Chock release column for use with expansible hole anchor

Abstract

A chock release column operable for use with conventional hole anchor devices is provided and generally includes a cable cylinder operable for being secured about a load cable of an expansible hole anchor, a chock clearance portion extending from the cable cylinder that it corresponds in size and shape to an end of the center chock, and an enlarged head adapted for locating outside of a hole of a structure, the enlarged head generally defining a striking surface adapted for receiving a sudden force and transferring the force through the chock release column to a center chock or at least one side chock of the expansible hole anchor, such that the at least one side chock is movable from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position to thereby dislodge said anchor from the hole of the structure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 069,646, filed on Mar. 1, 2005, and entitled “EXPANSIBLE HOLE ANCHOR WITH ENLARGED CHOCK-RELEASING STRIKER HEAD,” which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority of PCT / US04 / 24129, filed on Jul. 27, 2004, the content of all the aforesaid applications are relied upon and incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to safety devices and methods for fall protection, and more specifically, to safety devices including, in an exemplary embodiment, a chock release column operable for use with conventional expansible hole anchors. [0004] 2. Technical Background [0005] In the construction industry, it is often necessary to provide fall protection for workers or objects suspended at heights. Conventionally, expansible hole anchor bolts are used t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies and shortcomings of the devices described above. The present invention is designed to reduce the manufacturing costs and the complexity of assembly. In all exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates to an improved expansible hole anchor with a chock releasing column which is advantageously secured about a load cable of the hole anchor and is operable for transmitting force to a center chock of the hole anchor, thereby dislodging the anchor from a hole. In all exemplary embodiments, the present invention advantageously provides an improved hole anchor which decreases side load forces which may be applied to the center chock during use through the use of an improved chock release column. The present i

Problems solved by technology

However, substantial drawbacks and limitations exist in conventional expansible hole anchors.

In many cases, the anchor is so tightly lodged inside the hole that movement of the handle is difficult, if not impossible.

In practice, this procedure is generally ineffective; often resulting in mangled or broken retraction cables, and rendering the anchor unsuitable for future use.

This procedure further inconveniences the user by requiring the availability of special tools in order to access and release the anchor chocks.

A further problem of conventional anchors relates to the exposure of control cables operable for moving the anchor from the expanded condition to the contracted condition.

Typically, these cables will bear directly against an inside wall of the anchor hole, re

Images