Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for lifting and moving large rolls of material, such as sheet material, which define a central core. The apparatus includes a wheeled frame, and a pair of guide ways that extend parallel to one another and across the frame. A lifting arm defines a lifting flange at one end, is rotatable about an axis oriented generally parallel to the guide ways, and is coupled at an end opposite of the lifting flange to one of the guide ways. An actuator couples the lifting arm to the other guide way, and rotates the lifting arm about the axis oriented generally parallel to the guide ways in order to move the lifting arm between raised and lowered positions. The lifting arm is slidable along the guide ways to permit the lifting flange to be positioned in a hollow core of a roll. Sliding movement of the lifting arm along the guide ways is selectively permitted by a brake mechanism including a brake pad in selective engagement with a guide way. The brake includes a handle that is coupled to the lifting arm and to the brake pad, and is rotatable about an axis oriented perpendicular to the guide way. The handle is biased into a central position, in which the brake pad engages a guide way, and is rotatable away from the central position into a second position, in which the brake pad is disengaged from the guide way to permit sliding movement of the lifting arm relative to the guide ways.

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First Claim