Panel Lifting Device

Abstract

A panel lifting device includes a rigid beam and a roller coupled to the beam. The panel lifting device is pivotable at a fulcrum. A beam body includes an upper foot platform. The upper foot platform may have a width gradually increasing from the proximal end of the beam body toward the distal end of the beam body. The roller may be coupled to the beam by opposite tabs extending inward from opposite side walls and received in open ends of the roller. The opposite tabs may be integrally formed with the side walls. A rigid wing may extend downward from the upper foot platform adjacent the roller and opposing an outer circumferential surface of the roller. The rigid beam may be a single, one-piece, integrally formed component formed from a single sheet of metal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel lifting device comprising:
 a rigid beam including opposite proximal and distal ends and a length with a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, the rigid beam including a beam body having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a flange at the distal end of the beam body configured to support a panel in an elevated position; and   a roller coupled to the beam,   wherein the panel lifting device is pivotable at a fulcrum,   wherein the rigid beam has a longitudinal load portion extending proximally from the fulcrum to the proximal end of the rigid beam, and a longitudinal effort portion extending distally from the fulcrum to the distal end of the rigid beam,   wherein the beam body includes an upper foot platform, the upper foot platform having a width gradually increasing from the proximal end of the beam body toward the distal end of the beam body.   
     
     
         2 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein an area of the upper foot platform at the longitudinal effort portion is greater than an area of the upper foot platform at the longitudinal load portion. 
     
     
         3 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal effort portion has a mass that is greater than a mass of the longitudinal load portion. 
     
     
         4 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the width of the upper foot platform at the distal end of the rigid beam is at least about 50% greater than the width of the upper foot platform at the proximal end of the rigid beam. 
     
     
         5 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the width of the upper foot platform at the distal end of the rigid beam is about 100% greater than the width of the upper foot platform at the proximal end of the rigid beam. 
     
     
         6 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the beam body has opposing side walls depending downward from opposite sides of the upper foot platform, wherein the roller is coupled to the beam by opposite tabs extending inward from the opposite side walls and being received in open ends of the roller, wherein the opposite tabs are integrally formed with the side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper foot platform defines a plurality of through openings at the longitudinal load portion. 
     
     
         8 . A panel lifting device comprising:
 a rigid beam including opposite proximal and distal ends and a length with a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, the rigid beam including a beam body having an upper foot platform and opposing side walls depending downward from opposite sides of the upper foot platform, and a flange at the distal end of the beam body configured to support a panel in an elevated position; and   a roller coupled to the beam, wherein the roller is coupled to the beam by opposite tabs extending inward from the opposite side walls and being received in open ends of the roller, wherein the opposite tabs are integrally formed with the side walls   
     
     
         9 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising at least one rigid wing extending downward from the upper foot platform adjacent the roller and opposing an outer circumferential surface of the roller. 
     
     
         10 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rigid wing extends downward at an angle measuring from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the upper foot platform. 
     
     
         11 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rigid wing includes two rigid wings. 
     
     
         12 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the roller is configured to frictionally engage the at least one rigid wing during use. 
     
     
         13 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rigid wing is integrally formed with the upper foot platform. 
     
     
         14 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the tabs enable the roller to roll relative to the rigid beam. 
     
     
         15 . A panel lifting device comprising:
 a rigid beam including opposite proximal and distal ends and a length with a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, the rigid beam including a beam body having an upper foot platform, and a flange at the distal end of the beam body configured to support a panel in an elevated position;   a roller coupled to the beam; and   at least one rigid wing extending downward from the upper foot platform adjacent the roller and opposing an outer circumferential surface of the roller.   
     
     
         16 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one rigid wing extends downward at an angle measuring from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the upper foot platform. 
     
     
         17 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one rigid wing includes two rigid wings. 
     
     
         18 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the roller is configured to frictionally engage the at least one rigid wing during use. 
     
     
         19 . The panel lifting device set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one rigid wing is integrally formed with the upper foot platform. 
     
     
         20 . A panel lifting device comprising:
 a rigid beam including opposite proximal and distal ends and a length with a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, the rigid beam including a beam body having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a flange at the distal end of the beam body configured to support a panel in an elevated position; and   a roller coupled to the beam,   wherein the panel lifting device is pivotable at a fulcrum,   wherein the rigid beam has a longitudinal load portion extending proximally from the fulcrum to the proximal end, and a longitudinal effort portion extending distally from the fulcrum to the distal end,   wherein the rigid beam is a single, one-piece, integrally formed component formed from a single sheet of metal,   wherein the longitudinal effort portion has a mass that is greater than a mass of the longitudinal load portion.