Panel positioning apparatus
Moore l l PANEL POSITIONING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Charley II. Moore, 245 Merced St.,  
 Salinas, Calif. 93901 [22] Filed: June 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,425  
  Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 169,772, Aug. 6. 1971, Pat. No.  
 [52] U.S. Cl 214/1 SW [51] Int. Cl B60p 1/14 [58] Field of Search 214/1 R, l D, l H, 95 R, 214/1 SW; 254/2 A, 2 B, 2 C; 187/9, 2; 52/746, 749  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,828,870 4/1958 Corlcy 214/] SW 3,317,059 5/1967 Higgins.. 214/] SW 3,361,280 l/l968 Traver 214/1 SW X 3,382,988 5/1968 OReilly 214/1 SW 3,563.341 2/1971 Bultman 187/9 Apr. 15, 1975 Primary ExaminerFrank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurns, Doane, Swecker &amp; Mathis [57] ABSTRACT A prefabricated panel positioning device for placing the panel in its proper location on a foundation. A hooking assembly is secured to the edge of the panel and lifting forces are applied thereto to lift the panel from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position. The hooking assembly supports the upper frame of the panel and includes a capturing member which selectively prevents disengagement of the panel. An independent dolly is provided which includes a wheeled frame. The dolly supports the lower edge of the panel and horizontally moves it by means of the wheels. The dolly is provided with a jacking device which is utilized to gently lower the panel onto the foundation. The hook and dolly cooperate to position the panel.  
 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 5 i9?5 sum 2 BF 4 PATENTEDAPR 1 51975 saw my} 2.877, 582  
 FIG.8  
 FIG. 7  
 FIG.9  
 PANEL POSITIONING APPARATUS This is a division of application Ser. No. l6),772 now Pat. No. 3,782,771, filed Aug. 6, 1971.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the handling of prefabricated building panels and more particularly to methods and apparatus for supporting an assembled panel while the panel is being transported from one location to another at the building site.  
  The construction industry has, for years, built homes on an individual basis by fabricating a structure at the building site. Inherent in this mode of operation are problems of time and economy. First, lumber and other materials necessary to fabricate the building must be deposited on-site and each piece of lumber cut and measured to fit. In addition. materials such as paneling and siding must remain at the building location to be cut once the frame is constructed. It can be appreciated that this requires a great number of workmen on-site who must saw and hammer without the advantage of factory automation. One must also remember that weather conditions can serve to disrupt construction timetables and damage materials.  
  A partial answer to this dilemma has been the use of prefabricated roof trusses and window frames which help to speed construction and cut costs. However, these advantages are somewhat limited by the need to store these parts at the building site.  
  As noted, it has been found to be more economical to assemble various elements before they are utilized in the construction of the building. Making of these prefabricated elements, is greatly facilitated by the use of mass production techniques, such as have been utilized so successfully in the automobile industry. Prefabricated building components have been expanded to include entire wall panels and frame sections. The new techniques available include automatic nailing guns, heavy duty table saws and other automated equipment which are kept at one central location. The wood utilized in constructing building panels, for example, is stored at a central location and is cut in such a manner as to reduce any lumber wastage. Additionally, supplies utilized in the pre-fabrication are delivered to one central location thereby minimizing logistics problems associated with supplying a number of building sites with suitable materials.  
  Additional advantages can be seen in the reduction of materials stolen from the job sites by keeping these materials at one location which may be fenced or otherwise protected. Labor costs are significantly cut by the utilization of manpower in such a manner as to construct a number of panels at a particular time regardless of the weather or other outside influences. It is envisioned that even the plumbing and other required subsystems may be installed when the panels are constructed. Stud spacing and other measuring tasks are accomplished by means of a masterjig or templet. Window frames and even siding, if installed at this stage, also serves to reduce total construction costs.  
  While many advantages are apparent in building prefabricated panels at a central location, many problems have been encountered in the past which have hampered the use of this concept. For example, the panels must be transferred from a truck which delivers the pre-constructed panels to the individual building locations to be properly positioned on a foundation. This transfer operation must be accomplished with great care so that the panels are not damaged and yet must be a relatively fast procedure due to the desirability of keeping labor costs to a minimum. Any apparatus utilized in this transfer and positioning operation must also be simple to operate and be capable of adapting to a variety of panel sizes. These problems have not been heretofore successfully solved.  
  Generally, the pre-constructed panels are delivered to the building site lying flat and piled on one another with appropriate spacing members between the individual panels. While the panels may be placed in a similar manner at the site for subsequent installation, it has been found to be more economical to transfer the panels directly from the truck that delivered them to their proper position on the building foundation. The panels, then, must be efficiently transferred from a flat horizontal position to a generally vertical position for proper installation.  
  Hooking apparatus utilized in the prior art was gener ally cumbersome and difficult to use. Also when the structure was being lowered for positioning it would swing in a haphazard manner thereby hampering accu rate positioning of the structure.  
 OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for transferring and erecting pre-fabricated panels which can be employed with speed and efficiency thus greatly reducing building costs.  
  Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide an easy to use panel hooking assembly engageable with an edge portion of the panel.  
  Yet another object is to provide a panel mover cooperating with a hooking device to receive a panel and accurately position the panel vertically and to gently lower the panel onto a foundation.  
  A preferred embodiment of the invention, intended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects comprises a lifting device including a hooking assembly engageable on an edge of the panel. The hooking assembly raises the panel and transfers it from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position and onto a mover or dolly assembly. The mover assembly includes a supporting surface which supports the lower edge of the panel. The panel while supported by a portion of the mover assembly is still held vertically by the hooking assembly. The mover assembly also includes a guiding device which facilitates transferring the panel directly to its intended location on the foundation. The mover assembly is also provided with a jacking device which lowersthe generally vertical panel directly to the foundation.  
  The hooking assembly is adjustable to receive variously sized panels. The hooking assembly is also provided with a locking feature which prevents the dislodging of a lifted panel prior to the appropriate placement thereof.  
  The mover assembly includes a frame which is movable horizontally by means of rollers to guide the panel supported thereon. The supporting portion of the dolly moves vertically relative to the frame and is operable to gently lower the panel on a foundation. A portion of the frame acts as a track upon which the supporting portion may ride for vertical positioning. A jacking de vice is utilized to impart relative vertical movement between the supporting portion and the frame.  
 THE DRAWINGS This preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
  FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the panel elevating and lifting device in its open position;  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the panel elevating and lifting device engaged with the beamed edge of a panel;  
  FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the device of FIG. 2;  
  FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the horizontal mover and guiding assembly; I  
  FIG. 5 is a rear end elevational view of the mover of FIG. 4;  
  FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the mover of FIG.  
  FIG. 7 illustrates the panel elevating and lifting device engaged with the periphery of a panel lying horizontally;  
  FIG. 8 shows the panel being lifted by the panel elevating and lifting device; FIG. 9 depicts the mover supporting the panel which is being delivered to it by the lifting device and moving it horizontally for positioning; and  
  FIG. 10 shows the mover lowering the panel into position on a foundation.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 13 there is shown a preferred form of the vertical lifting device or hooking assembly 11 of the present invention.  
  The hooking assembly 11 includes a supporting member 13 which is slidably received in an elongated hollow tubular member 23 having a generally square cross section. A supporting flange 25 extends inwardly from the lower end of the member 13. As can be more clearly seen in FIG. 2, the headers 19 of the panel rest on the flange 25 and are supported for vertical lifting therewith. The member 23 is also provided with a plurality of holes 27 which extend through the member.  
  A capturing means or member is provided with a square hollow collar portion or sleeve 29 having an inner dimension larger than that of the tubular member 23. This portion 29 is slidable about the member 23 and is free to move from the hook to an upper flange 31 attached to the upper end of member 23. The sleeve 29 is also provided with a hole 33 which extends through both sides thereof. This hole is positioned in such a manner that it may be aligned with the holes 27 in the member 23. Once two holes are in registry, a circular locking pin 37 may be slid through the holes thereby locking the vertical position of the collar portion 29 relative to the tube 23. A spring retaining member 39 extends from a collar 41 to hook onto a protruding end of the pin 37. The spring 39 is biased away from the pin 37 thereby holding the pin within the aligned holes 27 and 33.  
  It can be appreciated that the collar 29 and tubular member 23 may be of cylindrical or any other shape as long as there may be relative sliding movement therebetween.  
  The capturing member 15 is also provided with a second hollow sleeve indicated at 41. This sleeve is attached to the sleeve of collar 29 by means of adjustment means or interfitting bridging portions 21. A series of holes 43 are provided in these interfitting portions 21 so that horizontal adjustments between the sleeve 41 and the collar 29 may be made. In the preferred embodiment three such positions are provided. Bolts 45, or other securing devices, may be used to hold the collar 29 and sleeve 41 at the desired spacing. Wall panels of various widths can be accommodated within the area 47 above the flange 25 as shown more clearly in FIG. 2.  
  A lifting means or hooking assembly 49 extends upwardly from and is attached to the adjusting means 21. This hooking assembly is provided with a hole 51 of suitable size to receive a crane hook so that the entire lifting device 11 holding a panel such as 17 can be raised. A reinforced plate 53 is provided above the hole 51. This plate aids in strengthening the hook assembly when lifting forces are applied thereto.  
  A confining bar 55 is vertically slidable within the sleeve 41. This bar is provided with a flange 57 which acts as an upper stop for preventing the disengagement of the bar 55 from the sleeve 41. A locking pin 59 and retaining spring 61 cooperate to keep the bar 55 in the desired vertical position in a similar manner as that previously discussed with relation to locking pin 37. The sleeve 41 and bar 55 are provided with through holes which may be aligned for receiving the pin 59. The lower end of the bar 55 is provided with a plate 63 which extends outwardly on either side of the bar. The plate 63 and bar 55 are shown in their up or releasing position in FIG. 1. When in this position a panel section may be inserted or removed. As noted with reference to FIG. 1, the pin 59 is shown engaged in a hole in the bar 55 which positions the plate 63 in the up position.  
  FIG. 2 shows the bar 55 and plate 63 in a down or locking position for preventing the removal of the panel 17. As can be seen, the headers 19 rest upon and are supported by the flange 25. They are also captured within area 47 by the interposition of plate 63 thereby preventing removal of the panel 17 until the plate 63 is in the up&#34; position.  
  During operation, the capturing assembly 15 may be adjusted for the type of structures being handled by insertion of the pin 37 in the proper hole 27 in the tubular member 23. The spacing between the supporting flange 25 and the lower edge of the bridge portion 21 may then be appropriately selected. Once this spacing is set, the sleeve 41 may be moved and adjusted relative to the collar 29 to accommodate headers of varying depths. The bridge portion may then be locked by means of the aforementioned bolts 45. These two adjustments may only be made one time for a particular job site.  
  Once these adjustments have been made, the workmen need only select one of the two previously mentioned positions for bar 55 to position the plate in its up or down position. The spring retainer 62 is then merely unhooked from the pin 59 and the pin is removed. Then the bar 55 is slid to its proper position relative to the sleeve 41. The holes in the sleeve and bar are then again brought into registry and the pin 59 is reinserted and locked into place by means of the spring 51. Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 there is shown the horizontal mover and guiding assembly 65.  
  The mover assembly or dolly 65 includes a frame means 67 having a U-shaped lower portion 69. Transport means including casters or rollers 71 are provided at the open ends of this frame portion and centrally thereof these casters 71 may be of any suitable type provided that horizontal movement of the dolly 65 is not hampered. The rollers or wheels 71 also may pivot about a vertical axis so that the dolly may be accurately guided horizontally.  
  Two upwardly extending frame sections 73 are spaced from one another by a cross member or beam. A second cross member 75 spans the section 73 at a position generally centrally thereof. Two metal braces 77 extend downwardly at an angle from the cross member 75 and serve to aid in bracing a counterbalancing weight 79. A handle 81 is provided on the weight 79 and is secured thereto by welding or other suitable means. Forces exerted on the dolly through the frame 67 serve to cause the dolly to roll, and a panel being held thereon, to roll to any position on the foundation.  
  A support means or lifting assembly 83 slides vertically along the frame sections 73. For this purpose roller assemblies 85 extend from vertical members 87. These roller assemblies include opposing end plates 89 between which rollers 91 are provided. The members 87 are spaced from one another by means of a cross beam 97. The rollers 91 are disposed on either side of section 73 and are slidable thereon. The sections 73, therefore. act as tracks to guide the roller assemblies 85 and the lifting apparatus 83 for vertical travel relative thereto.  
  The lifting assembly is provided, at its lower edge, with a pair of outwardly extending elongated arms 93 having plates or flanges 95 on the ends thereof. These flanges support a lower edge of a prefabricated panel placed thereon. An additional pair of elongated arms 99 extend outwardly from the upper ends of members 87 and are generally parallel to the lower arms 69. A dowel member 101 is secured to the insides of these arms and maintains the spacing therebetween. A collar 103 is slidable longitudinally along the dowel 101 and is provided with a metal plate 105 having holes 107 therein. This plate may be secured to the collar 103 by welding or other suitable means. The holes 107 are for receiving nails which may be hammered into a stud on the prefabricated panel.  
  Angle irons 109 face outwardly of the arms 99 and are attached at the ends thereof. These irons aid in holding the panel which is resting on flanges 95. The irons 109 are also provided with holes therein for receiving nails which may be driven into the headers on the prefabricated panel. Additional plates 111 are slidably positioned upon the lower arms 93. Once the panel is resting upon the flange 95 these plates 111 may be slid outwardly and nails may be driven through holes 113 and into a portion of the prefabricated panel. This prevents the bottom edge of the wall from sliding off of the flange 95. A slot 115 in the plate 111 cooperates with a bolt 117 which screws into the arms 93 so that the plate may be set in a number of positions.  
  For added stability and security during windy conditions, rope hooks 119 project upwardly from the members 87 and are preferably welded thereto. These hooks are in the form of bent iron bars of sufficient diameter to give adequate security to the assembly 65.  
  A hydraulic jack 121 having a jacking handle 123 acts between cross members 75 and 97 to vertically position the lifting assembly 83 relative to the frame means 67. This hydraulic jack may be of any suitable type sufficient to efficiently position the assembly 83 and panel being held thereon. A safety locking device 125 is also provided. This lock employs a pin 127 which is slidable within two collars 119 and 131 secured to a portion of the frame 67 and the assembly 83, respectively. It can be appreciated that relative movement of these two portions is prevented while the pin 127 is inserted as shown in FIG. 4.  
 OPERATION AND SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES Referring now to FIGS. 7-l0, there is shown in schematic representation the method of the invention.  
  The hooking assembly 11 is suitably attached to the panel 17 which is usually lying in a generally horizontal plane either on a flat-bed truck or on the ground at the building site. A crane hooking device 18 is attached to the assembly 11 and lifting&#39; forces applied thereto through a cable 20. The panel will be caused to leave the ground and be held by the hooking device 18 in a generally vertical manner.  
  The panel is then moved by the cable 10, to the awaiting dolly 65. The lower edge of the panel is supported on the flange extending from the arms 93 (see FIG. 9). The top edge of the panel rests against the angle irons 109 secured to the upper arms 99 and is prevented from tipping. While the hooking device 18 is still attached, aiding to support the panel, the dolly 65 is rolled along the foundation by means of the wheels 71. As was previously noted, the studs and headers of the panel 17 may be further secured to the arms 99 and 93 by utilizing nails driven through the plate 95, angle irons 109 and the plate being provided with holes for that purpose. It can be appreciated that any or all&#39;of these additional fastening means may be utilized.  
  Bolts 133 are shown in FIG. 9 protruding upwardly from the foundation and provide anchoring points for the lower portions of the panel 17 which have holes therein with which the bolts may be aligned. The dolly 65 is used to position the holes in the panel directly over the bolts 133. While a bolt is shown for the purpose of illustration, it can be appreciated that other arrangements may be used.  
 Once the panel is guided to its proper location, it is v gently lowered onto the foundation as shown in FIG.  
 10. This is accomplished by utilizing the jacking mechanism 121 which has been previously discussed. Of course, the safety lock would be disengaged. The dolly may then be moved away leaving the panel 17 to be appropriately nailed into position.  
  It can be seen that a simple, yet efficient, apparatus and method is disclosed for accurately positioning prefabricated building panels on awaiting foundations.  
  The hooking assembly is provided with both width and height adjustments so that panels with headers of varying sizes could be accommodated. It was pointed out that the panel rested mainly on a support flange and was captured by means of an easily adjustable sliding member.  
  A dolly is also provided for cooperating with the hooking assembly to aid in the final positioning of the pre-fabricated panel. This dolly advantageously supports the panel along a lower edge thereof and is provided with auxiliary fastening means to insure panel stability.  
  Of additional significance is the provision of the jacking device which is available to vertically position the panel with a minimum of effort. This jacking device is most advantageously used to lower the panel onto the foundation for attachment thereto.  
  Also of importance are the safety features which help reduce onsite accidents. For example, the safety lock which is included to selectively stop relative movement between the frame and the lifting assembly. Also, providing a counterweight insures that the entire dolly will not tip over when supporting a panel.  
  Although the present invention has been described in connection with one preferred and illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions and deletions not specifically described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A dolly for guiding prefabricated building panels into position comprising:  
 frame means for stabilizing and positioning a panel resting vertically therein, said frame means including a generally U-shaped lower portion having two side members which carry wheel means at the open end thereof for laterally moving said frame means along a level surface;  
 support means slidable vertically on and cooperably associated with said frame means for supporting panel, said support means being operable to lower a panel onto the level surface;  
 said support means including horizontally extending arm means being laterally spaced inwardly from said side members for supporting a panel beyond said U-shaped lower portion and guide means vertically spaced from said arm means for keeping a panel in a generally vertical position, and  
 jacking means acting between said frame means and said support means for selectively vertically positioning said support means and panel associated therewith with respect to said frame means.  
 2. The dolly according to claim 1 further including:  
 a safety locking member interacting between said frame means and said support means for selectively preventing jacking of said support means.  
 3. A dolly for guiding prefabricated building panels into position comprising:  
 a frame having wheels on a lower portion thereof, said wheels permitting horizontal travel of said frame,  
 said frame including a vertically extending portion,  
 slide means positioned for sliding movement about said vertically extending portion of said frame means,  
 said slide means having a first and a second pair of outwardly extending arms, each arm having a free end extending beyond said frame,  
 each of said first pair of arms extending from the bottom of said slide means and including a plate means underlying the free end of each said arm and extending outwardly therefrom to support a lower edge of a panel,  
 each of said second pair of arms extending from the top of said slide means to engage a panel positioned vertically on said slide means, and  
 jacking means operating between said frame and said slide means for vertically positioning said slide means and a panel supported thereon.  
 4. The dolly according to claim 3 further comprising:  
 fastening means carried by the free end of each arm.  
 of said first and second pairs of arms for temporarily fastening a prefabricated panel to said dolly.  
 5. The dolly according to claim 4 wherein said fastening means includes:  
 plate members having a plurality of holes therein,  
 said plate members being fastened to said panel by means of nails.  
 6. A panel mover assembly for guiding building panels into position on anchor bolts comprising:  
 frame means for stabilizing and positioning a panel resting vertically thereon and including a vertical portion, a transverse member and two laterallyspaced side members which define a generally U- shaped lower portion;  
 the free end of each of side members carrying a wheel and said transverse member carrying a third wheel, said wheels being arranged for laterally moving said frame means along a level surface;  
 support means slidable vertically on and cooperably associated with said frame means for supporting a panel;  
 said support means including a pair of lower arms each having a substantially flat plate projecting beyond said side members, each said plate being thin enough to lower the panel onto the anchor bolts;  
 guide means spaced from said lower arms and vertically aligned with said plate for keeping a panel in a generally vertical position; and  
 jacking means acting between said frame means and said support means for selectively vertically positioning said support means and panel associated therewith relative to said frame means.  
 7. The panel mover of claim 6 wherein:  
 each said flat plate extends from the lower side of the corresponding arm thereby allowing said plate to be positioned below the top ends of anchor bolts that project upwardly from a surface supporting the panel mover; and  
 said third wheel being positioned near said vertical portion such that said wheels on said side members function as a fulcrum and said frame means substantially balances the panel.