The Sign Hoist is a new piece of equipment for erecting signs and for raising other objects to height. It makes use of the sign’s posts, not a separate crane which means that no heavy plant is needed for sign erection, thereby saving time and money.
Targeted are sign erectors, highway construction and maintenance contractors and local authorities, for example, a unit has been sold to contractor Colas, Area 20 in Newcastle, UK.
A major advantage of the system over using conventional cranes, in addition to the fact that there is no crane rental cost, is that no road lane closure is needed to accommodate a crane during erection, thereby also minimising disruption and traffic congestion, a particular benefit in confined urban environments. It also means that signs can be erected at any time of day, rather than just when traffic disruption is minimal. Access is needed to the top of the sign posts for attaching and removing the hoists and, as with conventional sign erection, access is needed for a worker to secure the sign panels when they have been positioned.
The hoists, tested to an SWL of 200kg each (400kg a pair), are clamped to the top of the sign’s posts and then the ropes, running through pulleys, are connected to the sign panels on the ground which can then be hoisted into position by hand. As an option each hoist can be fitted with an electric 110V winch on the cross member if required. To save time and to simplify installation hand cranks are supplied for doing up the clamps and the brackets have quick-release fittings so there are no nuts, washers or spanners to complicate operation.
Sign Hoist fits steel posts or poles with a section between 76mm and 400mm, whether round or square, box-section or channel – basically any object strong enough to support a lift, Sign Hoist inventor David Wilson claims. To adapt the Sign Hoist to fit RSJs and concrete posts the standard short bolts are substituted with a set of long ones.
The standard kit includes a pair of sign hoist units (each weighing 9kg), two sign plate quick release clamping brackets which slide into the sign plate backing strip and lock on, all rope, shackles, pulleys and adaptors. This set, weighing 20kg, is packed into a wooden case measuring 850mm x 500mm x 150mm. The full set, including pads and attachments, weighs 25kg and in addition to the posts covered by the standard kit allows attachment to RSJs and concrete posts.
Wilson, an inventor and senior highways supervisor responsible for sign erection, is looking for a manufacturer and distributors for the Sign Hoist.
