U.S. patent application number 13/859689 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for panel jack.
The applicant listed for this patent is Russell Stewart. Invention is credited to Russell Stewart.
Application Number | 20130264531 13/859689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49291575 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130264531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Russell |
October 10, 2013 |
PANEL JACK
Abstract
A panel jack includes a clamp with opposing jaws spaced apart
upon a frame or bar, and a jack mounted onto the clamp at the base
of the jack, the shaft or piston of the jack attached to an
elongated brace. The brace may turn about the longitudinal axis of
the jack and the jack may turn about the longitudinal axis of the
clamp in order for the device to be folded into either a storage
position or operational position. When in use, the longitudinal
axis of the brace is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
jack and the jack is attached proximate to the center of the brace
so that force exerted by the jack upon the brace may be distributed
generally evenly along the length of the brace.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Russell; (Blue
Springs, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stewart; Russell |
Blue Springs |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49291575 |
Appl. No.: |
13/859689 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61621702 |
Apr 9, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
254/133R |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 21/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
254/133.R |
International
Class: |
E04F 21/18 20060101
E04F021/18 |
Claims
1. A panel jack comprising: a clamp including an elongated frame
having a first longitudinal axis, a proximate end and a distal end
spaced apart from one another along said first longitudinal axis, a
proximate jaw attached to said proximate end and a distal jaw
attached to said distal end, said jaws spaced apart upon said frame
a sufficient distance to receive a structural support member, a
jack having a second longitudinal axis, a base and a shaft, said
shaft substantially parallel to said second longitudinal axis, said
jack attached at said base thereof to said proximate end of said
clamp, said shaft attached to an elongated brace having a third
longitudinal axis, whereby said clamp may be removably attached to
said structural support member and said shaft may be extended to
push said brace against a structural panel to move said structural
panel along said structural support member.
2. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein the third longitudinal axis
of said brace is substantially perpendicular to the second
longitudinal axis of said jack and to the first longitudinal axis
of said clamp.
3. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein said jack is attached
proximate to the center of said brace so that force exerted by said
jack upon said brace is distributed along the length of said
brace.
4. A panel jack as in claim 1, including a first axis of rotation
about said first longitudinal axis and a second axis of rotation
about said second longitudinal axis.
5. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein said brace includes contours
that mate with the contours of an edge of said structural panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the prior filed,
co-pending provisional application, Ser. No. 61/621,702, filed Apr.
9, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to devices for moving
structural panels, namely, a device for moving a structural panel
relative to and along a substructure such as a structural support
member.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Structural, laminated, construction panels for cladding the
exterior of building structures are known in the prior art. Such
structural panels typically comprise a rigid core of expanded
polymeric material, such as fire resistant expanded polystyrene,
sandwiched between outer surfaces comprising thermoplastic and/or
composite fiber glass sheets adhered to the core via an adhesive
film. Structural panels may be laminated in a continuous process
and, therefore, may have practically any desired length. Typically,
structural panels vary from about 8 to 30 feet in length from about
3 to 12 feet wide. The overall thickness of the panel may vary from
about 3 to 12 inches. Structural panels are typically attached to
structural support beams, such as C-beams, using fasteners not
shown herein but known to a person skilled in the art. The panels
are typically attached side by side to one another with the edges
of each panel formed to interlock or conform to the edges of
adjoining panels. Typically, mating edges comprise male or female
coupling members such as mating ridges and grooves.
[0006] Structural panels with lengths sufficient to span multiple
floors frequently require the use of special handling equipment,
such as cranes, due to the considerable weight and size of each
panel. When placing panels of this size, it is difficult and time
consuming to align one panel to the next and to bring a new panel
into full engagement with a previously installed panel. What is
need is a device and method for pressing a new panel into
engagement with a previously installed panel and to hold the new
panel securely in place until the panel may be permanently secured
to a structural support member, such as a structural support
beam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for
moving structural panels relative to a structural support member. A
panel jack may comprise a clamp with opposing jaws spaced apart
upon a frame or bar, a jack, such as a ball screw jack, one end
attached to the clamp, the other end attached to an elongated
brace. The longitudinal axis of the brace is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the jack and the jack is attached proximate to
the center of the brace so that force exerted by the jack upon the
brace may be distributed generally evenly along the length of the
brace.
[0008] The panel jack is typically used by first positioning a
second structural panel adjacent to a previously installed first
structural panel so that a first longitudinal edge of the second
structural panel is parallel to and in close proximity to a mating
edge of the first structural panel. The panel jack is positioned
proximate a second longitudinal edge of the second structural panel
distal to the first structural panel, and the clamp portion of the
panel jack is attached to a nearby structural support member so
that the brace portion faces the second longitudinal edge.
Preferably, the face of the brace has been formed to include
contours that mate with the contours of the second longitudinal
edge. The panel jack is positioned toward the second structural
panel until the face of the brace lies against the second
longitudinal edge. The clamping screws of the clamp portion are
then tightened to firmly but removably attach the clamp to the
structural support member.
[0009] The jack portion includes a means for extending a shaft or
piston from the jack housing. In the case of a ball screw jack, the
shaft is extended or retracted by turning a worm screw positioned
generally transverse to the ball screw that drives the shaft. The
worm screw may have a head for receiving a socket that is attached
to a rotational power source, such as a drill or power
screwdriver.
[0010] The worm screw is turned in the appropriate direction to
drive the shaft outward from the jack housing, thereby pushing the
brace against the second longitudinal edge, thereby pushing the
second structural panel against the first structural panel to cause
the first longitudinal edge to contact and engage the mating edge.
In the case of elongated structural panels, this operation may be
repeated at several locations along the length of the panels,
wherever a structural support member is located proximate a portion
of the second longitudinal edge.
[0011] Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example
an embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel
jack in accordance with the present invention shown in a folded
configuration for transport or storage and showing one side of the
jack and clamp.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel
jack in accordance with the present invention shown in a folded
configuration for transport or storage and showing the opposite
side of the jack and clamp.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel
jack in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a panel jack installed
upon a structural support member and with the brace positioned
against the edge of a structural panel.
[0016] FIG. 4a is an environmental view of a panel jack installed
upon a structural support member and with the brace positioned
against the edge of a structural panel.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a panel jack installed
upon a structural support member and with the contoured face of the
brace positioned against the matching contoured edge of a
structural panel.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side, diagrammatic view showing two panel jacks,
each clamped to a separate structural support member, and each
positioned to push a second structural panel rightward to abut a
first structural panel.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel jack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention
is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0021] With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an
embodiment of a panel jack 100 for moving structural panels
relative to a structural support member. The panel jack 100
includes a clamp 105, a jack 110 attached to the clamp 105, and an
elongated brace 115 attached to the jack 110, so that by operation
of the jack 110 the brace 115 may be moved toward or away from the
clamp 105. The clamp 105 typically includes a first jaw 120 and a
second jaw 125, the jaws opposed to one another and spaced apart
upon a frame 129, which may comprise a bar, pipe or other
elongated, rigid structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the
frame 129 comprises an elongated frame collar 130 welded or
otherwise attached to an elongated frame panel 131. The jaws 120
and 125 are fixed upon the frame 130 at a distance that slightly
exceeds that of the relevant dimension (e.g. horizontal width) of
the structural support member 135 to which the clamp 105 is to be
attached. In alternative embodiments, an adjustable frame 130 may
be used to accommodate structural support members of other
dimensions by providing means for one or both jaws 120, 125 to
slide upon the frame 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the first jaw 120 is
provided with two clamping screws 140 and 145 as means for
tightening the clamp 105. A foot 140a and 145a is provided at the
end of each clamping screw 140, 145 to directly engage the surface
to be clamped between the jaws 120 and 125. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a
panel jack 100 installed upon a structural support member 135, in
this case a C-beam 135. To securely fasten the clamp 105, the
clamping screws 140 and 145 are tightened against the side of the
C-beam 135 facing the viewer after the brace 115 is positioned
against the panel 150.
[0022] One end of the jack 110 (such as a ball screw jack) is
attached to the clamp 105 the other end attached to the elongated
brace 115. The longitudinal axis of the brace 115 is perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the jack 110 and the jack is attached
proximate to the center of the brace 115 so that force exerted by
the jack 110 upon the brace 115 may be distributed along the length
of the brace 115. Typically, the extendable shaft 155 of the jack
110 is mounted or attached to the brace 115 via a pivotable bracket
160 so that the bracket 160 and attached brace 115 may turn or
pivot about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 155.
[0023] The jack 110 is mounted to a collar 165 that rotates about
the elongated shaft 170 of the frame 130. The collar 165 may be
locked in position relative to the frame shaft 170 by tightening
set screw 175, which is in threaded engagement with the collar 165.
When the set screw 175 is tightened sufficiently it impinges upon
the frame shaft 170 to frictionally engage the frame shaft 170 and
cause the collar 165 to resist turning or rotation relative to the
frame shaft 170.
[0024] The panel jack 100 is typically used by positioning a second
structural panel 150b adjacent to a previously installed first
structural panel 150a so that a first longitudinal edge 151 of the
second structural panel 150b is parallel to and in close proximity
to a mating edge 152 of the first structural panel 150a. The panel
jack 100 is positioned proximate a second longitudinal edge 153 of
the second structural panel distal to the first structural panel,
and the clamp portion 105 of the panel jack 100 is attached to a
nearby structural support member 135 so that the brace portion 115
faces and contacts the second longitudinal edge 153. Preferably,
the face 115a of the brace 115 has been formed to have contours
that mate with the contours of the second longitudinal edge 153.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the face 115a includes a first
wall 190a and parallel second wall 190b spaced apart from one
another to form a channel 185 running between the walls 190a and
190b. As shown in FIG. 5, the channel 185 is sized to receive and
engage a ridge 153a that is formed in, and projects laterally from,
the second longitudinal edge 153. The panel jack 100 is positioned
toward the second structural panel 150b until the face 115a of the
brace lies against the second longitudinal edge 153 and the
contours in the face 115a and edge 153 align, mate or engage. The
clamping screws 140 and 145 are then tightened to firmly but
removably attach the clamp 105 to the structural support member
135.
[0025] The jack 110 includes a means for extending the shaft 155
from the jack housing. In the case of a ball screw jack, the shaft
155 is typically extended or retracted by turning a worm screw 180
positioned generally transverse to the ball screw that drives the
shaft 155. The worm screw 180 may have a head for receiving a
socket that is attached to a rotational power source, such as a
drill or power screwdriver. FIG. 4a shows a wrench and extension
thereof 195 engaged with the head of the worm screw 180.
[0026] The worm screw 180 is turned in the appropriate direction to
drive the shaft 155 outward from the jack housing, thereby pushing
the brace 115 against the second longitudinal edge 153, thereby
pushing the second structural panel 150b against the first
structural panel 150a to cause the first longitudinal edge 151 to
contact and engage the mating edge 152. In the case of elongated
structural panels 150, this operation may be repeated at several
locations along the length of the panels, wherever a structural
support member 135 is located proximate a portion of the second
longitudinal edge 153, see the diagram in FIG. 6.
[0027] An embodiment of a panel jack 100 may include a means, such
as a clamp 105, for removably attaching the panel jack 100 to a
non-movable surface, and an extensible member, such as an
extendable shaft 155, for applying lateral force to a panel, such
as a structural panel 150 used for building construction. The
extensible member 155 is rotatable about the clamp 105 so that the
panel jack 100 may be folded for transport and storage. The
extensible member 155 terminates in an elongated brace 115 that may
be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the extensible member
155. The elongated brace 115, when in use, is disposed so that the
longitudinal axis of the brace 115 is generally perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the extensible member 155. The face 115a
of the brace 115 is contoured to mate with contours in the edge of
structural panels 150 with which the panel jack 100 is to be
engaged to facilitate lateral movement of the panels. The face 115a
may comprise a first wall 190a and a second wall 190b, arranged in
parallel to one another and with a space therebetween creating a
channel 185. Other contour elements may be used to match contours
in the edge of any panel 150. Through operation of the jack 110,
the extensible member 155 is extended thereby driving the brace 115
against the edge 153 and pushing the panel 150 along and across
adjoining or underlying structural support members 135 until the
panel 150 is in a desired position. As shown in FIG. 6, multiple
panel jacks 100 may be used along the edge 153 of one panel and
either used/operated concurrently or sequentially and in
intervals.
* * * * *