Portable, collapsible hoist apparatus

Abstract

A hoist apparatus for lifting objects up the side of a building or the like and swinging the objects onto the roof or other surface. The hoist can be erected and operated by one person and can be folded into a compact, easily moved, package. A pair of spaced triangular leg assemblies are typically clamped to the edged of the roof parapet in a spaced relationship. Each triangular assembly when installed for this use is made up of a first leg formed by one beam that is a vertical portion of the clamp and a flexible extension, such as a chain, extending from the lower end of the beam, a second leg secured at one end to the free end of the extension and a third leg pivotally connected between the second ends of the first and second legs, forming a triangle with an acute angle between the second and third legs. A cross beam extends between the second and third leg connections and is adapted to carry a hoist, typically a block and tackle arrangement. In use, the hoist is attached to an object on the ground and lifts the object up the side of the structure to just above the roof edge. The beam is pulled toward the roof edge and the triangle moves over center and reverses so that the beam is over the roof, so that the hoist can lower the object onto the roof. At least some of the legs are telescoping and the beam-to-leg connections are foldable. The clamp assembly is foldable into a compact package, so that a single person can erect and install the hoist apparatus, lift objects onto or off of the structure, then dismount and carry the components down a ladder, stairwell or the like.