Adjustable levelling kit allowing temporary fastening during shipment to a delivery site

Abstract

Kit (23) comprising an adjustable chock (100) provided: - with a first component (110) having an external thread (111b) and a first through-hole (110a), - with a second component (120) having an internal thread (123) cooperating with the external thread (111b) of the first component, and - with a bearing element (130) provided with a lower surface (131) in contact with an upper surface (113) of the first component (110), and with an upper surface (132) intended to be in contact with a lower surface (22a) of a bed plate (22) of an equipment (21) and having a second through-hole (130a). The kit (23) further comprises a temporary fastening device (24) intended to fasten the kit (23) to the bed plate (22) comprising a retainer (25) and a bolt (26), the retainer (25) being intended to be mounted inside the first through-hole (110a), and the bolt (26) being intended to extend through a third through-hole (22b) provided on the bed plate (22), to extend through the second through-hole (130a) and to cooperate with the retainer (25).

Description

[0001] 2024P00214DE

[0002] Adj ustable levelling kit allowing temporary fastening during shipment to a delivery site

[0003] The present invention relates to a system configured for use as an adjustable mounting kit for levelling and anchoring an equipment to a support. The kit comprises a temporary fastening device to fasten the kit to the equipment frame for the duration of shipment to a delivery site. The invention also relates to a method of in situ installing of the equipment and adj ustable kit.

[0004] Adjustable levelling pads or chocks are generally configured to provide both support and vertical alignment capability with or without an associated anchor bolt.

[0005] Adjustable chocks are well known in the art.

[0006] Reference can be made to Figures 1 A and IB which illustrate a known adjustable chock 10.

[0007] The adjustable chock 10 is mounted to connect the frame 1 of a machine or equipment to a foundation or support 2, for example made of concrete or steel . Anchoring the frame 1 to the support 2 is done here with an anchor bolt 3.

[0008] The adjustable chock 10 comprises a first component 1 1 or shaft element, a second component 12 or annular element and a third component 13 or bearing element. The first, second and third components 1 1 , 12, 13 are coaxial along a vertical axis Z-Z ’ .

[0009] The first component 1 1 comprises an upper portion I l a and a lower portion 1 1b provided with an external thread 1 1 c. As illustrated on Figure IB, the upper portion I l a has a partly upper surface l i d of concave shape. The first component 1 1 has a through-hole 14 for accommodating a shank 3 a of the bolt 3.

[0010] The second component 12 has a second through-hole 12a provided with an internal thread 12b configured to engage with the external thread 1 1 c of the first component 1 1 . The threaded portions 1 1 c, 12b cooperate with each other and provide a vertical adjustment.

[0011] The third component 13 sits between the frame 1 and the upper portion I l a of the first component 1 1. 2024P00214DE

[0012] As shown in figure IB, the third component 13 has a lower surface 13 a engaging with the upper surface l i d of the first component 1 1 . The lower surface 13 a and the upper surface l i d are complementarily shaped so as to facilitate slight adjustment of the positions between the first component 1 1 and the third component 13 relative to one another, for example, in order to accommodate slight deviations from the frame 1 of the equipment and the support 2.

[0013] The third component 13 has a through hole 16 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first through-hole 14 in order to allow the shank 3 a of the bolt 3 to pass through if an axis of symmetric of the lower surface l i d of the first component 1 1 is not aligned with an axis of symmetry of the lower surface 13 a of the third component 13. This leads to accommodate deviations from horizontal, parallel orientations of the frame 1 of the equipment and the support 2.

[0014] The installation of the chock 10 is generally done in two main steps. First, the chock 10 is sandwiched between the frame 1 of the equipment and the support 2 and securely held in place by the bolt 3 and a nut 4 screwed on a part of the shank 3 a extending beyond the frame 1 of the equipment. Second, the height of the adjustable chock 10 i s adjusted by screwing the first component 1 1 further into or further out of the second component 12.

[0015] In general, the chocks and the supported equipment are delivered separately to the final destination from their respective manufacturers or resellers and are installed together when all the pieces are delivered. This type of supply makes the installation impossible if a needed part is not yet delivered and can become critical in case of delays or if pieces are lost during shipment.

[0016] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved shipment of the chocks and of the supported equipment.

[0017] The invention relates to a kit comprising an adjustable chock provided :

[0018] - with a first component having an external thread and a first through-hole,

[0019] - with a second component having an internal thread cooperating with the external thread of the first component, and 2024P00214DE

[0020] - with a bearing element provided with a lower bearing surface in contact with an upper bearing surface of the first component, and with an upper bearing surface intended to be in contact with a lower surface of a bed plate of an equipment and having a second through-hole.

[0021] The kit further comprises a temporary fastening device intended to fasten the kit to the bed plate comprising a retainer and a bolt, the retainer being intended to be mounted inside the first through-hole of the first component, and the bolt being intended to extend through a third through-hole provided on the bed plate, to extend through the second through-hole and to cooperate with the retainer.

[0022] Such a temporary fastening device allows a secure temporary fastening of the adjustable chock to the bed plate of the equipment during shipment to the installation site. This ensures that all pieces are delivered to the installation site at the same time providing a more reliable supply chain with no risk of piece losing. Such a kit also forms an easy to set levelling device that expedites installation time.

[0023] Preferably, the bolt cooperates with the retainer by engaging inside a threaded hole of the retainer.

[0024] Advantageously, the retainer is mounted inside the first through- hole so as not to protrude outward from a lower surface of the first component.

[0025] For example, the retainer comprises rotation blocking means between the retainer and the first component.

[0026] For example, the retainer is provided with a lateral outer surface cooperating with a complementary-shaped portion of the first through- hole.

[0027] Preferably, the lateral outer surface and the complementary- shaped portion are conical .

[0028] For example, the retainer is made of aluminum.

[0029] Advantageously, temporary fastening device comprises a spherical washer sandwiched between a head of the bolt and an upper surface of the bed plate of the equipment. For example, the spherical washer comprises a first ring and a second ring, the first ring having a convex surface that mates a concave surface of the second ring. 2024P00214DE

[0030] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an equipment provided with a bed plate, and a kit as previously defined.

[0031] The upper bearing surface is in contact with the lower surface of the bed plate, and the retainer is mounted inside the first through- hole of the first component, and the bolt extends through the third through-hole provided on the bed plate, through the second through-hole and cooperates with the retainer.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method of in situ installing an adjustable chock and a bed plate of an assembly as previously defined.

[0033] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of specific embodiments given by way of a non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings on which:

[0034] - Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a known adjustable chock,

[0035] - Figure IB shows a partial cross-section of the adjustable chock of Figure 1 A in operational use, and

[0036] - Figure 2 is a cross-section view of an assembly comprising a kit according to an example of the invention, before operational use, i . e. during shipment.

[0037] As shown on Figure 2, an assembly 20 according to an exampl e of the invention comprises an equipment 21 provided with a bedplate 22, and a kit 23 comprising an adjustable chock 100.

[0038] The adjustable chock 100 comprises a first component 1 10 or shaft element, a second component 120 or lower adjustable part and a third component or bearing element 130. The first, second and third components 1 10, 120, 130 are coaxial along a vertical axis Z-Z ’ . The chock 100 is symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis Z-Z ’ . The first, second and third components 1 10, 120, 130 are made, for example, of steel, preferably high-grade steel .

[0039] The first component 1 10 of the adjustable chock comprises a lower portion 1 1 1 and an upper flange 1 12. The first component 1 10 i s provided with an external thread 1 1 1b . The external thread 1 1 1b i s formed on the outer surface of the lower portion 1 1 1. The upper flange 2024P00214DE

[0040] 1 12 protrudes radially outwards with respect to the lower portion 1 1 1. The upper flange 1 12 has an upper bearing surface 1 13 at least partly of upwardly concave shape. Said upper surface 1 13 is rotationally symmetrical . The upper surface 1 13 forms the upper surface of the first component 1 10.

[0041] The first component 1 10 has a first through-hole 1 10a extending axially from the upper surface 1 13 to a lower surface 1 14 of the first component 1 10.

[0042] The second component 120 of the adjustable chock is provided with a lower bearing surface 121 and an upper surface 122. The lower and upper surfaces 121 , 122 axially delimit the second component 120. The lower surface 121 is axially opposite to the upper surface 122. The upper surface 122 is located axially on the side of the upper flange 1 12 of the first component. The second component 120 is provided with a bore 120a extending axially from the upper surface 122 to the lower surface 121. The bore 120a is provided with an internal thread 123 configured to engage with the external thread 1 1 lb of the first component 1 10. The threads 1 1 1b, 123 cooperate together and provide a vertical adjustment.

[0043] The first component 1 10 is movable with respect to the second component 120 between a partially screwed position, not shown, in which the threads 1 1 1b of the first component 1 10 partially cooperate with the threads 123 of the second component 120 and a totally screwed position, shown on Figure 2, in which a lower surface of the upper flange 1 12 of the first component axially abuts against the upper surface 122 of the second component.

[0044] The bearing element 130 of the adjustable chock sits on the first component 1 10. The bearing element 130 sits on the upper flange 1 12 of the first component 1 10. The bearing element 130 is provided with a lower bearing surface 13 1 and an upper bearing surface 132. The lower surface 13 1 is axially opposite to the upper surface 132. The lower surface 13 1 is in contact with the upper surface 1 13 of the first component. The lower surface 13 1 has a convex shape and is rotationally symmetrical . 2024P00214DE

[0045] The lower surface 13 1 and said upper surface 1 13 are complementarily shaped so as to facilitate slight adjustment of the positions between the first component 1 10 and the bearing element 130 relative to one another, for example, in order to accommodate slight deviations from the bed plate 2 and a support.

[0046] The radius of curvature of the lower surface 13 1 of the bearing element 130 corresponds to the radius of curvature of the upper surface 1 13 of the first component 1 10. In the illustrated example, the upper bearing surface 132 of the bearing element 130 extends radially.

[0047] The bearing element 130 is provided with a second through-hole 130a extending axially from the upper surface 132 to the lower surface 13 1.

[0048] The upper surface 132 of the bearing element 130 is in contact with a lower surface 22a of the bed plate 22 of the equipment 21.

[0049] In the described example, the bearing element 130 is made, for example, of steel . Alternatively, the bearing element 130 may be made of a low friction material, for example a metal with a solid lubricant such as PTFE.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment shown on Figure 2, the kit comprises a temporary fastening device 24 to fasten the kit to the bed plate 22. The temporary fastening device 24 allows to securely preassemble the adjustable chock 100 onto the bed plate 22 of equipment 21. This ensures that all the parts arrive at the same time at the installation site with no risk of losing any of the pieces during the shipment.

[0051] The temporary fastening device 24 comprises a retainer 25 mounted inside the first through-hole 1 10a, and a bolt 26 extending through a third through-hole 22b provided on the bed plate 22, through the second through-hole 130a and cooperating with the retainer 25.

[0052] For example, the bolt 26 cooperates with the retainer 25 by engaging inside a threaded hole 25a of the retainer 25.

[0053] Preferably, the retainer 25 is mounted inside the first through- hole 1 10a so as not to protrude outward from the lower surface 1 14 of the first component 1 10. 2024P00214DE

[0054] As shown on Figure 2, the retainer 25 is provided with a lateral outer surface 25b cooperating with a complementary-shaped portion 1 10a’ of the first through-hole 1 10a. Preferably, the lateral outer surface and the complementary-shaped portion are conical .

[0055] Alternatively, the retainer 25 comprises rotation blocking means between the retainer 25 and the first component 1 10. For example, the rotation blocking means comprise a keyway.

[0056] For example, the retainer 25 is made of aluminum.

[0057] Advantageously, the temporary fastening device 24 comprises a spherical washer 27 sandwiched between a head 26a of the bolt 26 and the upper surface 22c of the bed plate 22. The head 26a may be a nut.

[0058] Preferably, the spherical washer 27 comprises a first ring 28 and a second ring 29. The first ring 28 has a convex surface 28a that mates a concave surface 29a of the second ring 29. In the example shown in Figure 2, a plain washer 30 is provided between the head 26a and the spherical washer 27. Alternatively, it is possible to provide only the plain washer 30, i . e. instead of the spherical washer 27. In this case, the plain washer 27 is sandwiched between the head 26a of the bolt 26 and the upper surface 22c of the bed plate 22. Figure 2 shows a top-down mounting configuration of the temporary fastening device.

[0059] Alternatively, a bottom-up mounting configuration can be used instead (not illustrated). In this case, the bolt head is mounted into the first through-hole 1 10a and is securely held in place by using a nut placed on top of the bed plate 22 that cooperates with the bolt thread. In this configuration, the bolt head is the retainer 25 and the thread of the retainer 25 cooperates with the bolt thread.

[0060] Once the assembly 20 is delivered on the installation site, the temporary fastening device is removed first and then the adjustable chock 100 is sandwiched between the bed plate 22 of equipment 21 and a support, and securely held in place for example by a nut and bolt system.

Claims

2024P00214DECLAIMS1. Kit (23) comprising an adjustable chock (100) provided:- with a first component (110) having an external thread (111b) and a first through-hole (110a),- with a second component (120) having an internal thread (123) cooperating with the external thread (111b) of the first component (110), and- with a bearing element (130) provided with a lower bearing surface (131) in contact with an upper bearing surface (113) of the first component (110), and with an upper bearing surface (132) intended to be in contact with a lower surface (22a) of a bed plate (22) of an equipment (21) and having a second through-hole (130a), characterized in that the kit (23) further comprises a temporary fastening device (24) intended to fasten the kit (23) to the bed plate (22) comprising a retainer (25) and a bolt (26), the retainer (25) being intended to be mounted inside the first through-hole (110a) of the first component (110), and the bolt (26) being intended to extend through a third through- hole (22b) provided on the bed plate (22), to extend through the second through-hole (130a) and to cooperate with the retainer (25).

2. Kit (23) according to claim 1, wherein the bolt (26) cooperates with the retainer (25) by engaging inside a threaded hole (25a) of the retainer (25).

3. Kit (23) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retainer (25) is mounted inside the first through-hole (110a) so as not to protrude outward from a lower surface (114) of the first component (110).

4. Kit (23) according any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retainer (25) comprises rotation blocking means between the retainer (25) and the first component (110).

5. Kit (23) according any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retainer (25) is provided with a lateral outer surface (25b) cooperating with a complementary-shaped portion (110a’) of the first through-hole (110a).

6. Kit (23) according to claim 5, wherein the lateral outer surface (25b) and the complementary-shaped portion (110a’) are conical.2024P00214DE7. Kit (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retainer (25) is made of aluminum.

8. Kit (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temporary fastening device (24) comprises a spherical washer (27) intended to be sandwiched between a head (26a) of the bolt (26) and an upper surface (22c) of the bed plate (22) of the equipment (21 ).

9. Assembly (20) comprising an equipment (21 ) provided with a bed plate (22), and a kit (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the upper bearing surface ( 132) is in contact with the lower surface (22a) of the bed plate (22), and the retainer (25) is mounted inside the first through-hole ( 1 10a) of the first component (1 10), and the bolt (26) extends through the third through-hole (22b) provided on the bed plate (22), through the second through-hole ( 130a) and cooperates with the retainer (25).

10. Method of in situ installing an adjustable chock ( 100) and a bed plate (22) of an assembly (20) according to claim 9.

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