U.S. patent application number 10/990027 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for material handler.
Invention is credited to Michael K. Sanders.
Application Number | 20060101782 10/990027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36384682 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060101782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanders; Michael K. |
May 18, 2006 |
Material handler
Abstract
A material handler for use by a self-propelled machines to
handle elongate panels of sheet material comprises a support
adapted to receive and support the elongate panels. A base mounts
the support for pivotal movement of the support relative to the
base about a tilt axis which is transverse to the length of the
elongate panels when held on the support. The base is adapted for
connection to the self-propelled machine. A mover drives the
pivotal movement of the support relative to the base to selectively
tilt the support about the tilt axis so that when the elongate
sheets are held by the support the elongate sheets assumes a
desired slope along their lengths.
Inventors: |
Sanders; Michael K.;
(Edwardsville, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SENNIGER POWERS
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
16TH FLOOR
ST LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Family ID: |
36384682 |
Appl. No.: |
10/990027 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/749.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 21/1827 20130101;
E04G 21/168 20130101; E04G 21/167 20130101; E04D 15/04 20130101;
E04F 21/1816 20130101; B66F 9/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/749.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 21/00 20060101
E04F021/00 |
Claims
1. A material handler for use by a self-propelled machines to
handle elongate panels of sheet material, the material handler
comprising: a support adapted to receive and support the elongate
panels; a base mounting the support for pivotal movement of the
support relative to the base about a tilt axis which is transverse
to the length of the elongate panels when held on the support, the
base being adapted for connection to the self-propelled machine; a
mover for driving the pivotal movement of the support relative to
the base to selectively tilt the support about the tilt axis so
that when the elongate sheets are held by the support the elongate
sheets assumes a desired slope along their lengths.
2. A material handler as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
pivot connecting the support to the base.
3. A material handler as set forth in claim 2 wherein the pivot
comprises a hinge connecting the support to the base for pivoting
about the tilt axis.
4. A material handler as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a
linkage connecting the support to the base, the linkage being
adapted to extend and retract to permit the pivotal movement of the
support on the hinge.
5. A material handler as set forth in claim 4 wherein the base
comprises a platform underlying the support, the hinge connecting
the support to the platform along a first side thereof and the
linkage connecting the support to a second side of the platform
opposite the first side.
6. A material handler as set forth in claim 4 wherein the support
is adjustable for receiving the elongate sheets of different
widths.
7. A material handler as set forth in claim 6 wherein the support
comprises plural support arms spaced apart from each other, each
support arm having an adjustable length for accommodating elongate
panels of different widths.
8. A material handler as set forth in claim 7 wherein the support
is adjustable for receiving elongate panels of different
lengths.
9. A material handler as set forth in claim 8 wherein the base
comprises a platform and the support comprises a telescoping member
mounted on the platform for extending and retracting relative to
the platform to adjust the support for receiving elongate panels of
different lengths.
10. A material handler as set forth in claim 9 wherein the base
further comprises another telescoping member mounted on the
platform for extending and retracting relative to the platform to
adjust the support for receiving elongate panels of different
lengths, the telescoping members being arranged on the platform to
extend in different directions.
11. A material handler as set forth in claim 10 wherein each
telescoping member mounts a plurality of the support arms
thereon.
12. A material handler as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
retainer located at an end of the support for holding the elongate
panels, when held by the support in a tilted position, from sliding
in one direction off of the support.
13. A material handler as set forth in claim 12 wherein the
retainer is pivotally mounted on the support for movement between a
retaining position and a non-retaining position.
14. A material handler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mover
comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
15. A material handler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base is
adapted for releasable connection to the self-propelled
machine.
16. A material handler as set forth in claim 1 in combination with
the self-propelled machine.
17. A method of sheathing a pitched roof on a structure using
elongate panels of sheet material having a length and a width, the
method comprising: loading a plurality of elongate sheet material
panels onto a support, the panels lying in a stack on the support;
raising the support to a height corresponding to that of the
pitched roof to be sheathed; tilting the support to an angle such
that the sheet material panels held by the support are inclined
along their lengths; sliding sheet material panels lengthwise from
the stack on the tilted support onto the structure and securing
them to the structure for sheathing the pitched roof.
18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein tilting the support
comprises tilting the support to an angle corresponding to a pitch
angle of the pitched roof to be constructed.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising arranging
the support so that the support is next to the structure and a
longitudinal axis of the sheet material panels extends transversely
to the structure.
20. A method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the support is
attached to a forklift, and wherein raising the support comprises
extending a telescoping boom of the forklift.
21. A method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising attaching
the support to a forklift.
22. A method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising adjusting
the width of the support for holding sheet material panels of
different widths.
23. A method as set forth in claim 22 further comprising adjusting
the length of the support for holding sheet material panels of
different lengths.
24. A material handler for use by a self-propelled machine to
handle elongate panels of sheet material, each elongate sheet
having a length and a width, the material handler comprising a base
adapted for connection to the self-propelled machine and a support
adapted to receive and support the elongate panels, the support
being adjustable relative to the base in a direction to accommodate
elongate panels of different widths.
25. A material handler as set forth in claim 24 the support
comprises plural support arms spaced apart from each other, each
support arm having an adjustable length for accommodating elongate
panels of different widths.
26. A material handler as set forth in claim 25 wherein the support
is adjustable for receiving elongate panels of different
lengths.
27. A material handler as set forth in claim 26 wherein the base
comprises a platform and the support comprises a telescoping member
mounted on the platform for extending and retracting relative to
the platform to adjust the support for receiving elongate panels of
different lengths.
28. A material handler as set forth in claim 27 wherein the base
further comprises another telescoping member mounted on the
platform for extending and retracting relative to the platform to
adjust the support for receiving elongate panels of different
lengths, the telescoping members being arranged on the platform to
extend in different directions.
29. A material handler as set forth in claim 28 wherein each
telescoping member mounts a plurality of the support arms thereon.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to material handlers, and in
particular to material handlers for use by self-propelled machines
to handle elongate panels of sheet material.
[0002] In the roofing industry, as well as other industries, it is
common to use elongate panels of sheet material at elevated
heights. For example, many industrial and commercial buildings have
roofs constructed of corrugated roofing panels. These panels, which
are commonly made from steel, aluminum, or copper, can be made into
any shape and size to accommodate the dimensions and configuration
of the roof. Typically, roofing panels are made relatively large to
reduce the number of panels that need to manufactured, purchased,
transported, and installed. As a result, it is common for metal
roofing panels to have widths ranging from about 2 feet to about 4
feet and length ranging from about 3 feet and about 50 feet. It is
also common for each panel to weigh between about 1 pound and about
3 pounds per square foot. By way of example, a panel being 3 foot
wide by 20 foot long and weighing 2 pounds per square foot would
weigh about 120 pounds.
[0003] Commonly, roofing panels are packaged during the
manufacturing process in bundled stacks containing numerous panels.
As can be appreciated, these bundles weigh a considerable amount.
Accordingly, machinery (e.g., forklifts, trucks), is typically used
to move the bundle of panels from the manufacturer to any
intermediate locations (i.e., warehouse, retail store) and finally
to a job site, were the panels can be used. At the job site, the
bundle (or numerous bundles) of panels is typically placed on the
ground. Individual panels are then separated from the bundle and
manually transported to the roof of the building were they can be
secured to framing members (e.g., roof trusses) of the building.
Manually transporting each panel to the roof is both time consuming
and labor intensive because of the weight and size of each panel,
and the height to which the panel needs to be transported.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A material handler of the present invention is for use by a
self-propelled machine to handle elongate panels of sheet material.
The material handler generally comprises a support adapted to
receive and support the elongate panels. A base mounts the support
for pivotal movement of the support relative to the base about a
tilt axis which is transverse to the length of the elongate panels
when held on the support. The base is adapted for connection to the
self-propelled machine. A mover drives the pivotal movement of the
support relative to the base to selectively tilt the support about
the tilt axis so that when the elongate sheets are held by the
support, the elongate sheets assume a desired slope along their
lengths.
[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of
sheathing a pitched roof on a structure using elongate panels of
sheet material having a length and a width. The method generally
comprises loading a plurality of elongate sheet material panels
onto a support. The panels lie in a stack on the support. The
method also includes raising the support to a height corresponding
to that of the pitched roof to be sheathed, and tilting the support
to an angle such that the sheet material panels held by the support
are inclined along their lengths. In addition, the method includes
sliding sheet material panels lengthwise from the stack on the
tilted support onto the structure and securing them to the
structure for sheathing the pitched roof.
[0006] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a material
handler can be used by a self-propelled machine to handle elongate
panels of sheet material. Each elongate sheet has a length and a
width. The material handler generally comprises a base adapted for
connection to the self-propelled machine and a support adapted to
receive and support the elongate panels. The support is adjustable
relative to the base in a direction to accommodate elongate panels
of different widths.
[0007] Other objects and features of the present invention will be
in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a material handler of
the present invention attached to a telehandler and used to support
elongate roofing panels adjacent a building under construction;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the material handler;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the material handler;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the material handler with a
portion of a beam cut away;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a section of the material handler taken along line
5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of the material handler;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective of the material handler showing a
support disconnected from a base;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective of the material handler showing
support arms in a fully extended position;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective of the material handler showing two
telescopic beams fully extended and tilted; and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the material handler showing the
two telescopic beams fully extended and in a generally horizontal
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a
material handler of the present invention is indicated generally at
1. As illustrated, the handler 1 is connected to a telehandler T
(broadly, "self-propelled machine") and holds a stack of corrugated
roofing panels P. A telehandler is a type of forklift having an
extensible boom. As a result, the telehandler T can be used to lift
the panels P supported by the material handler 1 to adjacent a roof
(generally indicated at R) of a building B under construction. The
material handler 1 can pivot about a tilt axis TA (FIG. 2)
transverse to the length of the elongate panels P to position the
roofing panels at an angle matching the pitch of the roof R. The
pitch of roof R is the amount of vertical rise in the roof per
horizontal run, which can also be expressed as an angle a formed
between the roof R and a horizontal plane which intersects the apex
of the roof. The roofing panels P then can be removed from the
material handler 1 as needed, and secured to the roof R in the
desired location. Thus, a considerable amount of time and labor
costs are saved as compared to manually transporting the roofing
panels P one at a time to roof level, as is commonly done. It is
understood that the material handler 1 can be used with other types
of elongated panels of sheet material besides roofing materials
without departing from the scope of this invention. It is further
understood that the self-propelled machine could be a forklift or
even some other machine that does not perform a lifting function
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is
also envisioned that the material handler 1 could be attached to
supporting structure that is not self-propelled.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the material handler 1 comprises
a support, generally indicated at 3, and a base, generally
indicated at 5, mounting the support. The support 3 comprises two
telescopic beams, which are indicated at 7, and eight, spaced-apart
support arms 9 attached to the beams for receiving and supporting
roofing panels. The two telescopic beams 7 extend generally
parallel to a longitudinal axis LA of the material handler 1 and in
opposite directions. Each beam 7 comprises a series of (i.e., four)
beam elements 11A-11D formed from structural tubing having
progressively smaller cross sections so that the beam elements with
smaller cross sections can be telescopically received in the beam
elements with larger cross sections (FIGS. 5 and 6). Each of the
beam elements 11A-11D are adapted for selective positioning between
a retracted position (FIG. 2), in which the smaller beam element is
substantially received within the adjacent larger beam element, and
an extended position (FIG. 10), in which the smaller beam element
is extended from the adjacent larger beam element. In the
illustrated embodiment, the length of the support 3 extends from
approximately 8 feet when all of the beam elements 11A-11D are
fully retracted to approximately 43 feet when the beam elements are
fully extended. The dimensions of the support 3 are provided for
exemplary purposes only and can be different from those listed
herein. It is understood that the material handler 1 could comprise
a single beam 7 or more beams without departing from the scope of
this invention. It is also understood that the beams 7 could have
more or fewer beam elements 11A-11D.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, each telescopic beam 7 comprises four
beam elements 11A-11D, each with a different cross sectional area.
Three of the beam elements 11B-11D are telescopically received in
the other, larger beam elements 11A. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and
10, the three, telescopically received beam elements 11B-11D have a
plurality of holes 13 located at spaced intervals generally along
the lengths of the beam elements. The beam elements 11A with the
larger cross sections have a single hole 13. To secure the beam
elements 11A-11D at the desired length, the holes 13 of adjacent
beam elements are aligned and pins 15 are inserted therethrough. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the holes 13 in the beam elements 11A-11B
can be aligned so that in the retracted position a single pin 15
can be used to secure all of the beam elements of a single beam 7.
To extend the length of the beam 7, the pin 15 is removed and the
beam elements 11A-11D with smaller cross sections can be slid in a
longitudinal direction to the desired length. As illustrated in
FIG. 9, three pins 15 can be used to fix adjacent beam elements
11A-11D of a single beam 7 together in a fully extended position.
Since the beam elements with smaller cross sections have a
plurality of holes, the length of the support 3 can also be
extended to positions between the fully extended position and the
fully retracted position to accommodate panels of sheeting material
having different lengths. It is understood that the beam elements
11A-11D may include more or fewer holes 13 to vary the possible
longitudinal lengths to which the beams 7 can be extended.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, sleeves, which are make of
nylon, are used to centrally maintain the portions of the beam
elements 11B-11D having smaller cross sections with respect to the
beam elements having larger cross sections in which they are
received. The sleeves comprise a first sleeve section 67, which is
attached to the inside surface of one of the beam element 11A-11C
that receives a smaller beam element, and a second sleeve section
69 is attached to the outside surface of the smaller beam element
11B-11D. Both of the sleeve sections 67, 69 are attached adjacent
the end of the respective beam element 11A-11D such that when the
beam elements are in a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 5,
the sleeve sections are spaced from each other to adequately
support the smaller beam element at both ends. FIG. 4 shows a
portion of the largest beam element 11A cut away to expose the
first sleeve section 67 attached to the inside surface thereof, and
the second sleeve section 69 attached to the outside surface of the
adjacent beam element 11B, which is received in largest beam
element. In addition, the sleeves sections 67, 69 provide a smooth
surface for sliding the beam elements 11B-11D with respect to each
other, and act as a stop to prevent the smaller beam element from
sliding out of the larger beam element when the beam elements are
moved to the extended position.
[0022] As mentioned above, the support 3 also comprises a number of
support arms 9, which are attached to the longitudinally extending
beams 7 by brackets 19. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, a total of eight
support arms 9 are attached to the beams 7. Two support arms 9 are
attached to the beam elements 11A with the largest cross section
and one support arm to each of the other beam elements. The support
arms 9 are centered about the longitudinal axis LA of the material
handler 1 to accommodate and support elongate roofing panels. Since
the beams 7 are spaced from and extend generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis LA of the material handler 1, one end of the
support arms 9 is spaced further from the beam 7 than the other end
of the support arm to center the load over the longitudinal axis LA
of the material handler 1. The support arms collectively align to
define a planer surface generally in a horizontal plane for
receiving the roofing panels.
[0023] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the support arms 9 attached
to the beam elements 11B-11D with smaller cross sections have
taller brackets 19 to compensate for the reduced height of the beam
element so that all of the support arms lie in generally the same
horizontal plane. The brackets 19, which are generally channel
shaped in cross section, are attached to the beam elements 11B-11D
using fasteners (i.e., bolts) and to the support arms 9 by
welding.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 8, each of the support arms 9 has a fixed
central portion 23, a forward extending portion 25, and a rearward
extending portion 27 to thereby allow the length of the arms to be
selectively positioned for accommodating elongate panels of
different widths. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the
support arms 9 can be selectively changed from about 28 inches
(FIG. 3) to about 56 inches (FIG. 9). The support arms 9 are formed
from tubular steel having a generally square cross section. The
central portions 23 of the support arms are fixed (e.g., welded) to
either the beam elements 11A or the brackets 19. The extending
portions 25, 27 have slightly smaller cross sections than the fixed
portions 23 such that the extending portions can be telescopically
received in the fixed portion. Each of the fixed portions 23
include a hole 26 positioned adjacent each end for aligning with
one of a plurality of holes 28 in the extending portions 25, 27
(FIG. 8). The extending portions 25, 27 have holes positioned
approximately every 2 inches along its length to provide numerous
lengths at which the support arms 9 can be positioned. Pins 30 are
selectively insertable into the holes 26, 28 after they are aligned
to secure the extending portions 25, 27 with respect to the fixed
portions 23. In addition, each of the extending portions 25, 27 can
be removed from the fixed portion, which may be advantageous when
loading panels P onto the support 3. It understood that the
extending portions 25, 27 and/or the fixed portions 23 can have
more or fewer holes. It is also understood that the extending
portions may be selectively secured to the fixed portions 23 using
devices besides pins.
[0025] Each of the support arms 9 further comprises upwardly
extending flanges 29 attached to each end of the support arms. The
flanges 29, which are generally rectangular shaped pieces of metal,
are adapted to engage opposite side edges of the panels positioned
on the support 3 to thereby prevent the panels from sliding off of
the support. It is understood that the support arms 9 may be
selectively positionable between lengths different from those
provided herein or have a fixed length without departing from the
scope of this invention. It is also understood that the support 3
could have more or fewer support arms 9 than disclosed herein.
[0026] A retainer 32 is located at one end of the support 3 for
holding the elongate panels, when positioned on the support in a
tilted position, from sliding off of the support. The retainer is
pivotally mounted on the central portion 23 of the support arm 9
for movement between a retaining position and a non-retaining
position. It is understood that the support arms 9 positioned at
the end of both beams 7 could have retainers. It is also understood
that the retainer may be fixed in the retaining position.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the base 5, which underlies the
support 3, comprises a first fork tube 33 and a second fork tube 35
spaced from the first fork tube. Each of the fork tubes 33, 35 is
made of rigid structural tubing, such as steel tubing having a
generally rectangular cross section, that is sized and shaped for
allowing forks (not shown) of the telehandler T to slide in and out
of the fork tubes. The illustrated fork tubes 33, 35 are adapted
for receiving forks having a width of about 4 inches and a
thickness of about 1.8 inches. In addition, the fork tubes 33, 35
are slightly shorter than the length of the forks on the
telehandler T. As a result, pins can be inserted through apertures
adjacent the ends of the forks to secure the material handler 1 to
the telehandler T. It is understood that the fork tubes 33, 35 may
have other shapes and sizes to accommodate various sizes of forks.
It is also understood that the material handler 1 can be attached
to the telehandler T, other types of self-propelled machines, or
supporting structures using other suitable attachment means besides
forks.
[0028] Two spacer members 37, made of square steel tubing are
welded to and span between the fork tubes 33, 35. One of the spacer
members 37 is aligned generally with rear edge margins of the fork
tubes 33, 35 while another spacer member is aligned generally with
the front edge margins of the fork tubes. Four frame members 39 are
securely attached (i.e., by welding) to the top of the fork tubes
33, 35 and spacer members 37 to form a rectangular frame, indicated
generally at 41. The outwardly facing surfaces of the frame members
39 are generally coplanar with the outwardly facing surfaces of the
fork tubes 33, 35 and the spacer members 37. It is understood that
the base 5 can have more or fewer spacer members 37, or the fork
tubes 33, 35 and the spacer members can be formed from as one
piece.
[0029] A platform, indicated generally at 43, is pivotally mounted
on the frame 41 of the base 5. The platform 43 includes three
rigid, structural tubes 45, such as steel tubing having a square
cross section. Two of the tubes 45 extend generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis LA of the material handler 1 and are spaced
outwardly an equidistance from the axis in a forward and a rearward
direction. The other tube 45 extends between and is attached to the
two parallel tubes such that the three attached tubes from a
generally U-shaped structure. The platform 43 further comprises a
rod 49 extending between and attached to the two parallel tubes 45.
The rod 49 is positioned adjacent the ends of the parallel tubes,
spaced from the transverse tube. It is contemplated that the
platform 43 can have other configurations, such as being a unitary
structure or comprising more or fewer structural tubes 45.
[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the material handler 1
further comprises a hinge 51 and linkage, generally indicated at
53, connecting the frame 41 of the base 5 to the platform 43. The
hinge 51, which is located along a first side of the base 5, forms
a pivot on which the platform 43 can rotate with respect to the
frame 41 of the base 5. The hinge 51 comprises a pair of knuckles
(only one is shown) welded to the frame 41 of the base 5 and a
knuckle welded to the platform 43. Each of the knuckles has an
opening for receiving a hinge pin 52.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 7, the linkage 53, which is located
along a second side of the base, opposite the first side, is
adapted to extend and retract in conjunction with the pivotal
movement of the platform 43 on the hinge 51. The linkage 53
comprises two pairs of links. Each pair of links has an upper link
55 and a lower link 57. The upper link 55 is pivotally mounted at
one end on the rod 49 of the platform 43 and on the lower link 57
at its opposite end. The lower link 57 is pivotally mounted at its
end opposite the upper link 55 on the frame 41 of the base 5.
Accordingly, the linkage 53 moves from a collapsed position when
the platform 43 is positioned generally horizontal with respect to
the frame 41 to a raised position (FIG. 7) when the platform is
tilted about the tilt axis TA.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the platform 43 is attached as by
welding to the telescoping beams 7 by two tubular framing members
59. Each of the tubular framing members are attached to both beams
7 to thereby attach the base 5 to the support 3. Thus, movement of
the platform 43 about the tilt axis TA results in the support 3
also moving about the tilt axis. A hydraulic cylinder (broadly, "a
mover"), which is indicated at 61, is used to drive the pivotal
movement of the support 3 relative to the frame 41. The hydraulic
cylinder 61 includes a piston rod 65 that can extend and retract in
a conventional manner. The hydraulic cylinder 61 is in fluid
communication with the hydraulic system of the telehandler T via
hoses (not shown). Thus, the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 61
can be controlled using controls positioned on the telehandler T,
as is know in the art. The support 3 can be pivoted with respect to
the frame 41 manually or using other types of driving mechanisms
without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0033] The hydraulic cylinder 61 is pivotally secured to the frame
41 of the base 5 and the piston rod 65 is pivotally secured to a
plate 47 mounted, such as by welding, to the underside of the beam
elements 11A (FIG. 3). As a result, the support 3, which is affixed
to the platform 43 of the base 5, can be pivoted with respect to
the base by extension or retraction of the piston rod 65 with
respect to the housing 63 by operating the telehandler's hydraulic
system. As shown, the support 3 is moveable using the hydraulic
cylinder 61 from a generally horizontal position (FIG. 10) to a 45
degree slope (FIG. 9) with respect to the base. The support 3 can
be pivoted to substantially any angle within the range. It is
contemplated that the range in which the support 3 can be pivoted
with respect to the frame 41 of the base 5 can be larger or smaller
than the illustrated configuration. Using the controls for the
telehandler's hydraulic system, a telehandler operator can
selectively tilt the support 3 about the tilt axis TA to place the
roofing panels in a desired slope along their lengths. Thus,
roofing panels supported by the support can be positioned and
maintained at slope about equal to the pitch of the roof (FIG.
1).
[0034] In operation, the material handler 1 can be used to sheath a
pitched roof on a structure using elongate panels of sheet material
having a length and a width. The material handler 1 is placed on a
smooth, firm surface. Each of the support arms 9 and telescopic
beams 7 are adjusted as needed for accommodating the length and
width of the selected panel. The support arms 9 are adjusted to
accommodate the width of the panels by moving the forward and
rearward portions 25, 27 of the support arm with respect to the
central portion 23. The length of the panels is accommodated by
adjusting the length of the telescopic beams 7. To change the
length of the beam 7, the pin 15 is removed and the beam elements
11B-11D with smaller cross sections are slid in a longitudinal
direction to the desired length. To secure the beam elements
11B-11D at the desired length, the holes 13 of adjacent beam
elements are aligned and the pins are inserted therethrough. Using
the telehandler T (or other suitable machinery), a plurality of
elongate sheet material panels, such as a bundle, are picked up and
loaded onto a support. The panels are positioned on the support
such that they lie in a stack.
[0035] The forks of the telehandler T are then inserted into two
fork tubes 33, 35 thereby connecting the material handler 1 to the
telehandler T. Pins are inserted into apertures adjacent the distal
ends of the forks to secure the handler to the telehandler.
Hydraulic hoses from the hydraulic cylinder are connected to the
telehandler. After the panels have been positioned on the material
handler 1 and the material handler has been securely attached to
the telehandler, the telehandler operator uses the controls to
actuate the extensible boom of the telehandler to raise the
material handler and move it and stack of panels to a desired
location. The panels on the support 3 are positioned so that the
support is next to the structure and the longitudinal axis LA of
the sheet material panels extends transversely to the structure.
The operator of the telehandler can use the telescoping boom of the
telehandler to raise the material handler 1 to a height
corresponding to that of the pitched roof to be sheathed. Next, the
operator can tilt the support 3 of the material handler 1 to an
angle corresponding to a pitch angle of the pitched roof to be
constructed such that the sheet material panels are inclined along
their lengths. As a result, the panels can be easily slid
lengthwise from the stack on the tilted support onto the structure
by roofers on the roof. The roofers can then securing the panels to
the structure thereby sheathing the pitched roof.
[0036] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0037] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
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