The present disclosure relates to swiveling hoist ring assemblies for securely mounting to large, heavy structures in need of lifting.
A wide variety of hoist devices permit safe lifting of large structures during manufacture or installation, such as aircraft subassemblies, ship hull panels, large machines or machine components. These hoist devices include simple eyebolts, shackles, hoist rings and custom clamps. Selecting and using the proper hoist device for a particular structure requires extreme care, as breakage through misuse or overloading can allow a multi-ton structure to fall, causing damage to the structure and the surrounding area, in addition to potentially causing severe injuries to workers.
Workers typically use simple eye bolts and similar connections for lifting a load lying precisely along the axis of the bolt. However, any side loading of such bolts can result in failure of the bolt. For load directions that vary along a single plane, workers may use a hinged hoist ring to accommodate the changing load direction. However, these hoist rings cannot accommodate loads from any direction other than along the hinging plane. With large, irregularly shaped structures, such as aircraft panels or ship hull panels, workers typically use a fully swiveling hoist ring, having both a rotating base and a hinged ring, to satisfy load and stress requirements from various angles and directions. However, current swiveling hoist rings are often complex and heavy, and require the use of two cross pins that are difficult to assemble, particularly under adverse conditions. Thus, a continuing need exists for swiveling hoist rings that workers can easily replace in the field without special tools or unique, manufacture-specific attachment clips, and that fully support large, fatigue-bending loads.
The present disclosure describes swiveling hoist ring assemblies having a single cross pin extending through a housing with an opening for a mounting bolt to pass through both of the cross pin and the housing. The cross pin provides a strong shaft for supporting loads while still permitting axial rotation of the hoist ring. The assembly can optionally have additional retainers on the ends of the cross pin to create a strong, tamper proof assembly. Alternatively, the cross-cross pin can have removable clips, or simply no retainers for easy service in the field with typical tools. The hoist ring assemblies of this disclosure provide 360 degrees of rotation in the horizontal plane and at least 180 degrees of rotation in the vertical plane about the cross pin axis. Advantageously, the hoist ring assemblies of this disclosure have a simplified design with a minimum number of parts compared to current hoist ring designs.
In examples, the swiveling hoist ring assemblies of this disclosure include a housing defining a first passage from a first side to an opposing second side of the housing along a longitudinal axis. The housing also defines a second passage from a top surface to a bottom surface of the housing transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first passage intersects the second passage. A bail member has a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first through hole and the second end defines a second through hole. The first end is configured to be coupled to the first side of the housing and the second end is configured to be coupled to the second side of the housing such that the first and second through holes align with first passage. A pin has a shaft defining a channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The pin is slidable through the first and second through holes of the bail member and through the first passage of the housing such that the channel of the pin aligns with the second passage of the housing. A bolt has a threaded end configured for attachment to a load to be lifted. A shank portion of the bolt is slidable through the second passage of the housing and through the channel of the pin such that the threaded end extends from the bottom surface of the housing. The pin allows rotation of the bail member about the pin.
In further examples, a sleeve member has a flange portion for contacting the load to be lifted, and a cannulated body extending from the flange portion. The cannulated body is slidable through the second passage of the housing and through the channel of the pin from the bottom surface of the housing. The shank portion of the bolt is slidable through the cannulated body from the top surface of the housing such that the threaded end extends from the flange portion. The sleeve member allows rotation of the housing about the sleeve member and the bolt. A length of the cannulated body is selected to be larger than a length of the second passage such that, when the cannulated body slides into the second passage, an end of the cannulated body extends above the top surface of the housing. In examples, an internal diameter of the cannulated body is selected to be larger than an outer diameter of the shank portion of the bolt and an external diameter of the cannulated body is selected to be smaller than an internal diameter of the second passage of the housing. In examples, the assembly further includes a retaining ring secured around the bolt at a mounting surface of the flange portion. In examples, the assembly further includes a washer disposed around the shank portion of the bolt above the top surface of the housing. In examples, the assembly further includes at least one securing member coupled to an end of the pin for retaining the pin within the housing. In other examples, the assembly further includes a mounting base secured around the bolt at the bottom surface of the housing. In examples, the assembly further includes a retaining ring secured around the bolt between the mounting base and the bottom surface of the housing.
Examples of the method of this disclosure include providing a bail member having a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first through hole and the second end defines a second through hole. A housing is provided defining a first passage from a first side to an opposing second side of the housing along a longitudinal axis. The housing defines a second passage from a top surface to a bottom surface of the housing transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first passage intersects the second passage. The bail member is coupled to the housing such that the first and second through holes align with the first passage of the housing. A pin is inserted through the first and second through holes and through the first passage to couple the bail member to the housing. The pin has a shaft defining a channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The channel of the pin is aligned with the second passage in the housing. A bolt is inserted from the top surface of the housing through the second passage in the housing and through the channel of the pin such that a threaded end of the bolt extends from the bottom surface of the housing.
In further examples, a first securing member is coupled to a first end of the pin for retaining the pin within the housing. In examples, a second securing member is coupled to a second end of the pin opposite the first end for retaining the pin within the housing. In examples, prior to inserting the bolt through the second passage of the housing, a retaining ring is coupled to a flange portion of a sleeve member. The sleeve member has a cannulated body extending from the flange portion. The cannulated body is inserted into the second passage of the housing from the bottom surface of the housing such that an end of the cannulated body extends above the top surface of the housing. Inserting the bolt through the second passage of the housing includes inserting the bolt through the cannulated body of the sleeve member such that the threaded end extends from the flange portion and the retaining ring couples to a groove on the bolt. In examples, prior to inserting the bolt through the cannulated body, a washer is coupled to the bolt above the top surface of the housing. In other examples, a retaining ring is coupled to a recess in a mounting base and the mounting base is coupled to the bolt at the bottom surface of the housing. The retaining ring translates bolt tightening torque to the recess, allowing the housing to freely rotate about the bolt.
Further examples of the swiveling hoist assembly of this disclosure include a bail member having a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first through hole and the second end defines a second through hole. The first and second through holes define a passage along a longitudinal axis. A pin has a shaft defining a channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The pin is slidable through the first and second through holes of the bail member and through the first passage such that the channel is disposed between the first and second ends of the bail member. A bolt has a threaded end configured for attachment to a load to be lifted. A shank portion of the bolt is slidable through the channel of the pin from a top surface of the pin. A sleeve member has a flange portion for contacting the load to be lifted, and a cannulated body extending from the flange portion. The cannulated body is slidable through the channel of the pin from a bottom surface of the pin. The shank portion of the bolt is slidable through the cannulated body such that the threaded end extends from the flange portion. The sleeve member allows rotation of the pin about the sleeve member and the bolt, and the pin allows rotation of the bail member about the pin. In further examples, a washer is disposed around the shank portion of the bolt and housed within a counterbore at the top surface of the pin.
Further examples of the method of this disclosure include providing a bail member having a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first through hole and the second end defines a second through hole. The first and second through holes define a passage along a longitudinal axis. A pin in inserted through the first and second through holes and through the first passage to couple the bail member to the pin. The pin has a shaft defining a channel transverse to the longitudinal axis. The channel of the pin is aligned between the first and second ends of the bail member. A bolt is inserted from the top surface of the pin through the channel of the pin such that a threaded end of the bolt extends from the bottom surface of the pin.
In further examples, a sleeve member is provided having a flange portion and a cannulated body extending from the flange portion. Prior to inserting the bolt through the channel of the pin, the cannulated body of the sleeve member is inserted into the channel of the pin from the bottom surface pin. Inserting the bolt through channel of the pin includes inserting the bolt through the cannulated body of the sleeve member such that the threaded end extends from the flange portion. In yet further examples, prior to inserting the bolt through the cannulated body, a washer is coupled to the shank portion of the bolt. The washer is configured to be housed within a counterbore at the top surface of the pin.
A reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings will make apparent the advantages of these and other features. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description serve to explain the disclosure only and do not restrict aspects of the disclosure as claimed.
Reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, will make the disclosure more fully understood, wherein:
In the description that follows, like components have the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they present in different examples. To illustrate examples in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may not necessarily illustrate scale and may show certain features in somewhat schematic form. Features described and/or illustrated with respect to one example may exist in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other examples and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other examples.
As used in the specification and claims, for the purposes of describing and defining the invention, the terms “about” and “substantially” represent the inherent degree of uncertainty attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “about” and “substantially” also represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. “Comprise,” “include,” and/or plural forms of each include the listed parts and can include additional parts not listed. “And/or” includes one or more of the listed parts and combinations of the listed parts. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like serve to clearly describe the disclosure but do not limit the structure, positioning and/or operation of the disclosure in any manner.
In examples, component parts of the assembly 100 may comprise “austenitic” 300 series stainless steel, such as 316 stainless steel. In other examples, component parts of the assembly 100 may comprise 17-4 PH stainless steel, which has a higher strength potential than 316 stainless steel. In yet further examples, component parts of the assembly 100 may comprise Nitronic 50 stainless steel, which has both a higher strength potential and better corrosion resistance than either 316 or 17-4 PH stainless steel. The disclosure also contemplates that component parts of the assembly 100 could comprise other types of stainless steel, such as “martensitic” 400, which can be hardened, or carbon steels. In examples, the bail member 104 may be forged, while other component parts of the assembly 100 may be machined.
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Examples of the hoist ring assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 could be pre-installed on a threaded stud mounted on an object to be lifted (such as concrete). In this case, the threaded stud would extend through the second passage of the housing and be secured with a nut threaded on the stud at a top surface of the housing. In other examples, the hoist ring assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 could be provided to a user without the bail member 104 so that the user could install their own custom shackle or bail.
One skilled in the art will realize the disclosure may embody other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing examples in all respects illustrate rather than limit the disclosure described herein. The appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, thus indicate the scope of the disclosure, and embrace all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims.
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