Pick-up arm and container

Feb. 26, 1963

3,078,621

E. S. HINDS

PICK-UP ARM AND CONTAINER

Filed Feb. 11, 1957 ₂ Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US3078621A_D0001.tif" />

Feb. 26, 1963

3,078,621

E. S. HINDS

PICK-UP ARM AND CONTAINER

<img file="US3078621A_D0002.tif" />

3,078,621

Patented Feb. 26, 1963

United States Patent Office

3,078,621 PICK-UP ARM AND CONTAINER

Earl S. Hinds, 119 N. Virgil Ave., Los Angeles 4, Calif.

Filed Feb. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 639,427

Claims. (Cl. 50—71) ⁵

My invention relates to pick-up arms for use in conjunction with pre-cast reinforced concrete slabs, panels or structures used in the construction of buildings, wharfs, bridges and the like, and also includes and relates to a 10 novel package or container in which the arm is packaged for shipment and use.

Heretofore, in the erection of pre-cast concrete structures, it is customary to pour the concrete floor of the structure or building,. and then, if such floor is of suf- 15 ficient size, to use the floor surface as a base upon .which reinforced concrete slabs are formed, and which slabs are then elevated or tilted upwardly by means of a crane and placed in secured position to form, the side walls of the structure or building. Also, in. previous con- 20 structions metal cast or fabricated hook-nuts, positioned .. -. in association with the usual metal reinforcing curtain or screen, were cast in the concrete slab, and thereafter rigid pick-up bolts were threaded into the hook-nuts, and a shackle was secured to an eye in the pick-up bolt and 25 to one end of a lift-up cable.

, In the operation of lifting or tilting such side wall slabs into position, as heretofore practiced, the shank of the pick-up bolt, being rigid and in secure threaded . engagement with the hook-nut, will form a leverage and 30 undue stress on the hook-nut (due to the angular pull . thereon by the lift-up cables) and many times the means securing the hook-nut to the metal reinforcing screen will break and/or be pulled away from such screen, and thus present a hazardous and highly dangerous condition, many 35 times resulting in the heavy concrete slab falling and seriously injuring or killing workmen, and also breakage of the slab.

In the methods of positioning such pick-up bolts in concrete slabs or panels as hereinbefore referred to, it ⁴⁰has been necessary to fit a stud into the hook-nut, before the concrete is poured, and thereafter locate and remove such stud and position the pick-up bolt in the pick-up nut before the lifting shackle may be connected to the bolt, thus greatly enhancing the cost of labor necessary to ^4ouse the pick-up means for such panels or slabs as heretofore known in the art. ,

An object of my invention is to provide a novel, simple and inexpensive pick-up arm which may be easily, quickly and securely embedded in, and secured in association with ^5υthe underside of the metal reinforcing curtain or screen of pre-cast concrete panels or slabs, and the like, and which will provide a greater maximum of safety during lifting or tilting of the same into position.

Another object is to provide a novel pick-up arm for pre-cast concrete slabs, or panels and the like, which may be easily and quickly secured in position in the slab, located after the concrete has “set,” and which will reI. duce strain thereon and on the concrete of the slab to a minimum during slab-lifting operation. ⁶⁰

A further object is to provide a novel, simple and 1 inexpensive combined pick-up arm and also a novel, simple and inexpensive package or container for the arm, and in which the arm may be shipped and also positioned _6gfor use in the concrete panel or slab.

A still further object is to provide a novel pick-up arm which will eliminate the objectionable and costly features hereinabove referred to, and heretofore encountered in the devices previously known in the art. 70

Yet another object is to provide a novel pick-up arm and container or package therefor, both of which are economical to manufacture, easy to position in place for use by more or less unskilled laborers, reduce labor costs in installation, use, and also after lifting operation, and yet afford maximum safety during lifting operations of the panel to which it is attached.

The device of this invention is suitable for use in connection with all types of pre-cast concrete, that is, panels or slabs, roof slabs, columns, beams, structures, wharfs, bridges, and the like; and also whether one, two, three, four or more pick-up connections are provided depending upon the weight, size and design of the article to be lifted.

. The invention resides in the parts and combination and arrangement of the parts as more fully hereinafter described in detail in the accompanying specification and defined in the claims.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detail description, and the appended claims. . • The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in some of the forms I at present deem preferable.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pre-cast concrete slab or panel equipped with my novel pick-up arm, illustrating a. four-point suspension for the slab connected to a crane lifting cable and with the slab in partially elevated or tilted position.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a fragmentary portion of a pre-cast concrete panel having a pick-up arm of my invention cast therein and pivotally connected to the underside of the metal reinforcing mat, screen or curtain of the panel, the pick-up arm being still encased in its container.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3—3, FIG. 2, but on enlarged scale and showing the pick-up arm and container filler blocks in side elevation and with one side of the container removed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4—4, FIG. 3, and with the lower part of the concrete panel broken away to contract the view.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view analogous to FIG. 3, but with the top of the container and the container filler blocks removed, and the pick-up arm extended from the container to receive a shackle (not shown) of the lifting cable.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of my novel container or package and pick-up arm assembled as a “unit” for shipping and installation.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fragment of the metal reinforcing mat, screen or curtain, having my novel pick-up arm unit associated therewith, and ready to have the concrete aggregate poured therearound, a modified means of supporting the top end of the unit being shown.

FIG. 8 is a view of a modified form of a detachable pick-up arm and container in a slab, a portion of which is shown in section, the container also being shown in section, and with the top thereof removed to permit the detachable pick-up arm, shown in side elevation, to be extended therefrom for attachment to the shackle of the lifting cable.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view analogous to FIG. 8, but showing in side elevation another modified form of pickup arm, and with the container top and filler blocks still in place.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, on smaller scale than, and analogous to FIG. 9, but showing a different arrangement of packaging the pick-up arm and container filler blocks.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a pick-up arm, and showing a modified way of forming the recess for such arm in the pre-cast slab, a portion of which is shown in section. A portion of the recess forming block being broken away and shown in section.

3,078,621 ³

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12—12, FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the practical use of my novel pick-up arm A, and as a general rule, several modifications or variations in the general construction thereof, as shown, may be utilized 5 to accomplish the objects thereof, and also in the event either a one, two, three, four or more pick-up .point connection is used with an article to be tilted or lifted, a description of one will generally (except perhaps, for changes in detail construction) suffice to set forth the io basic features and principles to be accomplished by all.

Referring now to the, at present, preferred form of my invention, shown in FIGURES 1-7 of the drawings, the tilt-up or pick-up arm A comprises a plow steel bar 1, and which in present structural operations, it has been 15 found that a Vi x 2&gt;/2 steel bar of 9, 10 or 11 in length will suffice, depending upon the thickness of the concrete wall, panel or slab 2 with which it is used.

The arm A is provided with a hole 3 at one end, and with a hole 4 at its other end. The diameter of holes 3 20 and 4 is such, that hole 3 may receive the bolt 5 of a clevis or shackle 6 connected to one end of lift-up cables 7 of the lifting mechanism 8, cable 9 of which is connected to a crane, not shown; and the hole 4 may receive a journal member 10 secured to the underside of a rein- 25 forcing curtain C and may be in the form of a 1 or #8 or any suitable size reinforcing steel bar 10 commonly used in reinforcing concrete structures, and about which the arm A may oscillate, as hereinafter more fully described. ³⁰

The arm A is packaged within a carboard container, housing member, or case B which is preferably constructed in outline, as shown in FIG. 6, with its bottom wall or edge 11 tapered upwardly to form an apex at 12 with the top wall 13. The apex 12 of container B is 35 always positioned to point toward the top edge 14 of the panel or slab 2.

The outer housing member of container B is preferably of heavy manila cardboard folded upon itself as shown in FIG. 6 and is lined at each side wall 15, 16 thereof 4° with side wall liner and stiffener members, of any suitable material such as heavy and oiled cardboard or paraffined fiber board 17, 18; and the space or chamber 19 around the arm A and within the container B is substantially filled with removable filler blocks 20, 21 and 45 22, and which may be of any suitable inexpensive material, such as an oil impregnated board, like “Firtex” or “Cellotex,” or the like, and such filler blocks fill the voids in the housing member around arm A.

There filler blocks 20, 21 and 22 and the arm A form ₅₀spacer members, or provide means between the side walls 15, 16 of the container B to prevent the container from being crushed or collapsed when the concrete aggregate is poured therearound to form the pre-cast metal reinforced concrete slab or panel 2. 55

The side walls 15, 16 of container B, and the side wall liner members 17 and 18 are provided with openings 23 therethrough which coincide, or are in alinement with, the hole 4 cf arm A when packaged in container B.

The filler block 20 may be of any suitable shape to θθ fill the void at the apex of the container, and fits into and fills the apex of container B and is provided with an arcuate portion 24 which receives and rests against the rounded shackle bolt receiving end 3' of bar 1. The filler block 21 is in the shape of a right-angled triangle with the hy- ₆₅potenuse 25 thereof resting against the upper longitudinal edge of bar 1, in the assembled unit, the lower edge of bar 1 extending along and being in contact with the greater portion of the bottom wall 11 of container B. The base 26 of block 21 preferably terminates adjacent ?₀the rounded journal end 27 of bar 1, and the rectangular filler block 22 substantially fills the space between the base 26 of block 21, the journal end 27 of bar 1 and the loading end 28 of container B. The block 22 is formed as shown and above described, rather than being integral 75 with the base 26 of block 21 for low cost in production and also for ease of operation in removal of the filler blocks 20, 21 and 22, although it will be apparent that filler blocks 21 and 22 could be integral with each other and accomplish the same result.

The container or case B is preferably formed as shown in FIG. 6 from a single piece of suitable material such as cardboard that is bent and folded upon itself with the side edges 29, 30 overlapping each other and preferably secured together by gluing the same. The forward tapered bottom end 11 at the upper end of the unit has a flap 31 tucked under and glued to the underside of the side wall 16. The loading end 28 is closed by a closure or cover flap 32, the free end 33 of which is tucked under the side wall 16. Tabs 34 may be provided to extend from the end of top wall 13 and also from the end of bottom wall 11 to further aid in closing the loading end 28 of the container B.

In packaging the pick-up arm A in the container B as a pick-up unit for shipment and use in combination with a pre-cast concrete panel, I prefer, as a simple, easy and economical expedient therefor, to first place the apex filler block 20 in its position on one side wall liner and stiffener 17 or 18, and preferably secure the same thereto by means of a staple 35 to thereby prevent accidental displacement. The arm A, and filler blocks 21, 22 are then placed on said side wall liner 17 or 18, and the complementary side wall 17 or 18 superimposed thereon, and the parts inserted into the container. The free end 33 of closure flap 32 is then positioned underneath side wall 16 and secured in closing position by a plurality of _;staples 36 that extend through side wall 16, closure flap end 33 and into the filler block 22, thus making a compact, assembled pick-up unit, neatly packaged for shipping and for use as hereinafter described. &lt;

The longitudinal edges 37, 38 along the top side walls of the container B are preferably provided (before folding of the container) with heavy scoring and indentations so as to enable the top wall 13 to be easily torn from the side walls, as also hereinafter described.

The foregoing pick-up arm A, assembled and packaged, as hereinabove described, in the shipping and use container B, provides and forms a pick-up unit 99 which is the primary article of manufacture of the invention herein. However, the invention herein, further and also comprises, the combination of such pick-up unit with a precast reinforced concrete slab or panel, as well as the method of making such a slab with a pick-up arm of my invention combined therewith.

The pick-up unit 99 is particularly adapted for being combined with, and providing a novel pick-up arm for, pre-cast or prefabricated reinforced concrete walls of extensive surface area and considerable weight, such as the slab or panel 2.

In prefabricating such slab 2, the floor of the building is usually used upon which the slab is formed, after first positioning or arranging the reinforcing bars 39 in the desired pattern to form what is termed a metal reinforcing screen, mat or curtain C for the slab, wall or panel. This metal curtain is supported by any suitable means, such as “chairs,” to hold the screen above the bottom of the mold (or floor of the building, if formed thereon).

At the points to which it is desired to secure the lifting £ or pick-up means, so as to tilt-up or lift the slab into position; I place a pick-up unit 99 by first passing a journal member 10 through the openings 23 and with the mem- i her 10 underneath the metal screen C, the member 10 is secured thereto by any suitable means, such as the wire ties 40.

The journal member is preferably of such length that it will extend under four or more reinforcing bars 39, although in some instances its extension under two adjacent bars 39 may be sufficient depending upon the weight and size of the slab or article to be pre-cast and lifted.

The end of the unit 99 opposite the openings 23 is

3,078.621 pointed toward the end of the slab which will be its top when tilted into position, and the tapered bottom edge 11 of the unit will preferably be positioned to rest upon a reinforcing bar 39 of the reinforcing screen so that the top wall 13 of the unit will be flush with the top of the slab 2 to be formed. In thus positioning the unit 99, the tapered edge 11 is slid upon its supporting bar 39 until the top wall 13 is in such a flush position, and then the journal member 10 is securely tied in place with the wire ties 40 to thereby maintain the top 13 in proper position.

In those instances where it may not be practical to rest the top end of the unit 99 on a bar 39 as just described, a supporting wire 41 may be attached to adjacent bars 39 and act as a sling or support for such top end of unit 99.

After thus positioning the desired number of pick-up units 99 at the predetermined pick-up points, the concrete aggregate is poured and embeds the units 99 therein, and the top wall 13 thereof is screed flush with the pour,. After the pour has set, a screw driver or other like tool is inserted under .the top wall 13 at the apex 12 thereof and, the wall 13 is torn, from the case B along the tearable edges 37, 38 thereof. The filler block 20 is then removed in like manner, as are the spacer members or filler blocks 21, 22. The side wall liner or stiffener members 17, 18 are also removed from the container B and as much of the container B as is possible to be removed, is also removed so that the recess 42 formed by the container in the panel 2 will be as free and clean as possible to provide an effective bond when such recess is grouted in.

The arm A may then be easily lifted out of the container by inserting a screw driver or like tool, under the rounded free end thereof, so that it may be connected to the usual shackle bolt of the clevis 6.

After the slab 2 has been tilted-up or lifted into position, the shackle bolts are removed, the arms A are returned into the recess 42 formed by the container B, and the arm A is grouted therein to make a smooth wall surface, that will be devoid of rust marks from any exposed portion of the arm 1, because such arm 1 will be completely embedded in the finished wall, and not exposed to the surface thereof after the same has been grouted in the recess 42.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the filler or spacer blocks 29, 21 and 22 and the arm 1, all being of the same thickness, provide spacer members for the side walls 15, 16 of the container B, so as to prevent crushing of the container when the aggregate is poured therearound in the formation of slab 2; and the filler blocks 20, 21 and 22 being oil impregnated “Firtex” or “Cellotex” will not absorb moisture from the pour and be difficult to remove from the container when it is so desired to do. Furthermore, the oiled or paraffin coated side wall liner and stiffener members likewise prevent absorption of moisture from the pour through the cardboard container, and also permit the arm 1 to be easily tilted out of the container B, and it will thus be seen that such side wall members 17,18 and the filler blocks are'treated with a water repellent substance, so as to prevent absorption of moisture from the pour.

In FIG. 8, I have shown a modified form of cardboard container 50 and pick-up arm 51, and with the filler or spacer blocks and the container top removed, and with the arm 51 placed therein and in position to be lifted for engagement with the shackle bolt of the crane lifting mechanism. In this FIG. 8, the arm 51 is preferably formed of a square metal, bar 52 formed at one end to provide a shackle bolt receiving hole or opening 53 and being bent upon itself at its other end in the form of a hook member 54 to provide an open-sided journal receiving hole or opening 54'.

The container 50 is provided with openings 55 at opposite sides thereof (analogous to the openings 23 of container B) and through which the supporting and journal bar 10' extends and is secured to the underside of the concrete slab reinforcing screen 56 in a manner analogous to the securement of journal member 10 to the reinforcing screen by the tie wires 40.

It will be seen that the journal member or bar 10' 5 (after securement to the screen 56) will support one end of container 50 and the otherwise free end thereof is supported in proper position (with its top wall to be screed flush with the pour) by any suitable means, such as a chair (not shown) or by a supporting wire 41' (anal10 ogous to wire 41, FIG. 7).

In the use of the pick-up arm 51, the container 50 will be cast in the panel or slab 2' during formation thereof, and after the aggregate has set, the tearable top por.. tion of container 50 and the filler blocks initially placed 15 therein are removed; then the arm 51 may be inserted in container 50 and the hook member 54 looped over journal.member 10' after, which the shackle bolt of the lifting mechanism may be connected through hole 53. In this , ,. construction, shown in FIG. 8, after the slab or panel 20 2' has been lifted into vertical, wall position the arm 51 may be easily and quickly removed from engagement with its journal 10', removed from the recess 57 formed by the container 50, and then such recess 57 grouted in to form a smooth wall surface.

. In the device of my invention shown in FIG. 9 I have shown a further modified form of construction of the pickup arm 58, and wherein the bar S9 forming the arm 58 is bent upon itself at each end to form a shackle bolt . receiving hole or opening 60¹ and a closed journal receiv30 ing hole or opening 61 for the journal member 10. This form of arm 58 enables the end wall 62 of container 50' to be positioned closer to the openings 55' than is possible with the device shown in FIG. 8; and otherwise, . the device of FIG. 9 is analogous to that shown in FIG. 8, 35 and like parts are identified in FIG. 9 by adding the character (') to each numeral of like identity of parts found in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9 the top wall 63 of container 50' has not been removed or torn therefrom; and the filler blocks 64, 40 65, 66, 67 and 68 are therefore naturally still in position therein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a pick-up unit 70 which is analogous to the type of pick-up arm 58 shown in FIG. 9, but in . which the pick-up arm 58' is shown in a different posi45 tion when packaged in the container 50 and also illustrates the filler blocks or spacer members 71, 72 and 73 of different shape or contour. By packaging the pick-up arm 58' as shown in FIG. 10 the container 50 may be . made shorter in length than the containers 50, 50', other50 wise the function, use and operation of the pick-up arm unit 70 and its component parts are the same as hereinbefore described, with the exception, however, of the detachability of the pick-up arm shown in FIG. 8. Like parts shown in FIG. 10 and not otherwise specifically herein 55 numbered, are designated by adding the character (') to each numeral of analogous identity to those found in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, I have shown a further modified form of a pivoted pick-up arm 75 se60 cured to the underside of a reinforcing curtain 76 and a different method of pre-casting the concrete structure 77 therearound, and the recess 78 therein. In this embodiment of my invention the arm 75 is pivotally connected to a journal member 79 that is located at the ap65 propriate pick-up point and is secured to the underside of the reinforcing curtain 76 in the same manner as heretofore described that journal members 1®, 10', 10 are secured thereto.

In the forming the recess 78 in structure 77, the pick70 up arm 75 is moved to a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and a block 80^! of any suitable material, such as wood, and of the desired height, width and length, is then placed adjacent the longitudinal and vertical side of arm 75 that lies toward the top of the struc75 ture when positioned for use. The top of block 80 is

3,078,621 positioned so as to be screed flush with the pour, and is so positioned by any suitable means, such as chairs, not shown but which are well known in the art, or by the nails 81 driven into block 80 and the heads 82 of which rest upon the surface forming one side of the mold in 5 which the structure 77 is pre-cast. If desired the block 80 may be supported in proper position to receive the pour, by means of a supporting wire 41u analogous to the supporting wire or sling 41, 41' and 41. A filler block 83 extends from the lower corner of block 80 and 10 fills the space between the block 80 and the rounded end 84 of arm 75 and prevents the aggregate from entering such space. This block 83 may be of any suitable compressible or crushabie material, such as “Firtex” or “Cellotex” and may remain in the recess 78 after the 15 block 8© has been removed from the structure after the aggregate has set.

The arm 75 is used to lift the structure 77 by the usual lifting means as hereinabove referred to, and when the structure is positioned in place, the shackle bolt is re- 20 moved, the arm 75 is moved into the recess 78, as shown in dot and dash lines, FIG. 11, and then the recess is grouted in to make a smooth surface and prevent the arm 75 from causing rust spots on the surface of the structure. 25

If desired the arm 75 may be greased before the pour, so as to prevent the aggregate from adhering thereto.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have invented and provided a new method of forming a pre-cast reinforced concrete structure with lifting means incorporated 30 therein, and which method consists in first securing a journal member to the underside of a metal reinforcing curtain for said structure; then pouring aggregate around said curtain and journal to form a pre-cast structure with a recess open to one side of said structure and through which 35 said journal extends; then pivotally connecting lifting means to said journal and lifting said pre-cast structure into position whereby said lifting means connection may pivot on said journal and in said recess during lifting of said structure; and then disconnecting said lifting means 40 and grouting in said recess.

The method also comprises encasing a pick-up arm in a container; then extending a journal member through one end of said arm and container and securing the journal member to the underside of a metal reinforcing curtain 45 in such position that the top of said container will be flush with the pour; then pouring aggregate around said container, curtain and journal member, and allowing the same to set, to form a structure having a recess therein which may be opened to one side of said structure, and which 50 extends from the journal member upwardly toward the top of said structure; then removing the top of said container to expose the arm and permit access to said recess; then rotating said arm on said journal member to withdraw the arm from the recess and then connecting the other 55 end of said arm to lifting means whereby the structure is lifted into position; then disconnecting the arm from said lifting means and rotating said arm about said journal member thereby replacing said arm in said recess, and then θθ grouting in said recess with said arm therein.

It will be noted that the pick-up arm rotates or oscillates on its associated journal member during the lift, thereby allowing, in all positions, a straight pull of the lifting means on the arm and the elimination of shear thereon; and my novel construction and assembly transfers the load to the curtain of reinforcing steel in the panel and prevents the arm and its journal member from being pulled out of the pre-cast structure.

Whereas several examples of the present invention have ₇₀been described, those skilled in the art will comprehend the widely diversified applications of the principles to other apparatus and uses. In particular the shape of the container, as well as those of the filler blocks to fill the voids in the chamber formed by the container may be varied 75 without in any way changing the spirit of my invention as herein disclosed.

It will be also noted from the foregoing description that my novel pick-up arm unit, as particularly shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, may be packaged as a composite article of manufacture, whereby the unit also serves as a shipping container and as the means for forming a recess in the panel; and the arm and filler blocks prevent the wet concrete aggregate from collapsing the container during formation of the pre-cast panel; and that the cost of the arm, container and filler blocks therefor, is reduced to a minimum for an article of this character; and its use in the field is safe, fast and highly economical because it may be easily and quickly positioned and secured to the metal curtain (even by unskilled laborers), the arm may be easily and quickly located and exposed for use and for easy and quick attachment to, and disengagement from, the lifting means; and even though the arm remains in, and is grouted in, the panel, the savings in labor costs over devices heretofore known, greatly offsets the small cost of the arm itself which is thus expendable.

Although I have in the main hereinabove described the arm and container and its use as relating to a single unit, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the foregoing description of one unit is equally applicable whether a one, two, three, four or more point suspension may be desired and used, and for the sake of brevity need net be further elaborated upon.

It is also to be understood in the foregoing specification and the appended claims, that the use of the term “panel,” or “slab,” or “article” shall be and is intended to define and include, a panel, slab, roof slab, column, beam, wharf, bridge, structure, or analogous or like article; and although ^JI may prefer to designate such article or structure by the more convenient designation “panel” or “slab,” the use of * such terms, or any other like term, is intended to include and embrace all such articles hereinbefore specifically designated and referred to, as well as any other similar and like article or structure.