparatus comprising an expansion gripping clamp which can be used to lift, for example, heavy construction parts. The expansion gripping clamp is adapted to expand within a hollow and/or recess in an object and/or vessel to be lifted and thereby provide sufficient gripping force to lift the object and/or vessel. Figure 1 is a representation of lifting apparatus according to the present invention, generally designated 100. The lifting apparatus 100 comprises a substantially centrally mounted threaded rod 110. At the bottom of the threaded rod 110 there is a bolt 130 threaded onto the threaded rod 110. The bolt 130 is adapted to fit around the threaded rod 110. A spring 140 is then mounted on the threaded rod 110 above the bolt 130. Located above the spring 140 there is an expansion gripping clamp 160 according to the present invention and a clip 150 centrally located around substantially the middle of the expansion gripping clamp 160. Above the expansion gripping clamp 160 there is then a sleeve 170 which extends around the threaded rod 110. At the top of the sleeve 170 there is a lower plate 180 and an upper plate 190. A further bolt 200 is then fastened above the upper plate 190. As shown in Figure 1 there is then a lifting shackle 210.

Figures 2 and 3 represent the lifting apparatus 100 in use. In Figure 2, the expansion gripping clamp 160 is in the closed position. As shown in Figure 3, the lifting apparatus 100 may be located within a pod 300 which is to be lifted. Pod 300 is a hollow element with a bottom and four sides. The expansion gripping clamp 160 in the closed position has a reduced diameter which allows the lifting apparatus 100 to be lowered inside the pod 300. Once lowered inside the pod 300, the expansion gripping clamp 160 can then be expanded to an open position as shown in Figure 3. In the open position, the expansion gripping clamp 160 has an enlarged diameter with the outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp 160 engaged against the inner surfaces of the pod 300. The outer edges of the expansion gripping clamp 160 are therefore expanding out against the inner surfaces of the pod 300.

Figure 4 is a representation of the threaded rod 110 which is substantially cylindrical in shape. As shown in Figure 4, the threaded rod 110 has an upper section 112 and a lower section 114. The lower section 114 comprises a tapered portion 116 which reduces in diameter as it nears the upper section 112. The upper section 112 does not have a tapered section and is substantially cylindrical in shape. Around both the upper and lower sections 1 12, 114 there is a thread 118,120, respectively.

Figures 5a and 5b are representations of bolt 130. The bolt 130 comprises a central aperture 132 and a tap hole 134 through which a screw may be inserted to prevent any form of rotation of the bolt 130. The bolt may be screwed onto the thread 120 of the lower section 114 of the threaded rod 1 10. Figure 6 is a representation of the spring 140. The spring 140 is a substantially helical spring with has a diameter so that it fits around the lower section 114 of the threaded rod 110. The spring may be used to support weight from above.

Figure 7 is a representation of the clip 150 which may be centrally located around substantially the middle of the expansion gripping clamp 160. The clip is substantially 'O'-shaped with protruding members 154,156 which may be used to secure the clip 150 by inserting fixing members (e.g. a screw) through apertures 158,159. The clip 150 has the function of holding the expansion gripping clamp 160 together. Figure 8 is a representation of the expansion gripping clamp 160. As shown in Figure 8 the expansion gripping clamp 160 extends around the tapered section 116 of the lower section 114 of the threaded rod 110. The expansion gripping clamp 160 therefore has a central aperture which extends around the tapered section 116 of the lower section 114 of the threaded rod 1 10. The expansion gripping clamp 160 has a main body member 166 which is adapted to fit around the tapered section 116 of the lower section 114 of the threaded rod 110. On the outer surface of the main body member 166 of the expansion gripping clamp 160 there is an upper circumferential member 162 and a lower circumferential member 164. On the outer surfaces of the upper and lower circumferential members 162, 164 there are engaging teeth 163,165, respectively. The engaging teeth 163,165 are used to engage against the inner surface of the pods 300 and are therefore used to facilitate the lifting of the pods 300 by improving grip. Between the upper circumferential member 162 and the lower circumferential member 164, the clip is fitted to hold the expansion gripping clamp 160 together. Figures 9 and 10 are top views of the expansion gripping clamp 160.

Figure 9 shows the expansion gripping clamp 160 in a closed position and Figure 10 shows the expansion gripping clamp 160 in an open position. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the expansion gripping clamp 160 comprises four quadrants 160a, 160b, 160c, 16Od which make up the expansion gripping clamp 160. The expansion gripping clamp 160 has a central aperture 169 with a diameter ύ^ in Figure 9 and diameter d ₂ in Figure 10. Diameter di is greater than d ₂ . The central aperture 169 also has a tapered area 161.

Figure 11 is a representation of the sleeve 170 which extends around the upper section 112 of the threaded rod. Figure 12 is a representation of the lower plate 180 which has a central aperture 182 to allow the upper part of the sleeve 170 to fit through.

Figure 13 is a representation of the upper plate 190 which has a central aperture 192 to allow the upper part of the sleeve 170 to fit through.

Figures 14a and 14b are representations of the bolt 200 which has a hole 202.

Figure 15 is a representation of the lifting shackle 210. The lifting shackle 210 comprises a substantially 'U'-shaped member and a lower section 214 which has an eyelet 216 which may be used to attach the shackle 210 to a crane and the like. All of the parts referred to above made in forming the lifting apparatus are made from a strong material such as a metal and/or alloy. The lifting apparatus 100 may be used in combination with other lifting apparatus. For example, four lifting apparatus may be used together to lift pods in conjunction with a crane.

Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, any suitable type of expandable gripping means may be used.