Method of and apparatus for erectign concrete wall panels

Abstract

A concrete slab or panel poured in its horizontal position is fitted with anchor inserts embedded in the concrete that receive releasable pickup units or devices for connection of the panel to a hoist. Each insert has a tubular member of a relatively short length to which a hollow plastic mold is attached that extends into the panel. The mold for the most part remains in the panel and forms a cavity into which part of the pickup device extends. The pickup device has a trunion plate that is placed across the insert opening in the panel. A housing extends through a hole in the trunnion plate into the insert and defines an internal cavity disposed inwardly of the insert. A bore communicates an end of the housing outside the panel with the housing cavity. An axially movable actuator rod or plunger is disposed in the bore and includes a head disposed in the cavity and formed of contiguous cylindrical and conical portions. A plurality of lugs are movably mounted in housing cutouts that extend radially outward of the cavity and such lugs have sides facing the plunger head which are, respectively, parallel to the cylindrical and the conical portions of the plunger head for cooperation therewith so that the lugs are moved radially outward of the housing by the cooperating conical portion of the head and the angularly inclined lug sides. The lugs are locked in their extended position by the interengagement of the cylindrical head portion and corresponding straight lug sides. Pawls cooperate with the lugs and the plunger to retract the former in response to a pawl retracting motion of the plunger.