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EP-4737383-A1 - APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

EP4737383A1EP 4737383 A1EP4737383 A1EP 4737383A1EP-4737383-A1

Abstract

An apparatus (201) for installing construction materials (107), such as pipework, in a substantially vertical orientation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate mounting post (202) configured to be attached to a mobile elevated work platform (101) and a head bracket (203) configured to support the construction material. The head bracket is attached to the elongate mounting post and comprises a rotating mechanism (206) configured to rotate the head bracket from a first position, in which the construction material is held in a substantially horizontal position for loading and a second position, in which the construction material is held in a substantially vertical position for installation. A locking pin (405) is configured to lock the head bracket into the first position or the second position.

Inventors

  • MCCORMICK, Zac

Assignees

  • West Siphonics Systems Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241104

Claims (15)

  1. Apparatus (201) for installing construction materials ( 107 ), such as pipework, in a substantially vertical orientation, comprising: an elongate mounting post ( 202 ) configured to be attached to a mobile elevated work platform ( 101 ); and a head bracket ( 203 ) configured to support said construction material; wherein said head bracket is attached to said elongate mounting post and comprises a rotating mechanism ( 206 ) configured to rotate said head bracket from a first position, in which said construction material is held in a substantially horizontal position for loading and a second position, in which said construction material is held in a substantially vertical position for installation; and said apparatus further comprising a locking pin ( 405 ) configured to lock said head bracket into said first position or said second position.
  2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate mounting post comprises a plurality of holes ( 209 ) configured to receive said rotating mechanism to enable height adjustment of said head bracket.
  3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a securing mechanism ( 304 ) configured to secure said rotating mechanism to said elongate mounting post.
  4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said securing mechanism comprises a second locking pin ( 305 ) configured to co-operate with each said plurality of holes.
  5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second locking pin comprises a safety chain ( 306 ).
  6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said construction material is any one of the following: drainage pipework; siphonic pipework; ducting; cable trays; sprinkler bends.
  7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said rotating mechanism is rotatable up to six degrees of freedom.
  8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a strap ( 602 ) for securing said construction material in said head bracket.
  9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said rotating mechanism is configured to move said head bracket into a storage position in which said head bracket is aligned against said elongate mounting post.
  10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said head bracket comprises a pair of jaws ( 207 ) configured to receive said construction material.
  11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each said pair of jaws comprises a serrated edge ( 208 ).
  12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one attachment bracket ( 205 ) configured to connect said apparatus to a mobile elevated work platform.
  13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a base support plate ( 210 ) at an end of said elongate mounting post.
  14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a substantially metallic material, comprising at least one of the following: mild steel; aluminium; titanium.
  15. A mobile elevated working platform ( 101 ) comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for installing construction materials, such as pipework, in a substantially vertical orientation, and a mobile elevated working platform comprising such an apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs) are commonly used to allow operatives to access required areas in construction and warehouse environments. Suitable MEWPs include cherry pickers and scissor lifts, which typically comprise a powered machine and a platform, usually a basket in which an operative stands. The MEWP is configured to be moved to different heights or areas by means of the powered machine. When using MEWPs, it is often necessary to include material handling equipment thereby allowing operatives to transport or place building or working materials to the required area on the worksite. In the field of siphonic drainage systems, MEWPs are used to allow operatives to fit drainage pipes at both horizontal and vertical angles within a siphonic drainage system. Material handling equipment is sometimes provided for mounting materials horizontally, and this provides a support mounted within the basket of the MEWP. In contrast, when fixing drainage pipes or other materials in a substantially vertical orientation, an operative may fix a drainage pipe for fitting to the side of the basket of the MEWP, usually using a temporary strap or rope to hold the pipe in place. This arrangement means that pipes of lengths of over one metre are raised using the MEWP with a makeshift temporary strap. Consequently, the pipes are not always completely secure and move around. In particular, when raising pipes at height, the pipe pulls on the basket due to wind resistance on the basket and the trailing pipe. There remains a need for a safer system and appropriate material handling equipment that assists the operative in fitting materials and securely attaches any supported materials without unnecessary additional risk. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for installing construction materials, such as pipework, in a substantially vertical orientation, comprising: an elongate mounting post configured to be attached to a mobile elevated work platform; and a head bracket configured to support said construction material; wherein said head bracket is attached to said elongate mounting post and comprises a rotating mechanism configured to rotate said head bracket from a first position, in which said construction material is held in a substantially horizontal position for loading and a second position, in which said construction material is held in a substantially vertical position for installation; and said apparatus further comprising a locking pin configured to lock said head bracket into said first position or said second position. Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an operative in a mobile elevated work platform handling pipework;Figure 2 shows an apparatus for installing construction materials;Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 2;Figure 4 shows a rotating mechanism of the apparatus of Figures 2 and 3 in isolation;Figure 5 shows a securing mechanism for securing the rotating mechanism to the elongate mounting post;Figure 6 shows the apparatus for installing construction materials fitted to a basket of a mobile elevated work platform in a storage position;Figure 7 shows the apparatus for installing construction materials in a first, loading, position;Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the apparatus in a loading position including a pipe;Figure 9 shows the apparatus for installing construction materials raising a pipe; andFigure 10 shows a schematic view of the apparatus in a second, installation, position including a pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 A typical scenario in which an operative utilises a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP) to install a construction material is shown in Figure 1. Mobile elevated work platform 101 is shown in this embodiment in the form of a cherry picker. Cherry picker 101 comprises a machine 102 and a boom 103 attached to a basket 104 which is configured to support an operative 105 during installat