Rotating suspension point for use with concrete anchors

Abstract

A rotating suspension point assembly allows rotation and other movement of the assembly relative to the axis of the anchor to which it is attached. Such a rotating suspension point assembly includes a base, a flanged bushing, and a mating convex washer. The base has a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate. The flanged bushing has an internal clearance to allow for misalignment of the anchor and has a flange with a concave surface. The mating convex washer is aligned with the concave surface of the flanged bushing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 882,378, filed August 2, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT none.

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of rigging, hoisting, and suspension components typically used for construction and maintenance. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a suspension assembly that provides rotation and pivoting relative to the concrete or steel structure to which it is secured. [Background technology]

[0004] Rigging, hoisting, and suspension assemblies are used to move equipment and suspend it from structures and surfaces, which may be horizontal, vertical, or overhead. Rigging, hoisting, and suspension assemblies are specifically designed to be secured to metal components or structures using captive threaded fasteners, or to concrete components or structures using post-installed or pre-installed anchors. Existing rigging, hoisting, and suspension assemblies are not designed with the flexibility to facilitate application to both metal and concrete structures, or with the ability to utilize common threaded fasteners or concrete anchors of any length.

[0005] Existing rotating rigging, hoisting, and suspension assemblies include a fixed bushing that is secured to a component or structure and a swivel or pivoting base that accepts other rigging and hoisting components. Such devices are commonly referred to as "swivel hoist rings" or "rotating lifting points." Because the bushing bases of such suspension assemblies are secured directly to the concrete or steel structure using threaded captive fasteners or concrete anchors, the bases are generally flush and vertical with the structure to which they are secured. If the concrete or steel structure is not flat, or if the holes for receiving the threaded fasteners or concrete anchors are not drilled perpendicular to the surface, subsequent tightening of the threaded fasteners or concrete anchors can result in the threaded fasteners or concrete anchors bending, rendering the assembly unusable.

[0006] A need exists to overcome the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of existing suspension point assemblies. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned and other drawbacks, the present invention provides a suspension point assembly for use with a concrete anchor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, a rotating suspension point assembly is provided.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rotary suspension point assembly includes a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a flanged bushing having a flange with a concave surface; and a convex washer aligned with the concave surface.

[0010] In some embodiments, the rotating suspension point assembly further comprises a connector as provided herein.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a rotating suspension point assembly. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating suspension point assembly includes a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a flanged bushing having a flange with a concave surface with an internal clearance to allow for misalignment of the anchor; and a mating convex washer aligned with the concave surface.

[0012] In embodiments, the anchors are threaded fasteners or post-installed concrete anchors. In further embodiments, the rotating suspension point assembly is devoid of any captive fasteners, allowing for the application of any number of anchors. According to further embodiments, the rotating suspension point assembly further includes a convex washer, the convex washer having a convex surface that corresponds to the concave surface of the flanged bushing. In yet further embodiments, the base further includes at least two securing plates extending from the base, the securing plates each having an opening designed to secure another structure.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a rotary suspension point assembly. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotary suspension point assembly includes a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a concave bushing having a main portion and a flange portion having a surface; and a convex washer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the tubular structure protrudes perpendicularly from the plate. In further embodiments, the main portion of the concave bushing has a first outer diameter and the flange portion has a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being smaller than the second outer diameter. In further embodiments, the base tubular structure has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter, and the first and second inner diameters of the tubular structure correspond to the first and second outer diameters of the concave bushing.

[0015] In one embodiment, the surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing is concave. In yet a further embodiment, the concave surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing and the convex washer are positioned to form a spherical washer. In yet another embodiment, the convex washer has an elongated central opening. In another embodiment, the base and the concave bushing each have a central opening coaxial with each other and with the elongated central opening of the convex washer. In yet another embodiment, the rotary suspension point assembly further includes a bearing plate, the bearing plate having a surface area greater than the surface area of ​​the plate of the base.

[0016] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary of the present invention but are not restrictive.

[0017] The features of the present invention will be best understood from a detailed description of the invention and embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rotating suspension point assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rotating suspension point assembly of FIG. 1 with a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates the fully assembled rotating suspension point assembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention is in no way limited to the number of constituent components, their materials, their shapes, their relative arrangements, etc., which are disclosed merely as example embodiments. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings.

[0020] As a prelude to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, as used herein, the term "overhead structure" refers to any physical structure from which a work platform may be suspended. Similarly, the term "structure" refers to any physical structure accessible using a suspended work platform system. In some embodiments, the structure and the overhead structure may be the same. Exemplary structures and overhead structures include, but are not limited to, bridges, offshore drilling rigs, boilers, boiler pendants, elevated and suspended structures, and marine vessels.

[0021] 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary rotating suspension point assembly 100 with an anchor 120 protruding from a structure (not shown). The rotating suspension point assembly 100 includes a bearing plate 10, a base 20, a concave bushing 40, a convex washer 50, a flat washer 60, and a nut 70.

[0022] The anchor 120 can be any of a variety of anchors 120 used with concrete and / or metal structures. For example, if the structure is metal, the anchor can be a threaded captive fastener, and if the structure is concrete, the anchor can be a post-installed anchor or a pre-installed anchor (e.g., a through-bolt). The anchor can be threaded or smooth. As will be recognized in the following discussion, the anchor may or may not be perpendicular to the surface of the structure.

[0023] The bearing plate 10 is a generally flat, plate-like structure that distributes the force of a load over a larger portion of the surface area of ​​the structure experiencing the load. The bearing plate 10 can take on many shapes, sizes, and geometries. In the embodiment shown, the bearing plate 10 is a generally circular, disk-shaped structure having a plate diameter 11 and a central hole 12 with a hole diameter 13, although it will be recognized that the bearing plate 10 can take on any shape (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, polygonal). Similarly, in the embodiment shown, the plate diameter 11 is shown as being slightly larger than the total length of the base 20 such that no portion of the base 20 extends beyond the dimensions of the bearing plate 10. In other words, the size of the bearing plate 10 is at least partially related to the size and shape of the base 20. In further embodiments, the shape and size of the bearing plate 10 can depend on the particular structure and load to which the rotating suspension point assembly 10 is attached.

[0024] 1, hole 12 is circular and has a hole diameter 13 that is slightly larger than the diameter of the portion of anchor 120 that protrudes from the structure (not shown). As will be appreciated, the particular shape and size of hole 12 can vary depending on the type of anchor 120 used, but preferably anchor 120 has a protruding cylindrical portion, with hole 12 and the opening in the remaining component being tubular or circular as well.

[0025] Base 20 is made from a plate 21 with a tubular portion 25 extending from plate 21. A circular hole (not shown) in the plate allows anchor 120 to pass through plate 21 and protrude into tubular portion 25. The inside of tubular portion 25 contains portions with different inner diameters, as described in detail below.

[0026] Base 20 also includes a pair of plates 30, 31 extending parallel to one another from tubular portion 25. Each plate 30, 31 has an opening 32, 33 therethrough such that openings 32, 33 are coaxial. Openings 32, 33 are used for various object or other specific connectors to base 20.

[0027] The concave bushing 40 has a main portion 41 having a first outer diameter and a flange portion 42 having a second outer diameter. The first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter. The exterior shape (e.g., the length of the main portion 41, the length of the flange portion 42, and the first and second outer diameters) matches the interior contour of the housing (not shown). That is, the tubular portion 25 of the housing does not have a consistent inner diameter along its length. Rather, the first half (or upper half) 26 of the tubular portion has a first inner diameter, and the second half (or lower half) 27 of the tubular portion has a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter. The transition between the first and second inner diameters is blunt and mates with the flange edge 45 of the concave bushing 40.

[0028] The central bore 43 runs the length of the bushing 40 and has an inner diameter sufficient to allow for misalignment of the anchor 120 within the rotary suspension point assembly 100. That is, the interior geometry of the central bore 43 is such that the anchor 120 can protrude into the central bore 43 such that it is not parallel to the central axis of the bore 43.

[0029] The lower surface 44 of the bushing 40 has a concave shape, meaning that the radius along the flange portion 42 is concave, and as explained further below, the concave lower surface 44 matches the convex shape of the convex washer 50. The lower surface 44 of the bushing 40 and the convex washer 50 together create a spherical washer.

[0030] Convex washer 50 is positioned between concave bushing 40 and flat washer 60. Convex washer 50 has a convex radius around the diameter of washer 50. The convex radius matches the concave radius of concave bushing 40. Concave bushing 40 and convex washer 50 together form a spherical washer that facilitates movement of assembly 100 relative to the surface to which it is secured.

[0031] Convex washer 50 also has an elongated (non-circular) central opening 52. Elongated opening 52 allows convex washer 50 to move relative to concave bushing 40 and still accommodate anchor 120.

[0032] The combination of the concave bushing 40 and the convex washer 50 together provide sufficient movement so that any structure connected to the anchor 120 does not necessarily have to remain in an axis parallel to the anchor 120.

[0033] Flat washer 60 prevents damage to rotary suspension point assembly 100 (specifically, to concave bushing 40, convex washer 50, and nut 70) by distributing torque when tightening nut 70 and by providing an intermediate structure between nut 70 and convex washer 50. Although flat washer 60 is shown as a conventional circular ring, in further embodiments, washer 60 can have a different geometric shape, provided that the washer has little variation or contour along the planar surface of the washer (i.e., it is flat).

[0034] In the embodiment shown, the nut 70 is an elastic stop nut (ESN), but in further embodiments, the nut 70 can be any type of nut 70 known in the art that tightens onto the anchor 120 to secure the rotating suspension point assembly 100 to the anchor 120.

[0035] 2 and 3, when assembled, bushing 40, convex washer 50, flat washer 60, and nut 70 are contained within tubular portion 25 of base 20, with anchor 120 protruding from assembly 100. In this manner, a structure or object may be connected to anchor 120 without interference.

[0036] Also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a connector 150 for use with the rotating suspension point assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 150 includes two rectangular plates 151, 152, each having at least one hole at each of its ends. In the embodiment shown, plate 151 includes a first hole 153 (not shown) and a pair of holes 154a, 154b at its opposite end. Similarly, plate 152 includes a first hole 155 and a pair of holes 156a, 156b at its opposite end. It will be appreciated that each matching hole (e.g., 153 and 155, 154a and 156a, and 154b and 156b) is coaxial.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, connector 150 is used to secure the chain to rotating suspension point assembly 100. Plates 151, 152 are positioned on either side of plates 30, 31 of base 20, with first holes 153, 155 coaxial with each other and with openings 32, 33 in plates 30, 31. Bolt 156 clamps plates 30, 31, 151, and 152 together and is held in place by nut 162, with an optional locking pin 160 that engages opening 161 in the end of bolt 156. As shown in FIG. 2, bolt 156 has a threaded portion 158 and an unthreaded portion 159. Bolt 156 is positioned in openings 153, 32, 33, and 155 such that threaded portion 158 protrudes from plates 152, 30, 31, and 153, while inner surfaces of openings 153, 32, 33, and 155 contact unthreaded portion 159. As a result, connector 150 can pivot about an axis generated by bolt 156. A pair of pins (e.g., locking pins 157a, 157b, etc.) secure opposite sides of plates 151, 152 together by engaging pairs of holes 154a, 156a and holes 154b, 156b.

[0038] 3, the chain can be secured in the connector 150 using locking pins 157a, 157b. Due to the pivoting allowed by the bolt 156, the connector 150 can be at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the angle of the anchor 120.

[0039] The materials used in constructing the components of the rotating suspension point assembly 100 are typically metals.

[0040] The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed or to materials in which that form may be embodied, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

[0041] The present invention should not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but is specifically intended to include modifications of those embodiments, including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments, as falling within the scope of the following claims. It should be noted that the present invention includes the following aspects. [Aspect 1] a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a flanged bushing, the flanged bushing having an internal clearance to allow for misalignment of the anchor and having a flange with a concave surface; a mating convex washer aligned with said concave surface; Rotating suspension point assembly, including: [Aspect 2] 2. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a threaded fastener or a post-installed concrete anchor. [Aspect 3] 3. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating suspension point assembly is devoid of any captive fasteners, allowing for application of anchors of any length. [Aspect 4] A rotary suspension point assembly as described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the rotary suspension point assembly further includes a convex washer having a convex surface that corresponds to the concave surface of the flanged bushing. [Aspect 5] A rotating suspension point assembly as described in any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the base further includes at least two fixation plates extending from the base, each of the fixation plates having an opening designed to secure another structure. [Aspect 6] A rotary suspension point assembly as described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the rotary suspension point assembly further includes a bearing plate, the bearing plate having a surface area greater than a surface area of ​​the plate of the base. [Aspect 7] a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a concave bushing having a main portion and a flange portion having a surface; Convex washer and Rotating suspension point assembly, including: [Aspect 8] A rotating suspension point assembly as described in embodiment 7, wherein the tubular structure protrudes vertically from the plate. [Aspect 9] 9. The rotary suspension point assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the main portion of the concave bushing has a first outer diameter and the flange portion has a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being smaller than the second outer diameter. [Aspect 10] A rotary suspension point assembly as described in aspect 9, wherein the tubular structure of the base has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter, and the first and second inner diameters of the tubular structure correspond to the first and second outer diameters of the concave bushing. [Aspect 11] A rotary suspension point assembly according to any one of aspects 7 to 10, wherein the surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing is concave. [Aspect 12] 12. The rotary suspension point assembly of claim 11, wherein the concave surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing and the convex washer are positioned to form a spherical washer. [Aspect 13] 13. The rotary suspension point assembly of any one of aspects 7 to 12, wherein the convex washer has an elongated central opening. [Aspect 14] A rotary suspension point assembly as described in embodiment 13, wherein the base and concave bushing each have a central opening coaxial with each other and with the elongated central opening of the convex washer. [Aspect 15] A rotary suspension point assembly as described in aspect 7, wherein the rotary suspension point assembly further includes a bearing plate, the bearing plate having a surface area greater than a surface area of ​​the plate of the base. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 bearing plates 11 Plate diameter 12 Center hole 13 Hole diameter 20 base 21 Plate 25 Tubular section 26 First half, upper half 27 Second half, lower half 30 plates 31 Plate 32 Opening 33 Opening 40 Concave bushing 41 Main parts 42 Flange part 43 center bore 44 Lower surface 45 flange edge 50 Convex washer 52 Central opening 60 Flat washer 70 Nut 100° Rotation Hanging Point Assembly 120 Anchor 150 Connector 151 Plate 152 plates 153 First hole 154a Hole 154b Hole 155 First hole 156 volts 156a Hole 156b Hole 157a Lock pin 157b Lock pin 158 Threaded Part 159 Non-threaded part 160 Locking Pin 161 Opening 162 Nut

Claims

1. a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a flanged bushing, the flanged bushing having an internal clearance to allow for misalignment of the anchor and having a flange with a concave surface; a mating convex washer aligned with said concave surface; Rotating suspension point assembly, including:

2. 10. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a threaded fastener or a post-installed concrete anchor.

3. 3. The rotary suspension point assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mating convex washer has a convex surface that corresponds to said concave surface of said flanged bushing.

4. 4. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 3, wherein the base further includes at least two securing plates extending from the base, each of the securing plates having an opening designed to secure another structure thereto.

5. 5. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 4, further comprising a bearing plate, said bearing plate having a surface area greater than a surface area of ​​said plate of said base.

6. a base having a plate and a tubular structure protruding from the plate; a concave bushing having a main portion and a flange portion having a concave surface, said concave bushing having an internal clearance to allow for misalignment of the anchor; a convex washer aligned with the concave surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing; Rotating suspension point assembly, including:

7. 7. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 6, wherein said tubular structure projects perpendicularly from said plate.

8. 8. A rotary suspension point assembly as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the main portion of the concave bushing has a first outer diameter and the flange portion has a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being smaller than the second outer diameter.

9. 9. The rotary suspension point assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular structure of the base has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter, and the first and second inner diameters of the tubular structure corresponding to the first and second outer diameters of the concave bushing.

10. A rotary suspension point assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the concave surface of the flange portion of the concave bushing and the convex washer are positioned to form a spherical washer.

11. 11. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 10, wherein said convex washer has an elongated central opening.

12. 12. The rotary suspension point assembly of claim 11, wherein said base and concave bushing each have a central opening coaxial with each other and with said elongated central opening of said convex washer.

13. 7. The rotating suspension point assembly of claim 6, further comprising a bearing plate, said bearing plate having a surface area greater than a surface area of ​​said plate of said base.

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