System for lifting and handling panels

Claim 2

Apparatus for handling a panel in an upright position and aligning said panel vertically when said panel is resting on a supporting surface including collar means encircling said panel at a location between opposite ends thereof, said collar means including bifurcated yoke means disposed on the top edge of said panel and having leg portions thereof lying along opposite sides of said panel, bracket means disposed on the bottom edge of said panel, and band means encircling said panel and releasably securing said yoke and bracket means to said panel, whereby said yoke and bracket means are rigidified with respect to said panel, and a pair of leg means pivotally connected to said yoke on opposite side surfaces of said panel and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle with respect to said panel to bear against said supporting surface at respective locations spaced from said panel, adjustable means connecting said bottom edge of said panel to each of said pair of leg means whereby the angular position of each of said leg means with respect to said panel is adjustable to change the angular relationship between the panel and each leg and cause the top edge of said panel to move relative to said bottom edge of said panel for vertically aligning said panel.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said band comprises a flat metal strap having a thickness less than about 3/8 inch.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said yoke includes a cross member disposed between the legs thereof, said cross member contacting the top edge of said panel when said yoke is disposed on said panel to maintain a portion of said yoke above said top edge of said panel.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of leg means is extensible.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means comprises a turnbuckle and chain assembly.

Claim 7

In a system for handling a masonry panel in an upright position wherein said masonry panel comprises a plurality of courses of laid up masonry units, the combination comprising lifting means, a supporting surface For said panel, collar means encircling said panel at a location between its opposite ends, said collar means comprising bifurcated means disposed on the top edge of said panel and having leg portions thereof lying along opposite sides of said panel, bracket means disposed on the bottom edge of said panel, and band means encircling said panel and releasably securing said yoke and bracket means to said panel, whereby said yoke and bracket means are rigidified with said panel, and means releasably connecting said lifting means and said collar means whereby a lifting force exerted by said lifting means is transferred through said collar means to said panel to lift said panel, a pair of leg means pivotably connected to said collar means at locations on said collar means adjacent the top edge of said panel and on opposite sides of said panel, said pair of leg means depending from said collar means at an acute angle with respect to said panel, the lower ends of said legs bearing against said supporting surface at respective locations on opposite sides of said panel and spaced from said panel whereby said panel is stabilized in an upright position, and adjustable means connecting the bottom edge of the panel to each of the leg means whereby the distance between each leg and the bottom of the panel is adjustable to change the angular relationship between the panel and each leg and thereby exert a moving force against the top edge of the panel and align such top edge with the bottom edge of the panel.

Claim 8

In a system for handling a masonry panel in an upright position wherein said masonry panel comprises a plurality of courses of laid up masonry units, the combination comprising lifting means, a supporting surface For said panel, collar means encircling said panel at a location between its opposite ends, said collar means comprising bifurcated means disposed on the top edge of said panel and having leg portions thereof lying along opposite sides of said panel, bracket means disposed on the bottom edge of said panel, and band means encircling said panel and releasably securing said yoke and bracket means to said panel, whereby said yoke and bracket means are rigidified with said panel, and means releasably connecting said lifting means and said collar means whereby a lifting force exerted by said lifting means is transferred through said collar means to said panel to lift said panel, a pair of leg means pivotably connected to said collar means at locations on said collar means adjacent the top edge of said panel and on opposite sides of said panel, said pair of leg means depending from said collar means at an acute angle with respect to said panel, the lower ends of said legs bearing against said supporting surface at respective locations on opposite sides of said panel and spaced from said panel whereby said panel is stabilized in an upright position, and adjustable means connecting the bottom edge of the panel to each of the leg means whereby the distance between each leg and the bottom of the panel is adjustable to change the angular relationship between the panel and each leg and thereby exert a moving force against the top edge of the panel and align such top edge with the bottom edge of the panel.