U.S. patent application number 10/487125 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for suspending equipment.
Invention is credited to Boaler, Derek, Facey, Hugh David.
Application Number | 20040231268 10/487125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26246463 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040231268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Facey, Hugh David ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Suspending equipment
Abstract
Means for suspending equipment (21) from an overhead structural
member (16) comprises a suspension strand (10), e.g. a length of
wire rope, with a nipple (11) at one end, a toggle plate (12) with
an aperture (13) through which the strand can pass but not the
nipple, together with a locking device (18) having twin bores (17A,
17B) associated with wedging means (19A, 19B), the toggle plate
(12) and nipple (11) being pushed through a hole (15 or 34) in the
overhead structural member (16) or the equipment (21), for the
toggle plate to overlie or underlie the hole, while the free end
(14) of the strand (10) is passed through one bore (17A) of the
locking device (18), through an eye (20) on the equipment (21) or
round the equipment or through an eye (35) on the overhead
structural member (16) or round the overhead structural member, and
finally through the other bore (17B) of the locking device
(18).
Inventors: |
Facey, Hugh David; (Whirlow,
GB) ; Boaler, Derek; (Sheffield, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard A Giangiorgi
Trexler Bushnell Giangiorgi
Blackstone & Marr
105 West Adams Street
Chicago
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
26246463 |
Appl. No.: |
10/487125 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 13, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/03725 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.01 ;
52/506.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16G 11/106 20130101;
F16G 11/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/506.01 ;
052/506.06 |
International
Class: |
E04B 002/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2001 |
GB |
0120522.8 |
Nov 1, 2001 |
GB |
0126181.7 |
Claims
1-17. (Canceled).
18. Means for suspending equipment (21) from an overhead structural
member (16) comprising a suspension strand (10) and a locking
device (18) having twin bores (17A, 17B) at least one of which is
associated with wedging means (19A or 19B) preventing withdrawal of
the free end (14) of the suspension strand (10) in the opposite
direction to insertion, characterized in that there is provided a
nipple (11) at one end of the suspension strand, a toggle plate
(12) having a length appreciably greater than its width, an
aperture (13) in the toggle plate elongate in the lengthwise
direction of the toggle plate but of a width preventing passing of
the nipple through the aperture, the free end (14) of the
suspension strand (10) being able to pass through the aperture (13)
until the toggle plate (12) abuts or lies captive adjacent the
nipple (11).
19. Equipment suspending means as in claim 18, characterized in
that the suspension strand (10) is a length of wire or wire
rope.
20. Equipment suspending means as in claim 18 characterized in that
the nipple (11) is formed by a separate member with a hole (22) in
which the end of the strand (10) is secured by swaging the whole or
part of the separate member.
21. Equipment suspending means as in claim 20, characterized in
that the separate member is formed with an enlarged formation (23)
to abut a substantial area of the toggle plate (12) on each side of
the aperture (13).
22. Equipment suspending means as in claim 18, characterized in
that each bore (17A, 17B) of the locking device (18) is associated
with wedging means (19A, 19B), so that the locking device (18) can
be used either way up.
23. A method of suspending equipment (21) from an overhead
structural member (16) using means as in claim 18, characterized in
that a hole (15) is provided through the overhead member (16), the
toggle plate (12) is angled into close lengthwise alignment with
the suspension strand (10) adjacent the nipple (11), the toggle
plate (12) is passed with the nipple (11) through the hole (15) in
the overhead member (16), and the toggle plate (12) is realigned
predominantly perpendicularly to the suspension strand (10) and
bridging the topside of the hole (15), whereafter the free end (14)
of the strand (10) is passed through one bore (17A) of the locking
device (18), then through an eye (20) provided on the equipment
(21) or passed round the equipment, and through the other bore
(17B) of the locking device (18) wherein the strand (10) is secured
by the wedging means (19B).
24. A method of suspending equipment (21) from an overhead
structural member (16) using means as in claim 18, characterized in
that a hole (34) is provided in the equipment (21) to be suspended,
the angled toggle plate (12) is passed with the nipple (13) through
the hole (34) and realigned predominantly perpendicularly to the
suspension strand (10) and bridging the underside of the hole (34),
whereafter the free end (14) of the strand (10) is passed through
one bore (17A) of the locking device (18), then through an eye (35)
provided on the overhead structural member (16) or passed over the
member, and through the other bore (17B) of the locking device (18)
wherein the strand (10) is secured by the wedging means (19B).
25. An equipment suspending method as in claim 23 or claim 24,
characterized in that the level at which the equipment (21) is
suspended is adjusted upwards by pulling the locking device (18)
upwards or downwards, as the case may be.
26. An equipment suspending method as in claim 23 or 24,
characterized in that the level at which the equipment (21) is
suspended is adjusted upwards by pulling the free end (14) of the
suspension strand (10) further through the locking device (18).
27. A method as in claim 23, characterized in that temporary
release means (32A, 32B) is provided for the wedging means (19A,
19B) of the locking device (18) to enable the level at which the
equipment (21) is suspended to be adjusted downwards.
28. A method as in claim 23, with the suspension strand (10)
passing round the equipment (21), characterized in that plastics
sleeving (33) is slipped over part of the suspension strand (10)
otherwise expected to contact the equipment.
29. An equipment suspension kit characterized by a suspension
strand (10) with a nipple, (11) a toggle plate (12) with an
aperture (13), and a locking device (18) as in claim 18, together
with plastics sleeving (33) for slipping over part of the
suspension strand (10) expected to contact the equipment (21) to be
suspended.
30-34. (Canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to means for and methods of
suspending equipment (such as lighting, heating, trunking or
ventilation units) from an overhead structural member (such as a
roof, ceiling, beam or girder).
[0002] According to one aspect of the present invention, means for
suspending equipment from an overhead structural member comprises a
suspension strand and a locking device having twin bores at least
one of which is associated with wedging means (e.g. a ball, roller
or wedge) preventing withdrawal of the free end of the suspension
strand; (i.e. the end remote from the nipple) in the opposite
direction to insertion, both known per se from EP-A-0 926 393,
characterized in that there is provided a nipple at one end of the
suspension strand, a toggle plate having a length appreciably
greater than its width, an aperture in the toggle plate elongate in
the lengthwise direction of the toggle plate but of a width
preventing passing of the nipple through the aperture, the free end
of the suspension strand being able to pass through the aperture
until the toggle plate abuts or lies captive adjacent the
nipple.
[0003] Thus, in one method of suspending equipment from an overhead
structural member in accordance with the invention a hole is
provided through the overhead member, the toggle plate is angled
into dose lengthwise alignment with the suspension strand adjacent
the nipple, the toggle plate is passed with the nipple through the
hole in the overhead member, and the toggle plate is realigned
predominantly perpendicularly to the suspension strand and bridging
the topside of the hole, whereafter the free end of the strand is
passed through one bore of the locking device, then through an eye
provided on the equipment or passed round the equipment, and
through the other bore of the locking device wherein the strand is
secured by the wedging means.
[0004] In another method in accordance with the invention, a hole
is provided in the equipment to be suspended, or a supporting
member therefor, the angled toggle plate is passed with the nipple
through the hole and realigned predominantly perpendicularly to the
suspension strand and bridging the underside of the hole,
whereafter the free end of the strand is passed through one bore of
the locking device, then through an eye provided on the overhead
structural member or passed over the member, and through the other
bore of the locking device wherein the strand is secured by the
wedging means
[0005] With either method, the level at which the equipment is
suspended can be adjusted upwards by pulling the locking device
upwards or downwards, as the case may be, or by pulling the free
end of the suspension strand further through the locking device,
which may be provided with temporary release means for its wedging
means to enable the level at which the equipment is suspended to be
adjusted downwards.
[0006] The suspension strand may be a length of wire or wire rope,
or of any other suitable material, with the nipple formed by a
separate member with a hole in which the end of the strand is
secured by swaging the whole or part of the separate member, which
may be formed with an enlarged formation to abut a substantial area
of the toggle plate on each side of the aperture.
[0007] Each bore of the locking device may be associated with
wedging means, so that the locking device can be used either way
up.
[0008] An equipment suspension kit in accordance with the invention
comprising a suspension strand with a nipple, a toggle plate with
an aperture, and a locking device, as aforesaid, may also include
plastics sleeving for slipping over part of the suspension strand
expected to contact the equipment to be suspended, e.g. to minimise
vibration or noise; and a tensioning tool, such as a blind
rivetting tool, may be included for tensioning the suspension
strand by application of the tool to the free end of the suspension
strand after it has passed through the second bore of the locking
device.
[0009] Embodiments of the invention will now be desribed, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a suspension strand with a
nipple and toggle plate in accordance with the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an elevation of the upper end of the strand of
FIG. 1 as seen from the left hand side thereof;
[0012] FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 but shows the nipple and toggle
plate being passed through a hole in an overhead structural
member;
[0013] FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3 but shows the toggle plate
orientated to prevent withdrawal of the nipple through the
hole;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a downward extension of FIG. 4 showing one method
in accordance with the invention by which the strand can be used
with a locking device to suspend equipment from the overhead
structural member,
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the
locking device;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a small scale elevation showing a pair of
suspension strands as in FIGS. 1 to 4 and a pair of locking devices
as in FIGS. 5 and 6 being used in another method in accordance with
the invention; and
[0017] FIGS. 8 and 9 are further small scale elevations
illustrating two further methods of suspending equipment from
overhead structural members in accordance with the invention.
[0018] In FIGS. 1 to 4, a suspension strand 10 formed by a length
of wire rope has a nipple 11 at one end, and a toggle plate 12
having a length appreciably greater than its width has an aperture
13 elongate in the lengthwise direction of the toggle plate but of
a width preventing passing of the nipple 11 through the aperture,
the free end 14 of the strand being passed through the aperture
until the toggle plate lies captive adjacent the nipple.
[0019] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the toggle plate 12 is shown angled into
close lengthwise alignment with the strand 10 adjacent the nipple
11, to enable the nipple and the toggle plate to be passed through
a hole 15 in an overhead structural member 16, as illustrated by
FIG. 3, and then the toggle plate is realigned predominantly
perpendicularly to the strand and bridging the topside of the hole,
as shown in FIG. 4, whereafter the free end 14 of the strand is
passed through one bore 17A of a locking device 18 (see FIGS. 5 and
6) having twin bores 17A, 17B associated with wedging means 19A,
19B preventing withdrawal of the free end of the strand in the
opposite direction to insertion. Further, as illustrated by FIG. 5,
the free end of the strand can be passed through an eye 20 provided
on equipment 21 to be suspended and through the other bore 17B of
the locking device 18, to secure the equipment suspended from the
overhead structural member.
[0020] The nipple 11 is formed by a separate member with a hole 22
in which the end of the strand 10 is secured by swaging part of the
separate member, the remainder of which is an enlarged formation 23
to abut a substantial area of the toggle plate 12 on each side of
the aperture 13.
[0021] Although the wedging means 19B in the bore 17B of the device
in the disposition shown in FIG. 5 would suffice to secure the
equipment 21 suspended from the overhead structural member 16, the
provision of wedging means in both bores 17A, 17B is preferred so
that the locking device 18 can be used either way up. The level at
which the equipment is suspended can be adjusted upwards by pulling
the connector upwards or by pulling the free end 14 of the strand
further through the locking device, e.g. by means of a tensioning
tool (not shown but, for example, a blind rivetting tool). To
enable the level to be adjusted downwards the locking device may be
provided with temporary release means for its wedging means, as
will be exemplified in the following detailed description of the
locking device.
[0022] As can be seen in FIG. 6 the wedging means 19A, 19B comprise
wedges slidable along respective channels 24A, 24B in the body 25
of the locking device 18, each channel converging at an acute angle
to and into communication with a respective one of the twin bores
17A, 17B (which are separated by a thin wall 26) towards an inlet
end 27A or 27B of that respective bore, the wedges 19A, 19B being
provided with transverse ribs 28 (or teeth or other surface
formations) for gripping engagement with the strand 10 (when
inserted) under the urge of compression springs 29A, 29B between
the wedges and recessed abutments 30A, 30B adjacent outlet ends
31A, 31B of the respective bores 17A, 17B. Apertures 32A, 32B in
the body 25 of the locking device 18 each have an inner end opening
into a respective channel 24A or 24B and is available as a guide
for a separate tool(not shown) pushed into the channel to move the
respective wedge against its spring urge to enable the strand to be
freed temporarily for adjustment of the position of the locking
device with respect to the strand and thereby also the level of the
suspended equipment 21.
[0023] In FIG. 7, an item of equipment 21 or a support for an item
of equipment is shown suspended by a pair of strands 10 and a pair
of locking devices 18 but, instead of providing eyes on the
equipment, the free ends 14 of the strands are passed round the
equipment after passing through the bores 17A in the devices 18 and
before passing through the bores 17B, lengths of plastics sleeving
33 being slipped over parts of the suspension strands where they
would otherwise contact the equipment, e.g. to minimise vibration
or noise.
[0024] In each of FIGS. 8 and 9 a hole 34 is provided in the item
of equipment 21, the angled toggle plate 12 on the strand 10 is
passed with the nipple 11 through the hole and realigned
predominantly perpendicularly to the strand and bridging the
underside of the hole, whereafter, in FIG. 8 the free end 14 of the
strand is passed through one bore 17A of the device 18, then
through an eye 35 provided on the overhead structural member 16 and
through the other bore 17B of the locking device wherein the strand
is secured by the wedging means, while in FIG. 9 the strand is
passed over the member 16 after passing through the bore 17A in the
device 18 and before passing through the other bore 17B of the
locking device.
[0025] The level at which the equipment is suspended in the manner
of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 can be adjusted upwards by pulling the locking
device 18 downwards or by pulling the free end 14 of the suspension
strand 10 further through the locking device. Again, temporary
release means for the wedging means may be provided as described in
relation to FIG. 6 to enable the level at which the equipment is
suspended to be adjusted downwards.
* * * * *