Tiedown apparatus

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 35 Field of the invention

This invention relates to tiedown or anchor apparatus and, more particularly, to a novel tiedown device adapted to be installed in a base material such as cement, con- 40 crete, asphalt or the like without disrupting the structural integrity of the base material or the prepared surface contour thereof.

Description of the prior art

Heretofore, it has been the conventional practice to ⁴⁵install anchoring devices or equipment by removing a substantial portion of set concrete or cement as examples of a base material followed by digging a suitable hole in the earth thereunder so that the anchoring device can be placed therein. Next, fresh cement or concrete is deposited about the anchoring device which, when set, secures the anchor to the surrounding base material. Althrough such a conventional anchor has been successfully employed in the past, several problems and difficulties _5ghave been encountered which stem largely from the fact that a substantial amount of the base material is required to be removed which, when replaced by the wet cement or concrete, requires considerable attention in order to provide proper surface contour. Also, the bonding of the wet ₆₀cement to the previously set cement poses a problem in which the resultant union often breaks loose causing cracks and eventual pull-out of the tiedown device under heavy load conditions. Furthermore, such an installation of conventional tiedown devices is considerably time-con- _ggsuming, expensive and requires relatively skilled labor.

Another problem encountered with conventional tiedown or anchor devices resides in the fact that removal of the device is not practical since a substantial portion of the base material must be removed in order ₇θ to effectively release the anchoring device so that it may be withdrawn from its installation. Therefore, once con2 ventional anchoring devices have been installed, such devices must be left in place and further reuse or relocation of the devices may not be effectively considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the problems and difficulties encountered with conventional tiedown or anchoring apparatus mentioned above are obviated by the present invention which provides a cylindrical body adapted to be inserted into a preformed hole in the base material and which is formed with a plurality of elongated open-ended slots dividing the body into a base portion from which a plurality of segments extend as defined and separated by said slots. A tapered wedge member is adapted to be forcibly urged into the bore of the body into engagement with the segments so as to urge the segments outwardly in a radial pattern into gripping engagement with the surrounding terrain or base material. The respective ends of the body and wedge member opposite to their ends adapted to be engagably connected are employed to engage with a top and bottom disc, respectively, which are interconnected by a length of claim. The length of chain passes through the bore of the body and through the wedge member whereby the opposite ends of the chain are fixedly secured to the respective discs. The length of the chain is substantially longer than the distance between the combined body and wedge member so that, once the tiedown device has been installed, the top disc or cover may be lifted from its seat on the end of the body so that the links of the chain are exposed for attachment to a desired structure or anchor support such as a working cable or chain used in automobile body work and repair.

In one form of the invention, the wedge member is provided with an internal recess adapted to receive and store the length of chain when the top disc is seated on the top of the cylindrical body. Furthermore, the present invention may include an arcuate guide or support member which may be stored in the wedge member recess when not in use and which is adapted to support the length of chain when the chain is tensioned for anchoring purposes so that the chain will not come into contact with sharp edges of the main body or of the surrounding concrete or base material. Additionally, means may be formed in the body member to effect the removal of the tiedown apparatus. Such means may include the formation of attachment lugs, similar to a bayonet-type connection, so that an extracting tool may be detachably connected to the body for removal from installation in the base material.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel tiedown or anchor apparatus adapted to be readily installed in set base materials such as concrete, cement, asphalt or the like, without disrupting the contour or structural integrity of the base material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel tiedown apparatus incorporating a cylindrical body adapted to be readily installed in set base materials and having a conical wedge member adapted to be forcibly urged into the bore of the body so that a portion of the body may be deflected into the surrounding base material for securement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel tiedown or anchor apparatus having means for readily removing the apparatus from its installation in pre-set base materials without destroying the surface contour of the base material or requiring the breaking-up and removal of the base material.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel tiedown apparatus which may be readily installed in an existing base material and having a storage

3,494, receptacle for holding a variety of parts employed in the tiedown apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are be- _rlieved to be novel are set forth with particularity in the ⁰appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken ₁₀in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tiedown apparatus in accordance with the present invention installed in a concrete floor with its cover cap in closed flush position; 15

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, similar in aspect to FIGURE 1, showing the apparatus in operative position with a working cable hooked thereto;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view, partly fragmentary, showing the apparatus prior to installation 20 thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded elevational view, partly broken away and fragmentary and partly in section, with the main body cylinder being shown installed, the wedge member being shown in solid lines prior to the swaging 25 operation and in phantom lines after swaging expansion of the body cylinder, the cover cap being shown in phantom lines in its operative position during the expansion operation;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly 30 broken away, taken in the direction of arrows 5—5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the chain guiding channel member;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a powered 35 pulling apparatus for use in conjunction with the tiedown apparatus in the installation of the latter;

FIGURE 8 is a vertically sectioned fragmentary view taken along line 8—8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken ⁴θ along line 9—9 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an exploded diagrammatic sectional illustration of a ground-laid concrete floor with a hole drilled therethrough by a concrete drill in preparation for receiving a tiedown device of the present invention; 45

FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are sequential diagrammatic illustrations, similar in aspect to FIGURE 10 showing the procedures for installation of the tiedown apparatus shown in elevation;

FIGURE 14 is a plan view, partly in section, illustrat- 50 ing a modified embodiment of the wedge member; and

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary vertically sectioned view, partly in elevation, illustrating a modified embodiment of the body cylinder and means for removal thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ⁵³EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the tiedown apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the direction of arrow 10 as being installed in a set concrete floor 11 laid @0 over a bed of earth with its cover cap or disc 12 in closed flush position with the surface of the concrete floor 11. The cover 12 includes a finger access hole 13. To remove or raise the cover 12, the user’s finger is inserted through the hole 13 and the cover may then be lifted to expose 65 the interior of the body. The cover 12 is seated within a drilled recess formed in the concrete floor 11 on top of a cylindrical body 14 having a main portion 15 and a segmented portion 16.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the tiedown apparatus is 70 illustrated in a typical operative position in which the cover 12 has been lifted from its seated position on the end of body 14 from a recess 11' formed in the concrete 11. This action exposes a length of chain 17 composed of a plurality of interconnected links wherein one end 75

587 thereof terminates in securement with an attachment link 18 suitably secured to the underside of the cover 12 such as by welding. A selected one of the links of the chain 17 is attached to one end of a working cable 19 so that the chain forms a load carrying and distribution member in series with the cable 19.

To protect the links of the chain 17 from rubbing or abutting against sharp edges of the body 14 or the defining edge of the recess 11' formed in the cement 11, a channel guide member 20 is provided. A portion of the chain is trained between a pair of opposite edge flanges 21 and 22 of the guide 20 so that the guide not only functions as a guide but as a support for the load carrying chain and connecting end of the cable 19.

Referring now in detail to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that the cylindrical body 14 includes a plurality of elongated slots 23 dividing the segmented portion 16 of the body 14 into a plurality of arcuate segments, such as segment 24. One end of each segment in integrally formed with the midsection of body 14 at the base portion 15 while the opposite end of each segment is cantilevered to terminate freely so as to define a circular entrance to the bottom of the body 14.

Adapted to be forcibly introduced to the opening at the bottom of the body 14, there is provided a wedge member 25 which is of conical shape having an external sloping or tapered surface, preferably at about a 4° angle from the vertical. The wedge member is employed to produce a swaging action in cooperation with the segments 24 of the body when the tapered surface of the wedge member is forcibly urged against the inside diameter of the segments. The wedge member 25 further includes an internal recess 26.

A lower or bottom cover 27 is provided having an attachment link 28 disposed on one side thereof adapted to connect with the end link of chain 17. The surface of disc or lower cover 27 is adapted to be forced into abutment against the bottom of the wedge member 25 so that the wedge member may be urged upwardly into forcible contact with the segments 24 when a sufficient load or pull is applied to the chain 17. Lower cover 27 includes a centrally located slot 30 through which the attachment link 28 projects.

It is to be noted that a plurality of nubs 31 are formed in the base portion 15 of the body 14 about the edge marginal region adjacent the end adapted to seat cover 12. These outwardly projecting nubs are employed to be pressed into the base material 11 as the body 14 is inserted through the prepared hole therein so that the body will not drop to the bottom of the hole.

Referring now in detail to FIGURE 4, it can be seen that the body 14 is installed in the prepared hole formed in the base material 11 and that the nubs 31 are fixedly engaged in the material thereof so as to prevent rotation or disengagement of the body therefrom. The upper end of the body 14 is disposed below a surface 32 of the base material so that, when the cover 12 is seated thereon, the upper surface of the cover is flush with surface 32. By seating the body below surface 32, recess 11' is available to receive the cover 12 and is equal to the thickness thereof.

As shown in broken lines, the cover 12 is lifted upwardly under sufficient force to tension chain 17 so that the wedge member 25 is moved from its position shown in solid lines to its position shown in broken lines. This action is achieved by engagement of the lower cover 27 with the bottom of member 25 so that member 25 is forcibly urged into the opening at the bottom of body 14. The tapered surface of member 25 engages with the inside surface of the segments 24, which correspond to the general arcuate configuration of the cooperating surfaces, so that each segment 24 is urged outwardly into the surrounding base material 11 and the ground on which the base material is placed.

3,494,587

As shown in broken lines, the segments 24 have not been expanded; however, as illustrated in solid lines, the wedge member 25 has radially extended each of the segments so that the bottom portion of the body 14 has an overall greater diameter than the top base portion 15. This construction provides a secure anchor assuring that any upward force at the bottom of the body 14 will not cause dislodgment thereof.

It is to be noted that the attachment link 28 which passes through slot 30 is captured by a pin 33 welded to the external surface of cover 27 and is further attached thereto by means of elements 34 and 35, respectively.

The recess 26 formed in wedge member 25 includes a defining sloping surface of approximately 4° that terminates in a bottom 36 through which the slot 30 is formed. The recess 26 may be employed for holding and storing the chain 17 when the upper cover 12 is seated within recess 11' and the recess 26 may also be employed for storing the chain guide 20 when not in use.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, it can be seen that the attachment link 18 passes through slot 30 to encircle pin 33. Pin 33 is maintained in position by means of end elements 34 and 35 which are suitably secured to the lower cover 27 such as by welding. Therefore, when the chain 17 is tensioned, the lower cover 27 will be raised into abutting engagement with the bottom of the wedge member 25.

In FIGURE 6, an enlarged view is shown of the cable guide 20 which is employed to protect the chain from engagement with sharp edges of the body or the opening defining the entrance to concrete recess 11'. It is to be understood that the guide may take any desired shape or form; however, an arcuate configuration is illustrated as being representative of a convenient form. The dimensional distance between the parallel flanges 21 and 22 is sufficient to accommodate the width of the chain as it is trained therebetween.

With respect to FIGURE 7, a powered pulling apparatus is illustrated which may be employed in conjunction with the tiedown apparatus of the present invention for effecting the installation thereof. The pulling apparatus is shown in the direction of arrow 36 and includes a stationary Ushaped frame 37 having upright legs 38 and 40 connected together by a cross-piece 41. The opposite ends of legs 38 and 40 rest on a base 42 supported on the concrete floor 11. The base 42 includes an enlarged aperture 43 adapted to be registered with the body 14. However, the diameter of aperture 43 is smaller than the outside diameter of the body so that the body will not be dislodged from the bore in the cement as the wedge member 25 is drawn into the bore of the body to expand the segments. A passageway 44 communicates aperture 43 exteriorly of the base 42 so that the chain may be passed into the aperture 43.

A movable member 45 is slidably carried on the crossbar or piece 41 and includes a puller bar 46 which is provided with a slot 47 opening at one side of the bar. The upper cover 12 is placed on top of the puller bar 46 while the chain 17 extends through the slot 47. A piston and cylinder assemblage 48 is connected between the fixed cross-piece 41 and the upper portion of the slide member 45 so that when the piston is advanced from the cylinder, the sliding member 45 is forcibly urged upwardly to apply a pulling force to the cover 12. As the puller bar 46 moves upwardly, the cover 12 moves therewith and tensions chain 17 which urges the lower cover 27 against the bottom of wedge member 25.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9, it can be seen that the base 42 will retain the body 14 in its position in the prepared hole as the member 46 is raised carrying the cover 12 thereon. The diameter of aperture 43 is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the body 14. It is noted that a ring 50 is employed which has the same inside and outside diameter as the body 14. Ring 50 is adapted to be seated within the recess 11' in the concrete so that full load transmitting forces are distributed between the base 42 and the body 14 during the swaging operation to expand the segments 24.

Referring now to FIGURES 10-13 inclusive, the sequence for installing the tiedown apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. In FIGURE 10, a drill 51 is employed for forming a hole 52 through the base material 11 and the earth 53. The depth of hole 52 is substantially greater than the overall length of the body 14 and the diameter of the hole is such as to provide an interference fit between the outer surface of the body 14 and the defining walls of the hole. Once the hole has been prepared, the drill 51 is removed, as shown in FIGURE 11, and the body 14 as well as the wedge member 24 and lower cover 27 are introduced into the hole. A substantial downward force is applied to the upper cover 12 which will cause the body to penetrate the hole to the extent that side nubs 31 will penetrate the base material and will become embedded therein.

Once the body 14 has been installed in the hole 52, apparatus 36 is positioned over the installed body as shown in FIGURE 12 and cover 12 is raised and placed on top of puller plate 46. The chain 17 passes through slot 47 and through passage 44 into aperture 43 of base 42. As the piston extends upwardly from the cylinder 48, slide member 45 moves up, tensioning the tension chain 17 so that wedge member is drawn into the bore of body 14. This action causes the segments 24 to expand outwardly and embed within the surrounding terrain and concrete. In FIGURE 13, the body is shown fully installed within the prepared hole and the wedge member 25 is in fixed relationship with respect to the segment portion 16 of the body 14. The lower cover 27 will be in close proximity to the bottom of member 25 since the last link on chain 17 will rest within the recess 26 of member 25 and will not normally pass through slot 30. It is to be noted that the top cover 12 is substantially flush with the surface of the concrete and that resurfacing or contouring of the concrete is avoided. Furthermore, since additional cement or other bonding material is Unnecessary, problems dealing with cold joints are completely avoided.

With respect to FIGURE 14, another embodiment is shown of the present invention in which the wedge member 25 is modified to the pyramid shape indicated by numeral 54. By shaping the wedge member in a pyramidal configuration, four pressure points 55, 56, 57 and 58 are provided which are disposed adjacent the midsection of each of the segments 24 and the body 14. Therefore, when the wedge member is forcibly urged into the bore of body 14, the pressure points 55-58 inclusive will engage with each of the respective segments and cause the segments to expand outwardly. A central aperture 60 is formed in the wedge member 54 to permit passage of chain 17 extending between covers 11 and 27, respectively.

Referring now to FIGURE 15, another embodiment of the present invention is shown which will readily permit removal of the tiedown apparatus body once it has been installed in the concrete. In this configuration, the sidewall of the body 14 is provided with apertures 61 as defined by outwardly extending ears 62 and inwardly extending ears 63. The outwardly extending ears 62 replace the nubs 31 in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 and are employed to be embedded within the surrounding concrete in a similar fashion,

After applying suitable downward force directly against the wedge member so as to cause its downward removal from engagement with the body 14, a pair of identical grippers 64 and 64' may be readily inserted into the bore of body 14 and right-angled enlarged portions 65 carried on the extreme end of each gripper may be introduced through aperture 61 into engagement with inwardly extending ears 63. The grippers may now be pulled upwardly under suitable force so that the segments 24 are bent inwardly and the body 14 will be carried upwardly by the grippers and consequently separated from its instal

3,494,587 lation in the surrounding concrete. The body may now be reused again at another installation location.

Therefore, it can be seen that the tiedown apparatus of the present invention provides an improved anchoring means which may be readily installed or removed _gfrom an installation without disrupting the structural integrity of the surrounding base material. Furthermore, once installed, the surrounding area need not be resurfaced or contoured. The structural integrity of the surrounding base material is unaffected and cold bonding jq or joining problems are completely avoided.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its 15 broader aspects.