PRECAST LIGHTWEIGHT WALL PANEL INSTALLATION MACHINE

Abstract

A precast lightweight wall panel installation machine is capable for erection and installation of precast lightweight concrete wall panels. The machine includes a frame base holding the panel installation machine, a lifting frame for lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel for erection and installation and at least a side hydraulic jack for lifting and flipping the concrete wall panel from packing position onto cart. Safety catch fittings hold the concrete wall panel from slipping off. An electrically operated hydraulic power unit with operating switches provides automated hydraulic lift to the machine. Rear mounted wheels and front mounted casters ease movement of the panel installation machine from one location to another. A power source supplies energy to operate the machine. The machine further includes the lifting frame mounted with adjustable slots to slot in brackets for erection and installation of the concrete wall panel at higher level platform.

Claims

1. A precast lightweight wall panel installation machine for erection and installation comprising: a frame base for holding the panel installation machine; a lifting frame for lifting precast lightweight concrete wall panel to a vertical position for erection and installation, the lifting frame mounted with adjustable slots to slot in brackets for erection and installation of the precast lightweight concrete panel wall at a higher level platform, preferably kerbs; at least a side hydraulic jack for lifting and flipping the precast lightweight concrete wall panel from packing position onto cart; at least a pair of safety catch fitting for holding the precast lightweight concrete wall panel from slipping off; an electrically operated hydraulic power unit with operating switches to provide automated hydraulic lift to said machine; a pair of rear mounted wheels and a pair of front mounted casters to ease movement of the machine from one location to another; and a power source for supplying electric energy to operate the machine.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame base is movable apart from a static position.

3. (canceled)

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the lifting frame further comprises an extension supporter for handling longer precast lightweight concrete wall panel.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame base and the lifting frame are formed from steel.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the side hydraulic jack is disposed to receive the vertical stacked panel.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic jack is retractable to reduce size of the panel installation machine.

8. A precast lightweight wall panel installation machine for erection and installation comprising: a frame base for holding the panel installation machine; a lifting frame for lifting precast lightweight concrete wall panel to a vertical position for erection and installation; at least a side hydraulic jack for lifting and flipping the precast lightweight concrete wall panel from packing position onto cart; at least a pair of safety catch fitting for holding the precast lightweight concrete wall panel from slipping off; an electrically operated hydraulic power unit with operating switches to provide automated hydraulic lift to said machine, the hydraulic power unit operable wirelessly with a remote control; a pair of rear mounted wheels and a pair of front mounted casters to ease movement of the machine from one location to another; and a power source for supplying electric energy to operate the machine.

9. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the pairs of wheels are casters.

10. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the higher level platform is within range of 0.1 metres to 0.15 metres onto the Reinforce Concrete, RC kerbs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0021] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0022] To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1a illustrates the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1b is an example of lifting up and flipping the precast lightweight concrete wall panel prior to erection and installation operation.

[0025] FIG. 2a illustrates another embodiment of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c illustrate a further embodiment of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3a to FIG. 3f are diagrams illustrating different angles of the process of lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel for erection and installation.

[0028] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are diagrams illustrating the inclination angles of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine for erection and installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention relates to a precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) for erection and installation of precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106). In particular, the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) is capable for erection and installation of the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) at high level platform by utilizing lifting frame (102) mounted with adjustable slots(109). Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0030] The present invention enhances the efficiency and increases the installation concrete wall coverage at a much lower cost as well as reducing damage to concrete wall panels due to rough handling and stress during the lifting operation without proper mechanical means and sufficient support. Further, the cost of installation is reduced as the productivity and efficiency is increased with reduction in the number of workers required from 4 workers to just 2 workers.

[0031] Reference is first made to FIG. 1a which illustrates the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) is an inclined machine which comprises a frame base (101) for holding the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100), a lifting frame (102) for lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) for erection and installation, at least a side hydraulic jack (103) for lifting and flipping the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) from packing position onto cart, a Direct Current (DC) electric hydraulic power unit (110) with operating switches (104) for providing automatic hydraulic lift to the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100), and at least a power source (105) for supplying energy to operate the machine.

[0032] The present invention provides a pair of wheels (108) and a pair of casters (114) mounted at the front end and at the rear end of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) to ease movement from one location to another, an extension supporter (107) for handling long precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) and a pair of safety catch fitting (112) for holding the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) from slipping off. The pair of wheels (108) are alternatively casters (114).

[0033] The present invention further provides that the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) is mounted with adjustable slots (109) to slot in brackets (111) for erection and installation of the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) at high level platform. The concrete wall panel (106) may be installed up to the above of RC kerbs, plinths or higher platform.

[0034] Reference is now made to FIG. 1a which is provides an example of lifting and flipping the precast lightweight concrete wall panel for erection and installation operation. As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the bottom end of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) is positioned (116) on the lifting frame (102) on the right side and holds by the safety catch fitting (112) with the upper end being placed on the lifting frame (102) and further being held (118) by the safety catch fitting (112). Once the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) is laid horizontally on the lifting frame (102), the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) lifts up (120) the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) to the desired installation area by switching the operating switch.

[0035] Reference is now made to FIG. 2a which illustrates another embodiment of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2a, the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) is a retractable panel installation machine. The panel installation machine (200) of the present invention comprises of a frame base (201) for holding the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200), a lifting frame (202) for lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (206) for erection and installation, and at least a swivel (213) for lifting and pivoting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (206) from packing position onto the lifting frame (202).

[0036] Reference is now made to FIG. 2b in which the retractable precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) further comprises of at least a pair of casters (214) mounted at the front end and at the rear end of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) to ease movement from one location to another, at least a pair of safety catch fitting (212) for holding the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (206) from slipping off, the adjustable slots (209) to slot in brackets (211) for erection and installation of the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) at high level platform. The concrete wall panel (206) may be installed up to the above of RC kerbs, plinths or higher platform.

[0037] Reference is now made to FIG. 2c which further illustrates the retractable precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) comprising a Direct Current (DC) electric hydraulic power unit (210) with operating switches (204) for providing automatic hydraulic lift to the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200), and at least a power source (205) for supplying energy to operate the machine (200). The frame base (201) of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) is retractable which will reduce size of the said machine (200) to operate in a small working space. The precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (200) is operable equally in both retractable position and static position.

[0038] Reference is now made to FIG. 3a to FIG. 3f which are diagrams illustrating different angles of the process of lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel for erection and installation. FIG. 3a is an upper view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) positioned horizontally on the lifting frame (102) of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100). FIG. 3b is the upper view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) positioned horizontally on the left side of the side hydraulic jack (103). FIG. 3c is the side view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) whereby it is flipped and positioned vertically on the left side of the side hydraulic jack (103).

[0039] FIG. 3d is the side view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) whereby it is flipped and positioned vertically on the right side of the side hydraulic jack (103). FIG. 3e is the side view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) positioned on the lifting frame (102) of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) upon lifted up by certain angle. FIG. 3f is the side view of the lightweight concrete wall panel (106) positioned vertically at a certain angle whereby the said lightweight concrete wall panel (106) is held by safety catch fitting (112) mounted on bottom end of the lifting frame (102) of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100).

[0040] Reference is now made to FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b which are diagrams illustrating inclination angles of the precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) for erection and installation. As indicated by arrow A, the lifting frame (102) of the inclined precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (210) is preferably positioned at least 17 to hold the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) in a stable condition prior to be lifted up for erection and installation. As indicated by arrow B, preferably at least 85 is required by the lifting frame (102) to lift up the precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) for erection and installation.

[0041] The present invention provides for precast lightweight wall panel installation machine (100) for erection and installation of precast lightweight concrete wall panel (106) at higher level onto the RC kerbs by utilizing lifting frame (102) mounted with adjustable slots (109) in brackets. Further, the present invention provides a safe working operation whereby safety catch fitting (112) are mounted on both sides of the lifting frame as well as its suitability for handling a standard capacity load of concrete wall panel (106) up to a preferred height of 3.6 metres.

[0042] Unless the context requires otherwise or specifically stated to the contrary, integers, steps or elements of the invention recited herein as singular integers, steps or elements clearly encompass both singular and plural forms of the recited integers, steps or elements.

[0043] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or integer or group of steps or elements or integers, but not the exclusion of any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements or integers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term comprising is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning including principally, but not necessarily solely.