Patent application title: Transfer Device
Inventors:
Dwight Witherspoon (Huntington Beach, CA, US)
IPC8 Class: AE04G2114FI
USPC Class:
104113
Class name: Railways cable rails gravity
Publication date: 2011-09-29
Patent application number: 20110232520
Abstract:
A transfer device has a roof fixture adapted to be secured to a roof and
protrude upwardly. A first support cable is connected to the roof fixture
at a first support cable upper end and a second support cable connected
to the roof fixture at a second support cable upper end. A control line
has a first segment at a first end and a second segment at a second end.
A first carrier is suspended from the first support cable via a first
trolley, and the first carrier is connected to the first segment of the
control line. The first carrier comprises a tray structure having a first
cavity for receiving articles. The first carrier has a tray which is
pivotally connected to the first carrier to allow pivotal dumping of the
contents from the first tray.Claims:
1. A transfer device comprising: a. a roof fixture adapted to be secured
to a roof and protrude upwardly; b. a first support cable connected to
the roof fixture at a first support cable upper end and a second support
cable connected to the roof fixture at a second support cable upper end;
c. a control line having a first segment at a first end and a second
segment at a second end; d. a first carrier suspended from the first
support cable via a first trolley, wherein the first carrier is connected
to the first segment of the control line, wherein the first carrier
comprises a tray structure having a first cavity for receiving articles;
and e. a second carrier suspended from the second support cable via a
second trolley, wherein the second carrier is connected to the second
segment of the control line, wherein the second carrier comprises a tray
structure having a second cavity for receiving articles; and f. a first
support cable lower end connected to a first receiver; g. a second
support cable lower end connected to a second receiver.
2. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising: a plastic liner disposed within the first carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the first cavity while the first carrier is lowering.
3. The transfer device of claim 2, further comprising: a plastic liner disposed within the second carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the second cavity while the second carrier is lowering.
4. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising: a bin pole mounted on the first receiver, wherein the bin pole protrudes upwardly from the first receiver.
5. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising: a tray bumper mounted on the first receiver, wherein the tray bumper is configured to bump the bottom of the tray when the tray is raised to a higher position so that the tray latches to the higher position and is secured in the higher position.
6. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a trip mechanism comprising a trip finger latching to the tray to retain the tray in a horizontal position.
7. The transfer device of claim 6, further comprising a trip frame, wherein the trip finger is mounted to the trip frame, wherein the trip frame is pivotally mounted to a tray frame of the first carrier, wherein the trip finger has an engaged position engaging with the tray and a disengaged position which is disengaged from the tray, wherein the tray falls to a dumping position from a holding position when the trip finger changes from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
8. The transfer device of claim 7, further comprising: a trip plate, wherein the trip plate is connected to the trip frame, wherein the trip plate is actuated upon the descent of the first carrier.
9. A transfer device comprising: a. a roof fixture adapted to be secured to a roof and protrude upwardly; b. a first support cable connected to the roof fixture at a first support cable upper end and a second support cable connected to the roof fixture at a second support cable upper end; c. a control line having a first segment at a first end and a second segment at a second end; d. a first carrier suspended from the first support cable via a first trolley, wherein the first carrier is connected to the first segment of the control line, wherein the first carrier comprises a tray structure having a first cavity for receiving articles, wherein the first carrier has a tray which is pivotally connected to the first carrier to allow pivotal dumping of the contents from the first tray; e. a second carrier suspended from the second support cable via a second trolley, wherein the second carrier is connected to the second segment of the control line, wherein the second carrier comprises a tray structure having a second cavity for receiving articles, wherein the second carrier has a second tray which is pivotally connected to the second carrier to allow pivotal dumping of contents from the second tray; and f. a first support cable lower end connected to a first receiver; g. a second support cable lower end connected to a second receiver.
10. The transfer device of claim 9, further comprising: a first liner disposed within the first carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the first cavity while the first carrier is lowering.
11. The transfer device of claim 10, further comprising: a second liner disposed within the second carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the second cavity while the second carrier is lowering, wherein the second liner folds up in clamshell motion.
12. The transfer device of claim 10, further comprising: a bin pole mounted on the first receiver, wherein the bin pole protrudes upwardly from the first receiver.
13. The transfer device of claim 10, further comprising: a tray bumper mounted on the first receiver, wherein the tray bumper is configured to bump the bottom of the tray when the tray is raised to a higher position so that the tray latches to the higher position and is secured in the higher position.
14. The transfer device of claim 13, further comprising a trip mechanism comprising a trip finger latching to the tray to retain the tray in a horizontal position.
15. The transfer device of claim 14, further comprising a trip frame, wherein the trip finger is mounted to the trip frame, wherein the trip frame is pivotally mounted to a tray frame of the first carrier, wherein the trip finger has an engaged position engaging with the tray and a disengaged position which is disengaged from the tray, wherein the tray falls to a dumping position from a holding position when the trip finger changes from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
16. The transfer device of claim 15, further comprising: a trip plate, wherein the trip plate is connected to the trip frame, wherein the trip plate is actuated upon the descent of the first carrier, further comprising a first liner disposed within the first carrier, wherein the first liner includes at least one handle that is retained to the first carrier at least one handle hook.
17. A transfer device comprising: a. a roof fixture adapted to be secured to a roof and protrude upwardly, wherein the roof fixture comprises a main pole braced by a pair of brace poles, wherein the main pole is mounted on a first mounting plate, and wherein the pair of brace poles are mounted on a second mounting plate; b. a first support cable connected to the roof fixture at a first support cable upper end and a second support cable connected to the roof fixture at a second support cable upper end; .c. a control line having a first segment at a first end and a second segment at a second end; d. a first carrier suspended from the first support cable via a first trolley, wherein the first carrier is connected to the first segment of the control line, wherein the first carrier comprises a tray structure having a first cavity for receiving articles, wherein the first carrier has a tray which is pivotally connected to the first carrier to allow pivotal dumping of the contents from the first tray; e. a second carrier suspended from the second support cable via a second trolley, wherein the second carrier is connected to the second segment of the control line, wherein the second carrier comprises a tray structure having a second cavity for receiving articles, wherein the second carrier has a second tray which is pivotally connected to the second carrier to allow pivotal dumping of contents from the second tray; and f. a first support cable lower end connected to a first receiver; g. a second support cable lower end connected to a second receiver.
18. The transfer device of claim 17, further comprising: a liner disposed within the first carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the first cavity while the first carrier is lowering; and a liner disposed within the second carrier, wherein the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the second cavity while the second carrier is lowering, wherein the first liner folds up in clamshell motion and includes first liner handles for carrying.
19. The transfer device of claim 17, further comprising: a bin pole mounted on the first receiver, wherein the bin pole protrudes upwardly from the first receiver; and further comprising: a tray bumper mounted on the first receiver, wherein the tray bumper is configured to bump the bottom of the tray when the tray is raised to a higher position so that the tray latches to the higher position and is secured in the higher position.
20. The transfer device of claim 17, further comprising a trip mechanism comprising a trip finger latching to the tray to retain the tray in a horizontal position; and further comprising a trip frame, wherein the trip finger is mounted to the trip frame, wherein the trip frame is pivotally mounted to a tray frame of the first carrier, wherein the trip finger has an engaged position engaging with the tray and a disengaged position which is disengaged from the tray, wherein the tray falls to a dumping position from a holding position when the trip finger changes from the engaged position to the disengaged position; further comprising: a trip plate, wherein the trip plate is connected to the trip frame, wherein the trip plate is actuated upon the descent of the first carrier.
Description:
[0001] This application claims priority from Dwight Witherspoon's
provisional application Center Ser. No. 61/396,182 filed May 24, 2010,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of transfer devices, more specifically for a gravity driven collection device.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] A variety of roofing work is only possible when a roof is removed. For example, an old-roof that may no longer be to code may need to be removed. Roof removal has always been a dirty, difficult and unsafe job. Once the old roof has been pried up, it must be carried, usually in a plastic tarp, from the back of the building, over the top and down to the front edge, and then thrown into the trash bin. At times, the dump truck cannot get close to the building making the job twice as difficult and time consuming, as the loaded tarp must be dropped down, and carried out to the dump truck. Also, the debris needs to be distributed evenly in a large bin, or in two separate bins for recycling purposes. Because of these difficulties, insurance premiums have been historically high for roofing work.
[0004] A variety of transferring systems have been made in the prior art for transporting bulk materials, such as Rochel U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,594 issued in 1915 entitled Coal Transferring Apparatus, provides two buckets that ride on cables connected to yardarms on masts, and are moved by winding cables on power driven wind-up drums. The buckets are dumped at nearly the same place, as the cables they ride on must be connected to the same yardarm. Massey in
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,804,175 issued in 1930 entitled Tower Excavator describes a bulk transfer system using only one bucket being pulled on cables. A tower must be equipped with a power driven wind-up drum which pulls the bucket to one location. Bruce in U.S. Pat. No. 309,445 issued in 1888 entitled Fire Escape provides a transfer system with two baskets secured to an endless rope. This requires a person on the ground to operate a brake. The baskets arrive within four feet from each other where the rope is attached to a frame.
[0006] Although a variety of transfer systems have been made in a prior art, what is needed is a device that makes roof removal easier. While a variety of different mechanisms exist for transporting other types materials, a transfer system of the present invention more particularly suited for roof debris removal is currently lacking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A transfer device has a roof fixture adapted to be secured to a roof and protrude upwardly. A first support cable is connected to the roof fixture at a first support cable upper end and a second support cable connected to the roof fixture at a second support cable upper end. A control line has a first segment at a first end and a second segment at a second end. A first carrier is suspended from the first support cable via a first trolley, and the first carrier is connected to the first segment of the control line. The first carrier comprises a tray structure having a first cavity for receiving articles. The first carrier has a tray which is pivotally connected to the first carrier to allow pivotal dumping of the contents from the first tray.
[0008] A second carrier is suspended from the second support cable via a second trolley. The second carrier is connected to the second segment of the control line. The second carrier comprises a tray structure having a second cavity for receiving articles. The second carrier has a second tray which is pivotally connected to the second carrier to allow pivotal dumping of contents from the second tray. A first support cable lower end is connected to a first receiver. A second support cable lower end is connected to a second receiver.
[0009] Optionally, a liner is disposed within the first carrier. Preferably, the plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the first cavity while the first carrier is lowering. A liner is disposed within the second carrier. The plastic liner is shaped for receiving articles and remains within the second cavity while the second carrier is lowering. A bin pole is mounted on the first receiver, and the bin pole protrudes upwardly from the first receiver. A tray bumper is mounted on the first receiver. The tray bumper is configured to bump the bottom of the tray when the tray is raised to a higher position so that the tray latches to the higher position and is secured in the higher position.
[0010] A trip mechanism includes a trip finger latching to the tray to retain the tray in a horizontal position. The trip finger is mounted to the trip frame. The trip frame is pivotally mounted to a tray frame of the first carrier. The trip finger has an engaged position engaging with the tray and a disengaged position which is disengaged from the tray. The tray falls to a dumping position from a holding position when the trip finger changes from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The transfer device also preferably includes a trip plate. The trip plate can be connected to the trip frame, and the trip plate is actuated upon the descent of the first carrier.
[0011] The structure of the roof fixture adapted to be secured to a roof and protrude upwardly preferably includes a main pole braced by a pair of brace poles, so that the main pole is mounted on a first mounting plate, and so that the pair of brace poles are mounted on a second mounting plate.
[0012] A user can put debris or other articles into a plastic liner and fold up the plastic liner in a clamshell like motion and carry the liner like a suitcase to the tray. In summary, the invention should allow a person to load debris in a plastic liner, fold it up, carry it to a fixture at the rooftop, unfold it, place it in a tray, push a lever, and watch it roll down a cable to a collection device, automatically empty its contents, while automatically pulling up an empty tray in seconds. The apparatus, which can be commercialized under the trademark of Zipzway® preferably includes multiple plastic liners which preferably nest in a stack and when needed can be filled with debris then folded up, with the debris inside, and carried across the roof The liner is then opened and placed on a device that will carry the roofing debris form the top of the roof, over bushes, fences and other obstacles, safely to the dump truck, even when the truck is unable to get close to the building.
[0013] A number of liners can also be nested in one of the trays for return to the top of the roof, and they can also be hooked to the tray in a nested position. The apparatus preferably does not use any power driven wind-up drum, although it could. Once the tray is released at the rooftop, the cable is preferably oriented so that it needs no operator on the ground. The tray is preferably is automatically tripped, dumping the contents, and automatically brought back to the rooftop. Also, the liner can be filled with debris, then folded up and easily carried by the handles to the roof fixture, and placed in the tray to be carried down to the trash bin, thus replacing the cumbersome tarps. The trays are preferably oriented at an angle so that the carriers can be moved to two separate locations, such as when a pair of receivers such as a pair of light trucks are parked along a street and are receiving sorted materials into each truck.
[0014] An object of the invention is to have a transfer device which requires and preferably does not use a power driven wind-up drum, or other type of electric motor. Once the apparatus is installed on a rooftop, the tray can be released at the rooftop without an operator on the ground. The tray is preferably is automatically tripped, dumping the contents, and automatically brought back to the rooftop. Also, the liner can be filled with debris, then folded up and easily carried by the handles to the roof fixture, and placed in the tray to be carried down to the trash bin, thus replacing the cumbersome tarps currently used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram that shows the lower carrier's trip frame about to hit the bin pole arm, while the upper carrier's tray about to be pushed to a horizontal position by the tray bumper.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram that shows the lower carrier's tray emptied, while the upper tray is captured by the clam catch.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram that shows the liner in the open position, then in the closed or folded position, with folding lines shown in the middle of the liner.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows how the liner handle cutouts fit over the tray hooks as the liner is placed inside the tray.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram that shows a close up of the tray hooks and the liner.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram that shows the liner securely inside the tray.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram that shows the roof fixture.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram that shows the tray about to be pushed to a horizontal position by the tray bumper.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram that shows the tray after it has been righted by the tray bumper, pushed up by the tray lift to engage trip frame, and captured by the clam catch.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a diagram that shows a top view of the carrier's catch plates about to engage the clam catch.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a diagram that shows a top view of the carrier's catch plates pushing open the clam catch.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a diagram that shows a top view of the carrier's catch plates captured by the clam catch.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a diagram that shows the lower carrier's trip frame about to hit the bin pole arm.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a diagram that shows the lower carrier's tray emptied.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a diagram that shows a top view of the roof fixture on a roof with the support cables attached to two bins with the carriers moving on them.
[0030] The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide for referencing the elements in the drawings.
[0031] 1 Transfer Device
[0032] 2 Roof Fixture
[0033] 3 Main Pole
[0034] 4 Brace Pole
[0035] 5 Mount Plate
[0036] 6 Swivel Bracket
[0037] 7 Bracket Pin
[0038] 8 Pin Hole
[0039] 9 Nail Hole
[0040] 10 Tray Bumper
[0041] 11 Tray Lift
[0042] 12 Clam Catch
[0043] 13 Spring Hinge
[0044] 14 Control Pulley
[0045] 15 Control Line
[0046] 16 Eye Bolt
[0047] 17 Support Cable
[0048] 18 Carrier
[0049] 19 Tray
[0050] 20 Tray Lip
[0051] 21 Tray Hook
[0052] 22 Axel Plate
[0053] 23 Axel Rod
[0054] 24 Tray Frame
[0055] 25 Catch Plate
[0056] 26 Bolt
[0057] 27 Trolley
[0058] 28 Trip Finger
[0059] 29 Trip Frame
[0060] 30 Trip Plate
[0061] 31 Liner
[0062] 32 Flexible Fold
[0063] 33 Handle Cutout
[0064] 34 Bin
[0065] 35 Bin Pole
[0066] 36 U-Bolt
[0067] 37 Bin Pole Arm
[0068] 38 Arm Pad
[0069] 39 Clevis Pin
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0070] The transfer device 1 is a device configured and designed to carry roof debris from the top of a roof down to a trash bin 34. The roof fixture 2 is designed to have a sturdy base mounted on a rooftop, such as at a peak of a roof
[0071] The main pole 3 provides a frame to receive an anchoring connection for the support cable 17 and control line 15 at the rooftop. The main pole 3 may be tubing and may comprise of strong, lightweight hard metal. The main pole 3 preferably extends generally vertically from the mount plate 5 which is mounted to the roof such as by nails through nail holes 9. The one or more brace poles 4 can be designed to hold the main pole 3 in a vertical position. The brace pole 4 may comprise of strong, lightweight hard metal. The mount plate 5 is designed to be fastened to the roof deck, while accommodating the main pole 3 and brace pole 4. The mount plate 5 could be made of wood or metal such as aluminum. The swivel bracket 6 is designed for a means of connecting the main pole 3 and brace pole 4 to the mount plate 5. The swivel bracket may be constructed of hard metal. The bracket pin 7 is designed to go through the pole and swivel bracket 6 two provide a pivotal connection. The bracket pin may be constructed of hard metal. The pin hole 8 allows the pin to slide through the openings on the bracket. The nail hole 9 is sized to receive nails that secure the mount plate 5 to the roof deck.
[0072] The trays are pivotally mounted to tray frames which are suspended from a control line. The tray bumper 10 is designed for righting the tray 19 as it arrives at the rooftop. The tray bumper 10 may be tubing and may be constructed of strong, lightweight hard metal. The tray lift 11 is designed so as when pushed, it will lift the tray 19 up to engage the trip finger 28 which caches and retains the tray. The tray lift 11 may be constructed of plastic or hard metal. The clam catch 12 is designed for catching and holding the tray 19. The clam catch 12 may be constructed of a plastic or any hard metal. The spring hinge 13 is designed to allow the clam catch 12 and the tray lift 11 to move, then spring back to its original position. The spring hinge is preferably constructed of any hard metal. The spring hinge is preferably spring biased by a spring mounted within the spring hinge. The spring in the spring hinge can be a helical or leaf spring.
[0073] The control pulley 14 is a spool mounted on a rotating connection which receives the control line and is designed to allow the control line 15 to pass through. The control pulley 14 may be constructed of any metal or plastic material such as aluminum. The control line 15 is designed to be connected to each tray 19, allowing one tray to pull the other. The control line may be made of any commonly and commercially known rope or cable. The eye bolt 16 is designed to be connected to the main pole 3, tray frame 24 and bin pole, for a means of connecting cables, lines and trolley. The support cable 17 is designed for the trolley 27 to roll on. The support cable 17 may comprise of aircraft cable or the like. The carrier 18 is designed for holding and moving debris, and the ability to dump its contents when desired. The tray 19 is designed to hold debris or a liner 31 filled with debris. The tray 19 may comprise any hard metal, plastic or wood. The tray lip 20 is designed to protrude out and with an indentation on the underside for the trip finger to fit into. The tray lip 20 may comprise any hard metal, plastic or wood. The tray hook 21 is designed to hold the liner 31 in the tray 19. The tray hook 21 may comprise any hard metal, plastic or wood. The axel plate 22 is designed to allow the axel rod to pass through. The axel plate 22 may comprise of any hard metal. The axel rod 23 is designed to allow the tray to swing. The axel rod 23 is preferably made of metal such as a thick gauge aluminum tube or rod.
[0074] The tray frame 24 is designed to hold the tray 19 while having a connection to the support cable 17. The tray frame 24 may be U shaped, with one end longer than the other. The tray frame 24 is preferably made of tubing and may comprise of strong, lightweight metal. The tray frame 24 is connected to the tray at a bottom end of the tray, but can also be connected to the tray at an upper edge of the tray, such as on a left or right side of the rim of the tray. The tray frame can be made in a variety of different shapes as long as it provides pivotal connection between the tray and trolley 27. The tray frame can also be made of woven rope which suspends the tray.
[0075] The catch plate 25 is designed with two pieces joined together at one end in the shape of a V, and attached to the tray frame 24. The catch plate 25 may comprise any hard metal. The bolt 26 is designed to attach the two catch plates 25 together. The bolt 26 may comprise any hard metal. The trolley 27 is designed to retain the carrier 18 while rolling on the support cable 17. The carrier 18 hangs from the trolley 27. The trolley optionally includes speed control according to what is known in the art. Optionally, the clam catch and catch plate can be reversed in position such that the clam catch is mounted to the tray frame 24 and the catch plate is mounted to the main pole 3.
[0076] The trip finger 28 retains the tray in a carrying position, which is angled and generally horizontal. The trip finger 28 is designed to fit in and indentation on the underside of the tray lip 20 to allow release of the trip finger to dump the tray contents at a terminal end of the tray travel. The trip finger 28 can be made of any hard metal. The trip frame 29 is designed with the trip finger 28 at the bottom, the trip plate 30 at the top, and a bracket pin 7 through the middle allowing it to swing. The trip frame 29 may comprise any hard metal. The trip plate 30 is designed to be attached to the top of the trip frame 29, and when the trip plate 30 runs into the arm pad 38 on the bin pole arm 37 it will empty the contents of the tray 19. The trip plate 30 may comprise any hard metal. The liner 31 is designed to lie flat while being filled with debris, then folded up much like a suitcase, and easily carried by the handles across the roof holding the debris inside, then opened and placed into the tray 19. The liner 31 is preferably sized and shaped similarly to the tray 19, but may be a different shape. The liner 31 may comprise any plastic, metal or wood. The flexible fold 32 is designed to allow the liner 31 to fold while keeping the debris inside. The flexible fold 32 may comprise any flexible material such as plastic or rubber. The handle cutout 33 is designed for a means to easily carry the liner 31. The bin 34 is any trash receptacle. The bin pole 35 is designed for attaching the support cable 17 and is mounted to the wall of the bin 34. The bin pole 35 may be tubing and may comprise strong, lightweight metal. The U-bolt 36 is designed to fasten the bin pole 35 to the bin 34. The U-bolt may comprise any hard metal. The bin pole arm 37 is designed to extend out from the top of the bin pole 35 toward the roof fixture 2 and hit the trip plate 30 when the carrier 18 arrives at the bin 34. The bin pole arm 37 may be tubing and may comprise strong, lightweight metal. The arm pad 38 is designed to soften the blow when the trip plate 30 hits the bin pole arm. The arm pad 38 may comprise any soft yet durable rubber or plastic. The clevis pin 39 is designed to quickly secure the axel rod 23 after inserting through the axel plate 22. The clevis pin 39 may comprise any hard metal.
[0077] The components are connected as follows. The roof fixture 2 has the main pole 3 being about 6 feet high, and has an eye bolt 16 at a top end where the support cable 17 is attached. The main pole 3 will have a second eye bolt 16 about 5 feet high to attach the control pulley 14. The main pole 3 will have a clam catch 12 attached with a clam hinge 13 at about 4 feet high. The main pole 3 will have two brace poles 4 attached at about 31/2 feet high. The bottom of the main pole 3 will be attached to a mount plate 5 connecting the bottom of the pole with a bracket pin 7 through the pin hole 8 on the swivel bracket 6. The two brace poles 4 have bolts 26 connecting them to the main pole 3. The lower ends of the brace poles 4 will be attached to a mount plate 5 with a bracket pin 7 through the pin hole 8 on the swivel bracket 6. One end of the support cable 17 is connected to the eye bolt 16 on the top of the main pole 3. The other end of the support cable 17 is connected to the eye bolt 16 on the bin pole 35. Each end of the control line 15 is connected to the eye bolt 16 on each of the tray frames 24. The tray frame 24 will have a pin 7 the upper end holding the trip frame 29, allowing it to swivel. The tray frame 24 will have two eye bolts 16 at the top. Connected to the eye bolts 16 will be the trolley 27 which rides on the support cable 17. The tray frame 24 will have two catch plates 25 connected to it with bolts 26. The tray frame 24 will have an axel 23 through it at the lower end. The tray 19 will be connected to an axel plate 22. The tray will have two tray hooks 21 welded to it. The axel plates 22 will allow the axel 23 to slide through them. The tray hooks 21 will allow the handle cutouts in the liner 31 to go over them. The trip plate 30 and the trip finger 28 will be welded to the trip frame 29. The bin pole 35 is connected to the bin 34 with two U-bolts. The bin pole arm 37 will be welded to the bin pole 35. The arm pad will be inserted into the tubular bin pole 35. It is preferred that the trip mechanism comprising the trip finger 28 and the trip frame 29 and the trip plate 30 be assembled first and then tentatively connected by the pin 7.
[0078] The roof fixture is secured on top of a roof. One end of each of a pair of support cables is attached to the fixture; the other ends are secured to two separate collection devices or one large collection device at ground level such as dump trucks or a bin. A carrier moves on each one of the cables between the fixture and the collection device. The carriers are mutually interconnected by a control line that runs through a pulley on the fixture so that when one carrier is moving downwardly on its support cable, it pulls the other carrier upwardly on its support cable. This is possible because the downward carrier holds roofing materials and is therefore heavier than the empty carrier. When an empty carrier reaches the fixture, it is captured and held in a position ready for loading. When a full carrier reaches the bottom it is tripped so as to dump its load of roofing materials into the collection device and is then ready to be pulled up again by the loaded carrier when it starts down.
[0079] All the poles, braces, bumper, lifts and the tray frame preferably will be made of aluminum tubing. Some tubing will have holes drilled and the tray frame will be bent about 180 degrees. The plates preferably will be aluminum with holes drilled and swivel brackets welded. All bolts, eye bolts and U-bolts will be of the high quality machine type. The support cables will be of the high quality aircraft type. The control line will be braided nylon rope.
[0080] The use of the invention requires assembly. A user would nail one mount plate at the middle of the rooftop preferably at the ridge. Then the user can attach the main pole to it with the pin through the pinhole of the swivel bracket. The main pole will be lowered in the direction of the bin, laying flat on the roof. The two brace poles will then be bolted on both sides of the main pole. The mount plates will be pinned to both brace poles. One person will lift the main pole to a vertical position while the other person places the brace pole mount plates about six feet apart, and then fasten them to the roof deck. The bin pole will then be U-bolted to the bin with the bin pole arm pointed at the roof fixture. One end of each of the support cables will be fastened to each of the bin poles on the eye bolts, and the other ends will be carried up to the roof fixture and fastened to the main pole on the eye bolt. Each of the carrier's trolley would be mounted on each of the support cables, and then a control line is attached to each tray frame and the control pulley. One of the carriers would be brought up to the roof fixture to engage the catch plates with the clam catch. The `Zipzway` is now ready for a liner filled with debris to be placed inside the tray, and the clam catch released, causing the carrier to move downward and dumping its contents into the bin while bringing the empty carrier up to the roof fixture.
[0081] The control line is typically the same length as the support cable if the first and second support cables are separate members. The control line can also have a length of approximately half of the length of the support cable if a single continuous support cable is used for both runs. If the control line has a length of approximately half of the length of the support cable, the first carrier will pull the second carrier to a return position from the lower deployed position. The support cable is made of a pair of sections, namely a first section and a second section. The first section can be called the first support cable and the second section can be called the second support cable. Preferably, the first support cable and the second support cable are made of a single continuous cable which is connected at a pole portion of the roof fixture. The pole protrudes from the roof fixture. The control line has a pair of segments, namely a first segment connected to the first carrier and a second segment connected to the second carrier. The first segment of the control line is connected to the second segment of the control line at the pulley. It is preferred that the first segment and the second segment of the control are continuous such that the control line has only a single continuous line.
[0082] The slope of the line need not be entirely taught and there may be substantial slack. As the line reaches the bin for receiving the articles, the area near the receiver bin will have a slope that is less than the slope at the top of the roof. The lower slope of the control line and support cable at the receiver bin will provide a slowdown of the transfer device. The tension in the line can be adjusted to adjust the slope and speed of the transfer device.
[0083] After assembly, the device can be used to move anything downward on a downhill plane because the device is gravity driven. For example, the invention could be adapted to transfer of other types of articles such as for moving parts in a warehouse or supplies on a construction site as well as many areas in the demolition trade.
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