Concrete Lifter

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Mechanisms have existed for some time now which have been used to remove sections of concrete or uneven sections of concrete on highways and perhaps the one that comes to mind first would be the hydraulic jack hammer. To utilize this apparatus of course one needs a compressor and expeditures involved in operating this machine are quite substantive wherein compared to the mechanism according to the instant application.

In addition however applicant is aware of the following additional patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,148,856, 3,039,742, 3,394,634, 3,727,885 and 3,946,988. The patents to Pfundt and Kehren each utilize hydraulic type means in combination with a retaining chain for vertically raising column type objects, such as trees or poles. However none of the above identified patents is directed to hydraulic means in combination with an iron plate shown in the drawings. In addition there is no teaching found which disclosed the technique used according to the instant application for removing concrete.

2. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive mechanism for removing portions of concrete.

Another object contemplates providing such a mechanism that can reliably and safely remove concrete portions.

Another object contemplates providing a durable structure for utilization and concrete removal.

These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification and drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the inverted F-shaped bracket structure according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 depicts an environment for use with the apparatus according to the instant invention;

FIG. 5 shows stage one of the installation of the bracket according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows installation of the hydraulic jack as the second step in breaking away a portion of concrete; and

FIG. 7 shows the apparatus after having removed a portion of concrete.

Referring to the drawings now wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawings reference numeral 10 generally denotes the apparatus according to the present invention.

This apparatus can generally be regarded as a bracket structure 1 of inverted F-shaped configuration having a vertical leg 1 from which legs 4 and 3 extend outwardly in a horizontal direction at the extremities of portion 1 in opposite sides of the member 1. Horizontal leg 3 has a sharpened point 11 and parallel to leg 3 is another arm element 2 which provides the third leg for the inverted F-shaped bracket. Arm element 2 is supported and carried by a supporting brace network comprised of tubing members 9 and 12 which when fastened to the vertical leg 1 form a right triangle. Tubular members 9 and 12 are welded or affixed to vertical leg 1 by any conventional manner and attached to each other at the extremity remote from vertical leg 1 also by welding or the like. The arm element 2 depends from the horizontal bar 9 and it is to be noted especially in FIG. 2 that the horizontal extent of depending arm 2 with bar 9 compared to leg 3 which tapers to point 11 has a greater extent. Extremity 4 of the bracket has disposed at its end remote from leg 1 a handle 5 whose purpose will be explained hereinafter. In operation, a portion is cleared away adjacent to concrete elements C as shown in FIG. 4, and the pointed edge 11 of the bracket is caused to ride underneath the concrete with leg 2 overriding the concrete. A sledge hammer H is used to drive the bracket below and above the concrete so as to ride thereover. FIG. 6 shows the inclusion of a conventional hydraulic jack J having a handle portion 6 and piston 8 with a platform 7. The platform 7 is caused to engage the bottom side of leg 4 of the bracket and applying the hydraulic pressure through handle 6 raises the piston as shown in FIG. 7 to a point where the concrete C will break off from the remaining portions of concrete and be lifted therefrom.

As has been previously noted, since the horizontal arm denoted by elements 9 and 2 are somewhat longer then the horizontal leg 3, application of the hydraulic jack will tend to provide a turning moment on the entire concrete lifter so that the moment arm will be effectively increased by having arm 2 acting further away from vertical leg 1 then does arm 3. In this situation, the handle 5 can be used to provide a grasping surface to carry away the concrete to a suitable vehicle.

It is to be noted that the leg 4 and its connection with vertical leg 1 is strengthened by brace elements 13 disposed on both sides of the concrete lifter as shown in FIG. 3 not only to provide additional support between vertical leg 1 and horizontal leg 4 but also to serve as a channel guideway restraint when the sledge hammer is being used to drive the block breaker under the concrete as best seen in FIG. 5.

Having thus described the invention, it will be appreciated that numerous structural variations are intended to be a part of this invention as set forth in the specification hereinabove and as defined hereinbelow by the claims.