REMOTELY OPERABLE MECHANISM FOR DISCONNECTING A PICKUP UNIT FROM A TILT-UP CONCRETE WALL SLAB

摘要

A remotely operable mechanism for disconnecting an elevated pickup unit component of lifting apparatus from a tilt-up concrete wall slab in raised position following a lifting operation, the pickup unit being connected to the slab by fastening means engaging an insert embedded in the slab wall, includes a manipulating pole serving as an operating handle, and a flexible fastener coupling tool having a proximal and removably connected to one end of the pole and a free distal end opposite thereto, the connected pole end being uppermost on the pole in use. The tool has at its distal end a head releasably engageable with the fastening means and operable for disengaging the same from the insert to thereby release the pickup for removal from the wall slab. The tool includes a universal joint extending between and flexibly coupling the head and the proximal end of the tool, whereby the tool may be rotated by rotation of the pole while the pole is angularly disposed relative to the axis of rotation of the head. The tool also includes spring means interposed between the head and the proximal end of the tool for extending the tool coaxially with the pole while enabling the tool to bend for engaging the head with the fastening means. The tool head is movable into its engagement with the fastening means and operable when the latter is disposed at a location above and remote from an operator of the mechanism by manipulation including rotation of the pole grasped adjacent to its lower end.