Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02872577 2014-11-28
ADJUSTABLE MODULE LIFT FRAME ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention is directed to a module lift frame which is
foldable so that it
may be conveniently stored and transported without being disassembled, and so
that it can be
conveniently deployed for use.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Heavy industrial plants, particularly in the bitumen, heavy oil and
petrochemical
industries are increasingly being constructed using pre-fabricated modules. A
standard
module comprises El structural steel frame, and may be 20 feet wide, 80 to 120
feet long, and
up to 24 feet high, with weights ranging from 50 to 160 metric tons.
[0003] Conventionally, these modules are lifted and installed using cranes and
rigging
assemblies such as that shown in Figure 1 (Prior Art). However, as the centre
of gravity of the
module may not coincide with the physical centre of the module, the rigging
must be adjusted
so that the module can be lifted with substantially equal tension in the
rigging components.
The large number of spreader bars, slings and shackles introduce a large
number of potential
pinch points, each of which carries a potential injury site. The complexity of
the rigging
causes lengthy delays while adjusting for the module centre of gravity and
pick point
configurations. The rigging does not provide any stiffness to the module
causing significant
stresses within the module for unequally loaded modules.
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[0004] In the conventional rigging assemblies such as shown in Figure 1 (Prior
Art), the
slings are provided in the form of flexible cables. When the rigging assembly
is not in use, the
cables should be detached from the spreader bars and properly stored to
prevent their
entanglement and for ease of transportation. When the rigging assembly is to
be used,
however, the cables must be re-attached to the spreader bars. Such operations
delay the
transportation and use of the rigging assembly.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a module lift frame which
mitigates the
difficulties of the prior art.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] In one aspect, the invention may comprise a module lift assembly
comprising:
(a) a lift assembly;
(b) a first longitudinal lift beam and a second longitudinal lilt beam
transversely
separated from the first lift beam; and
(c) a first plurality of slings connecting the lift assembly to the first
lift beam, and a
second plurality of slings connecting the lift assembly to the second lift
beam,
wherein each sling is pivotally connected to the lift assembly and to the lift
beam
that is connected by the sling to the lift assembly, and comprises a plurality
of
pivotally connected elongate segments, wherein pivoting of the segments
relative
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to each other, the lift assembly and the lift beams allows the lift assembly
to be
lowered and raised relative to the lift beams.
[0007] In one embodiment, at least two segments of each sling may be pivoted
into
overlapping relation to each other. When in overlapping relation to each
other, the two
segments may be in a substantially horizontal orientation, and substantially
longitudinally
aligned with the lift beam that is connected by the sling to the lift
assembly.
[0008] In one embodiment, each sling consists of three segments.
- [0009] In one embodiment, the plurality of segments comprises a first
segment and a second
segment, pivotally connected by a shackle. In another embodiment, the first
and second
segments may be pivotally connected by a double plate connector comprising a
first plate, a
second plate, and at least one pin spanning between the plates for retaining
the first and
second segments. The at least one pin may comprise a first pin for retaining
the first segment
and a second pin for retaining the second segment. In another embodiment, the
first and
second segments may be pivotally connected by a boom pendant thimble
comprising a first
member for retaining the first segment, and a second member for retaining the
second
segment, wherein the first member and the second member are pivotally
connected.
[0010] In one embodiment, each sling further comprises an adjustable length
member. Each
sling adjustable length member may comprise a telescoping rod or flat bar and
tube or
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rectangular shell assembly. Each sling may further comprise a turnbuckle for
secondary length
adj ustment.
[0011] In one embodiment, the lift assembly comprises a first multipoint
adapter plate and a
second multipoint adapter plate separated by a transverse spreader bar,
wherein the first and
second multipoint adapter plates have an apex for attachment to the transverse
spreader bar,
and a plurality of attachment points for the first and second plurality of
slings, respectively,
arrayed on an arc opposite the apex. Each of the first and second multipoint
adapter plate may
comprise a pair of spaced apart plates and a plurality of pins or bolts
separating the pair of
spaced apart plates and forming the plurality of attachment points. The
transverse spreader bar
may comprise a lift ear disposed at each end of the transverse spreader bar,
wherein each lift
car comprises a pivoting attachment to a crane hook, and a pivoting attachment
to a shackle
from which a different one of the multipoint adapter plates is suspended,
wherein the pivoting
attachments permit pivoting movement of the transverse spreader bar relative
to the crane
hook and the multipoint adapter plates about a horizontal axis, parallel to
the lift beams, Each
lift ear may comprise a single pivot pin as the pivoting attachment to both
the crane hook and
the shackle from which the different one of the multipoint adapter plates is
suspended.
[0012] In one embodiment, the module lift assembly further comprises a
plurality of slider
assemblies, each of the slider assemblies slidably attaching a shackle for
attaching a module to
one of the lift beams. The plurality of slider assemblies may be
interconnected along the one
of the lift beam. The lift beam, such as an I-beam or a double web beam, may
comprise an
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upper flange and a lower flange wherein the plurality of slings is attached to
the upper flange,
and wherein the plurality of slider assemblies is supported by the lower
flange.
100131 In one embodiment, the module lift assembly further comprises a
supporting structure
for supporting the lift assembly in a position such that the segments of the
slings are pivoted
into overlapping relation to each other. The supporting structure may comprise
an A-frame
and a Pair of saddles for receiving a transverse spreader bar of the lift
assembly.
Brief Description of the Drawings
1001411 In the drawings, like elements are assigned like reference numerals.
The drawings
are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the
principles of the
present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one
of a number of
possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present
invention. The
drawings are briefly described as follows:
[0015] Figure 1 is diagram of a prior art module lift rigging assembly.
[0016] Figure 2 shows one embodiment of a module lift assembly of the present
invention.
[0017] Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2, showing one embodiment of a
multipoint adapter
plate.
[0018] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of an adjustable length member for
attachment
between one embodiment of the slings and the lift beam.
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=5 [0019] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a slider assembly.
[0020] Figure 6 shows a side view of one embodiment of the adjustment of the
slider
assemblies for a module having an offset centre of gravity.
[0021] Figure 7 shows an end view of one embodiment of the assembly before
adjustment of
the length of the sling assemblies for a module having an offset centre of
gravity.
[0022] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
module lift
assembly of the present invention, in the stowed configuration, when loaded
onto a transporter
or in storage awaiting further use.
[0023] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the module lift
assembly
shown in Figure 8 in the stowed configuration, when connected to a crane hook.
Figure 10
shows a detailed perspective view of the lift assembly and slings when the
module lift
assembly is in the stowed configuration shown in Figure 9.
[0024] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the module lift
assembly
shown in Figure 8 in a first intermediate configuration, when connected to a
crane hook.
Figure 12 shows a detailed perspective view of the lift assembly and slings
when the module
lift assembly is in the first intermediate configuration shown in Figure 11.
[0025] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the module lift
assembly
shown in Figure 8 in a second intermediate configuration, when connected to a
crane hook.
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[0026] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the module lift
assembly
shown in Figure 8 in a deployed configuration, when connected to a crane hook.
[0027] Figure 15 shows a double plate connector for connecting two segments of
a sling,
[0028] Figure 16 shows a boom pendant thimble for connecting two segments of a
sling.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
[0029] The invention relates to an adjustable module lift frame assembly. When
describing
the present invention, all terms not defined herein have their common art-
recognized
meanings. To the extent that the following description is of a specific
embodiment or a
particular use of the invention, it is intended to be illustrative only, and
not limiting of the
claimed invention. The following description is intended to cover all
alternatives,
modifications and equivalents that are included in the spirit and scope of the
invention, as
defined in the appended claims.
[0030] As shown in Figure 1, a prior art rigging assembly includes spreader
bars oriented in
both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Adjusting the rigging to
accommodate a non-
centred centre of gravity (COG) involves multiple adjustments of various
rigging components.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 2, a
module (M) lift
frame assembly comprises:
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(a) an upper lift assembly comprising a first and second multipoint adapter
plates
(10, 12) separated by a transverse spreader bar (14);
(b) a lift frame comprising first and second longitudinal lift beams (20,
22)
separated by transverse bracing (24) and diagonal bracing (26);
(c) a plurality of slings (30) connecting the first multipoint adapter
plate (10) to the
first lift beam (20) and connecting the second multipoint adapter plate (12)
to
the second lift beam (22), wherein each sling (30) comprises a member of
adjustable length (40); and
(d) a plurality of slider assemblies (50) each having a -first end (52)
slidingly
affixed to either the first or second lift beams (20, 22), and a second end
(54)
comprising a lift shackle (56) for attaching to the module (M) being lifted.
[0032] The upper lift assembly connects to a crane hook (5) which is attached
by wire rope
to either end of the transverse spreader bar (14). First and second multipoint
adapter plates
(10, 12) are attached to lift ears (101), as can be seen in Figure 3, disposed
at the ends of the
transverse spreader bar (14).
[0033] In one embodiment, each multipoint adapter plate (10, 12) comprises a
pair of
parallel plates spaced apart with pins or bolts. Each adapter plate has an
apex which accepts
and hangs from a shackle (102) connected to the lift ear (101). A plurality of
sling
attachments (103) are arrayed in an arc opposite the apex, as may be seen in
Figure 3.
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[0034] The lift frame comprises first and second horizontal longitudinal lift
beams (20, 22)
separated by transverse bracing (24) and diagonal bracing (26). In one
embodiment, the
longitudinal lift beams comprise I-beams or double web beams having a lower
flange (200).
Each lift beam may be a single unitary beam or may comprise multiple
interconnected lift
beams. The lift frame is connected to the adapter plates (10, 12) by a
plurality of slings (30)
connecting the first multipoint adapter plate (10) to the first lift beam
(20), and a plurality of
slings (30) connecting the second multipoint adapter plate (12) to the second
lift beam (22).
Each length of sling (30) may comprise a number of sling segments
interconnected with
intermediate shackles (32) or connector plates, and are attached to an upper
surface of each lift
beam. Preferably, the lift assembly comprises an even number of slings,
distributed between
the first and second adapter plates and lift beams. Preferably, the slings
attach to the lift
beams in fixed positions, spaced in equidistant manner along the length of the
lift beams.
[0035] Each sling (30) further comprises at least one member of adjustable
length (40). In a
preferred embodiment, the adjustable length member (40) comprises a
telescoping rod (42)
and tube (44), or flat bar and rectangular shell arrangement, which may be
fixed in various
relative positions with a removable pin (46) that may be inserted through
apertures of the rod
(42) and tube (44) that may be selectively aligned. Secondary length
adjustment may be
provided by a turnbuckle (48) which may be connected to the sling immediately
above or
below the adjustable length member (40).
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100361 Each lower flange of each lift beam (20, 22) supports a plurality of
slider assemblies
(50), which each have a first end (52) slidingly affixed to the lift beam (20,
22) lower flanges,
and a second end (54) comprising a lift shackle (56). The lift shackle (56)
provides the
connection to the module (M) being lifted.
100371 As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the number and placing
of the slider
assemblies is dependent upon the module (M) being lifted. In one exemplary
embodiment
shown in Figure 2, the module (M) comprises 6 columns along each longitudinal
side,
therefore, there are 6 slider assemblies on each lift beam, each of which
connects to a column.
In one embodiment, the slider assemblies on each lift beam are linearly
interconnected by
means of cables (58) or rods, so that the slider assemblies move in unison
along the length of
the lift beam, In other words, the distance between adjacent slider assemblies
remains
constant as they are moved along the lift beam.
[0038] In one embodiment, the lift assembly may comprise a plurality of legs
(70) along the
lift beams (20, 22) upon which the lift assembly may rest upon for storage
when the assembly
is not in use, These legs may be permanently attached in a position which does
not interfere
with the Use of the assembly, or may be detachable.
[00391 In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the lift beams (20, 22) are
of unitary
construction. In alternative embodiments, the lift beams may be multi-
component spliced
beams, which may provide the ability to shorten or lengthen the lift beams as
necessary or
desired.
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[0040] In operation, the lift assembly may be adjusted so as to place the COG
of the module
(M) immediately below (vertically aligned) with the centre of the upper lift
assembly, which
will be the midpoint of the spreader bar (14).
[0041] In the longitudinal direction, this may be accomplished by moving the
sliding
assemblies along each lift beam, such as by using a winch or other suitable
machine, until the
COG of the module is vertically aligned with the apex of the first and second
adapter plates,
as is shown in Figure 6.
[0042] In the transverse direction, this may be accomplished by lengthening or
shortening
the slings one of the lift beams, such as by moving the pin (46) from one
aperture to another
aperture of the adjustable length member (40) and using the turnbuckle (48).
As may be seen
in Figure 7, the COG of the module may be shifted towards the midpoint of the
spreader bar
(14) by shortening the adjustable length members (40) of the slings attached
between the -first
adapter plate (10) and the first lift beam (20) and/or lengthening the
adjustable length
members (40) of the slings attached between the second adapter plate (12) and
the second lift
beam (22). This shortening or lengthening of the adjustable length members
(40) of the slings
attached to a lift beam will modify the relative vertical position of a lift
beam, as compared to
the other lift beam.
[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 8-14,
the module lift
assembly comprises:
(a) a lift assembly (8);
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(b) a first longitudinal lift beam (20) and a second longitudinal lift beam
(22)
transversely separated from the first lift beam (20); and
(c) a :first plurality of slings (30) connecting the lift assembly
(8) to the first lift beam
(20), and a second plurality of slings (31) connecting the lift assembly (8)
to the
second lift beam (22), wherein each sling (30, 31) is pivotally connected to
the lift
assembly (8) and to the lift beam (20, 22) that is connected by the sling to
the lift
assembly, and comprises a plurality of pivotally connected segments (80, 82,
84),
wherein pivoting of the segments relative to each other, the lift assembly
(8), and
the lift beams (20, 22) allow the lift assembly (8) to be lowered and raised
relative
to the lift beams (20, 22).
[0044] The lift assembly (8) attaches to a crane hook (5) or other lifting
device. In one
embodiment as can be seen in Figures 10 and 12, the lift assembly (8)
comprises first and
second multipoint adapter plates (10, 12) separated by a transverse spreader
bar (14), and lift
ears (101). In embodiments, the lift assembly (8) and its constituent
components may have
features as described above in relation to the embodiments of the module lift
assembly shown
in Figure 2.
[0045] The first and second horizontal longitudinal lift beams (20, 22)
provide elongate
members to which the module is attached by the attachment means. In one
embodiment as
shown in Figure 8, the lift beams (20, 22) comprise 1-beams, and are
transversely separated by
transverse bracing (24) and diagonal bracing (26) to form a lift frame. In
embodiments, the lift
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frame and its constituent components may have features as described above in
relation to the
embodiments of the module lift assembly shown in Figure 2.
[0046] The attachment means permit the module to be attached to the lift beams
(20, 22). In
one embodiment, the attachment means comprise lift shackles (56) with attached
slider
assemblies (60), and may comprise additional features as described above in
relation to
embodiments of the module lift assembly show in Figure 2. In other
embodiments, the
attachment means may comprise any suitable means known in the art for
attaching the module
to the lift beams (20, 22).
[0047] The slings (30, 31) transfer the weight of module (M) from the first
and second lift
beams (20, 22) to the lift assembly (8). Each of the slings (30, 31) has one
end pivotally
connected to the lift assembly (8) and an opposite end pivotally connected to
first and second
lift beams (20, 22), respectively, so as to permit rotation of the segments
(80, 84) of the slings
(30, 31) about horizontal axes. In one embodiment as can be seen in Figures 10
and 12, the
end of each of the slings (30, 31) terminates in a loop (90) that is retained
by one of the pins or
bolts that separates the plates of the multipoint adapter plates (101) of the
lift assembly (8).
The opposite end of each of the slings (30, 31) terminates in a loop (92) that
is retained by the
removable pin (46) of an adjustable length member (40), as described above. In
other
embodiments, the slings (30, 31) may be pivotally connected to the lift beams
(20, 22) and the
lift assembly (8) using any suitable means known in the art, so long as such
connections allow
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the segments (80, 84) to rotate about horizontal axes, relative to the lift
assembly (8) and the
connected lift beams (20, 22).
[0048] Each of the slings (30, 31) is articulated, being formed by a plurality
of pivotally
connected segments, In one embodiment as can be seen in Figure 14, each sling
comprises
three segments (80, 82, 84). In other embodiments, each sling (30, 31) may
comprise two
segments or a greater number of segments. Each of the segments (80, 82, 84)
may be formed
by a length of wire rope. In one embodiment as can be seen in Figures 10 and
12, the adjacent
ends of connected segments (80, 82) terminate in loops (94, 96), and in other
embodiments,
may terminated in a wire rope end fitting. In one embodiment, a shackle (98)
passes through
both loops (94, 96) to pivotally connect segments (80, 82). Segments (82, 84)
of the slings
(30, 31) are pivotally connected to each other in the same manner. In other
embodiments, the
segments (80, 82, 84) may be pivotally connected to each other using any
suitable means
known in the art, so long as such connection allows the segments (80, 82, 84)
to rotate about
horizontal axes, relative to each other.
=
[0049] In an alternative embodiment as shown in Figure 15, two segments of a
sling may be =
pivotally connected by a double plate connector (100) comprising plates (102)
and (104),
which are integrally joined by a welded intermediate member (105). In one
embodiment, the
double plate connector has two pins (106), each of which retains one of the
segments and
spans between the plates (102, 104) so that the ends of the segments are
received between the
plates (102, 104). Each of the pins (106) has a bushing (108), and is retained
in an aperture
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formed in the plates (102, 104) by a snapper pin (110). In an alternative
embodiment as shown
in Figure 16, the two segments of a sling may be pivotally connected by a boom
pendant
thimble (120) comprising a first retaining member (122) and a second retaining
member
(124), pivotally connected by a clevis fastenener (126).
[0050] The use and operation of the embodiment of the module lift assembly
shown in
Figures 8 to 14 is now described. In Figure 8, the module lift assembly, as
shown in a stowed
configuration, rests on a plurality of transversely spanning beams (B) that in
turn, rest upon a
transporter (T). In embodiments, the transporter (T) may be a wheeled trailer
that may towed
by a truck, or may be a self-propelled modular transporter (SMPT) as is known
in the art.
Once the module lift assembly has been delivered to its desired destination,
the plurality of
legs (70) along the lift beams (20, 22) are lowered into position to support
the module lift
assembly on a ground surface. As shown in Figure 8, the transverse spreader
bar (14) rests on
a supporting structure (6) which comprises an "A" frame (6A) and a pair of
saddles (6B)
which contact and support the transverse spreader bar (14). The legs of the
"A" frame rest on
a pair of beams (7) that connect to the lift beams (20, 22).
[0051] In Figure 9, the transporter (T) has been lowered and moved away from
the module lift
assembly, the "A" frame (6) has also been removed, and a crane hook (5) is
attached by slings
(6, 7) to the lift ears (101). In Figures 9 and 10, the module lift assembly
is in an initial stowed
configuration. It will be noted that the slings (30, 31) are substantially
longitudinally aligned
with the connected lift beams (20, 22) and contained within the footprint of
the lift frame.
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Further, the lengths of the segments (80, 82, 84) of each sling (30, 31) are
selected such that
the segments (80, 82, 84) are in overlapping relation to each other and are in
a substantially
horizontal orientation. As used herein, two segments arc in "overlapping"
relation to each
other when a plane oriented perpendicularly to the elongate direction of at
least one of the
segments, intersects both segments. This allows the lift assembly (8) to be
disposed
immediately above the lift beams (20, 22) in a relatively compact vertical
configuration.
[0052] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the crane (not shown) has pulled
upwardly on the
crane hook (5) to move the module lift assembly into a first intermediate
configuration. The
pulling force of the crane is tTansmitted by the slings (6, 7) to the lift
assembly (8), and then
by the bolts or pins of the multipoint adapter plates (10, 12) to the
plurality of slings (30, 31).
The pivotal connections between the segments (80, 82, 84), the lift module
(8), the lift beams
(20, 22) and themselves allow the segments (80, 82, 84) to rotate into more
vertical
orientations while the lift beams (20, 22) remain resting on the ground
surface.
[00531 As shown in Figure 13, the continued upward pulling force applied by
the crane (not
shown) on the crane hook (5) has moved the module lift assembly into a second
intermediate
configuration. The pivoting of the segments (80, 82, 84) continues until the
module lift
assembly reaches a deployed configuration as shown in Figure 14. For efficient
use of each of
the slings (30, 31), the length of their segments (80, 82, 84) are selected so
that they aligned
collinearly in end-to-end fashion in the deployed configuration. In this
manner, each of the
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=
slings (30, 31) will be involved in transmitting the weight of the module (M)
from the lift
beams (20, 22) to the lift assembly (8).
[0054] Once the module lift assembly is in the deployed configuration, the
geometric
constraint imposed by the slings (30, 31) will prevent the continued upward
pulling force
applied by the crane (not shown) on the crane hook (5) from raising the lift
assembly (8)
relative to the lift beams (20, 22), Rather, the slings (30, 31) will transmit
the pulling force
from the lift assembly (8) to the lift beams (20, 21), so as to lift the
module lift assembly in its
entirety :from the ground surface. At this stage, the module lift assembly may
be positioned
over the module and the module can be secured to the lift beams (20, 22) by
the attachment
means. The centre of gravity (COO) of the module may then be aligned with the
lift assembly
(8) by making adjustments to the module lift assembly, in the same manner as
described
above in respect to the embodiment of the module lift assembly shown in Figure
2.
[0055] Once the module has been lifted, positioned in place, and detached from
the module
lift assembly, the crane (not shown) is used to lower the module lift assembly
to rest on the
ground surface. The pivotal connections between the segments (80, 82, 84), the
lift module
(8), the lift beams (20, 22) and themselves allow the segments (80, 82, 84) to
rotate into more
horizontal orientations while the lift beams (20, 22) remain resting on the
ground surface,
until the module lift assembly returns to the stowed configuration as shown in
Figure 9, with
the transverse spreader bar (14) resting on the saddles (6A, 6B) of the
supporting structure (6).
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[0056] It will be apparent that the embodiment of the module lift assembly
shown in Figures 8
to 14 can be conveniently folded into a relatively compact configuration so
that it may be
stored or transported on a transporter, and then unfolded in an expanded
deployed
configuration when ready for use. In particular, the module lift assembly
avoids the need to
detach the slings (30, 31) from the module lift assembly prior to its storage
and transport since
the slings (30, 31) may be configured to remain within the footprint of the
lift frame at all
times.
[0057] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications,
adaptations and
variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing
from the scope
of the invention claimed herein.
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