Ball-bearing-supported attachment point

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachment point (1) comprising a connecting element (3) which comprises a section (5) for connecting an attachment device, a seat (9) for a fastening device (11) and at least one pair of rolling bearings (23) between the seat (9) and the connecting element (9), wherein the connecting element (3) is rotatable relative to the seat (9) and wherein the rolling bearings (25, 27) of the pair of rolling bearings each comprise at least one rolling element (29). In order to provide an attachment point that exhibits little wear, is easily rotated also when lifting heavy loads and is easy to install, it is according to the invention provided that the rolling bearings (25, 27) of the pair of rolling bearings (23) comprise an outer race (39, 41) attached to the connecting element (3).

Claims

1. Attachment point (1) comprising a connecting element (3) which comprises a section (5) for connecting an attachment device, a seat (9) through which a fastening device (11) can be guided, and at least one pair of rolling bearings (23) between said seat (9) and said connecting element (3), wherein said connecting element (3) is rotatable relative to said seat (9) and wherein the rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise at least one rolling element (29), wherein said rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise an outer race (39, 41) attached to said connecting element (3), characterized in that said seat (9) comprises at least one bushing (13, 15) which forms an inner race (31, 33) for at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23), wherein said inner race (31, 33) encloses said at least one spherical rolling element (29) of said rolling bearing (25, 27) by more than 90°.

2. Attachment point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said rolling bearings (25, 27) each comprise said at least one spherical rolling element (29) which is, by said outer race (39, 41), enclosed by more than 90°.

3. Attachment point (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a radial width (55) of said outer race (39, 41) of at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) corresponds to a radial dimension (57) of the rolling element (29) abutting said outer race (39, 41).

4. Attachment point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said outer race (39, 41) of said at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) comprises an undercut (34, 36) in which said at least one rolling element (29) of said rolling bearing (25, 27) is supported in a positive-fit manner.

5. Attachment point (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one undercut (34, 36) forms a track (35, 37) for said at least one rolling element (29).

6. Attachment point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner race (31, 33) of said at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) comprises an undercut (42, 44) in which said at least one rolling element (29) of said rolling bearing (25, 27) is supported in a positive-fit manner.

7. Attachment point (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one undercut (42, 44) forms a track (43, 45) for said at least one rolling element (29).

8. Attachment point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said seat (9) comprises two bushings (13, 15) that are axially connected via a press-fit connection (17) and each comprise said inner race (31, 33).

9. Attachment point (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said outer race (39, 41) is at least one bushing (13, 15) captively supported via said at least one rolling element (29).

10. Attachment point (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of said two bushings (13, 15) of said seat (9) comprises an inner thread (71) and said seat (9) further comprises a drive mechanism that is rotatably drivable by positive-fit engagement with said inner thread (71) and accessible from outside the seat (9).

11. Attachment point (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a braking member (65) is disposed between said seat (9) and said connecting element (3) and connects said seat (9) and said connecting element (3) in a frictionally engaged manner.

12. Attachment point (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said braking member (65) forms a sealing element (63) of said rolling bearing (25, 27).

13. Attachment point (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said braking member (65) is arranged in the area of the press-fit connection (17) between said seat (9) and said connecting element (3).

14. Attachment point (1) according to one of the claim 1, characterized in that said at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) is a solid ball.

15. Attachment point (1) comprising a connecting element (3) which comprises a section (5) for connecting an attachment device, a seat (9) for a fastening device (11) and at least one pair of rolling bearings (23) between said seat (9) and said connecting element (9), wherein said connecting element (3) is rotatable relative to said seat (9) and wherein the rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise at least one rolling element (29), wherein said rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise an outer race (39, 41) attached to said connecting element (3), wherein said seat (9) comprises two bushings (13, 15) that are axially connected via a press-fit connection (17) and each comprise an inner race (31, 33) for at least one rolling bearing (25, 27) of, wherein said inner races (31, 33) each enclose at least one spherical rolling element (29) of said rolling bearing (25, 27) by more than 90°, characterized in that one of the bushings (13, 15) is provided with an inner thread (71) and with a drive mechanism that is rotatably drivable by positive-fit engagement and accessible from the outside.

16. Attachment point (1) comprising a connecting element (3) which comprises a section (5) for connecting an attachment device, a seat (9) for a fastening device (11) and at least one pair of rolling bearings (23) between said seat (9) and said connecting element (9), wherein said connecting element (3) is rotatable relative to said seat (9) and wherein the rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise at least one rolling element (29), wherein said rolling bearings (25, 27) of said pair of rolling bearings (23) each comprise an outer race (39, 41) attached to said connecting element (3), characterized in that said seat (9) comprises two bushings (13, 15) that are axially connected via a press-fit connection (17) and each comprises an inner race (31, 33), wherein said inner race (31, 33) encloses at least one spherical rolling element (29) of said rolling bearing (25, 27) by more than 90°.

17. Attachment point (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that an outer race (39, 41) is at least one bushing (13, 15) captively supported via at least one rolling element (29).

18. Attachment point (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that said seat (9) comprises a bushing (13, 15) with an inner thread (71) and a drive mechanism that is rotatably drivable by positive-fit engagement and accessible from the outside.

Description

(1) The same reference numerals are in the drawings always used for elements of the same function and/or the same construction, where

(2) FIG. 1 shows a section through an advantageous embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2a shows a section through an embodiment comprising a bushing with a drive mechanism;

(4) FIG. 2b shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a section through an embodiment with a centrally supported attachment element;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a section through an embodiment with a braking member in the area of the press-fit connection;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a section through an embodiment without a braking member; and

(8) FIG. 6 shows a section through an embodiment with inner and outer races without undercuts.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a first advantageous embodiment of an attachment point 1 according to the invention. Attachment point 1 comprises a connecting element 3. Connecting element 3 has a section 5 for connection to an attachment device. Section 5 comprises a captively connected and pivotally mounted attachment element 7. Attachment element 7 is used to connect an attachment device and can be configured having the shape of a shackle.

(10) Attachment element 7 is attached eccentrically to attachment point 1. A centric support of an attachment element 7 is shown in FIG. 3. Attachment element 7 is pivotable about pivot axis 6 which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 30 of fastening device 11.

(11) Attachment element 7 can be supported by a fastening element 8, e.g. a bolt, extending along pivot axis 6 and being guided through a support opening 10 in connecting element 3. Fastening element 8 can be secured by a screw connection at the connecting element.

(12) The connecting element 3 is traversed by the seat 9 for the fastening device 11. Seat 9 comprises bushings 13 and 15. Bushings 13 and 15 are interconnected by a press-fit connection 17. A groove 19 can be disposed in the interior of seat 9. Fastening device 11 can comprise a spring ring 21 which upon insertion of fastening device 11 into seat 9 snaps into groove 19 and holds fastening device 11 captively in seat 9.

(13) Connecting element 3 is rotatable relative to seat 9 about longitudinal axis 30 of fastening device 11.

(14) A pair of rolling bearings 23 is located between seat 9 and connecting element 3. The pair of rolling bearings 23 is composed of rolling bearings 25 and 27. Rolling bearings 25 and 27 of the embodiment comprise spherical rolling elements 29. Attachment point 1 according to the invention is not limited to the use of spherical rolling elements. The use of rolling elements having other shapes, such as cylinders, needles or cones are likewise possible.

(15) Rolling bearings 25 and 27 are arranged in a circle, where the circular planes formed by rolling bearings 25 and 27 are disposed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 30 of fastening device 11.

(16) Bushings 13 and 15 of seat 9 form inner races 31 and 33 for rolling bearings 25 and 27 of the pair of rolling bearings 23. Inner races 31 and 33 enclose spherical rolling elements 29 of rolling bearings 25 and 27 each by more than 90°. Inner races 31 and 33 comprise undercuts 42 and 44 for positive-fit mounting of spherical rolling elements 29.

(17) Rolling bearings 25 and 27 of the pair of rolling bearings 23 comprise outer races 39 and 41. Outer races 39 and 41 are attached to connecting element 3. Outer races 39 and 41 enclose spherical rolling elements 29 each by more than 90°. Outer races 39 and 41 each comprise an undercut 34 and 36 in which rolling elements 29 are supported in a positive-fit manner. Connecting element 3 has flat recesses 47 and 49 for receiving outer races 39 and 41.

(18) Undercuts 42 and 44 of inner races 31 and 33 and undercuts 34, 36 of outer races 39 and 41 form tracks 35, 37, 43 and 45 for rolling elements 29.

(19) Outer races 39 and 41 preferably connect flush with upper side 51 and lower side 53 of connecting element 3. Spherical rolling elements 29 are embedded in outer races 39 and 41 such that they each to a small extent, which in particular should not exceed one third of the diameter of rolling elements 29, protrude beyond upper side 51 and lower side 53 of connecting element 3. Alternatively, outer races 41 and 39 can be configured such that spherical rolling elements 29 are fully received within connecting element 3.

(20) Outer races 39 and 41 are dimensioned such that a radial width 55 of outer races 39 and 41 corresponds to the radial dimension 57 of a spherical rolling element 29 placed on an outer race 39 and 41.

(21) Bushings 13 and 15 form ring flanges 59 and 61 between which the pair of rolling bearings 23 and connecting element 3 are securely supported. Outer races 39 and 41 are disposed between ring flanges 59 and 61. The outer diameters of ring flanges 59 and 61 can correspond to the outer diameters of outer races 39 and 41.

(22) Sealing elements 63 for sealing rolling bearings 25 and 27 can be mounted between bushings 13 and 15 and outer races 39 and 41. Sealing elements 63 can form braking members 65 for preventing rotation of seat 9 due to vibrations or gravity influences. Alternatively, braking members 65 can be present in other positions between seat 9 and connecting element 3.

(23) Fastening device 11 comprises a thread 67 and a screw head 69 to fasten attachment point 1 to an object to be lifted. Alternatively, other sufficiently load-bearing fastening devices can also be used. Fastening device 11, in addition to fastening attachment point 1 to an object to be lifted, serves holding together the two bushings 13 and 15 that are pressed together.

(24) Rolling bearings 25 and 27 are configured as solid balls and comprise no cages. This allows a particularly high load to be carried.

(25) FIG. 2a shows a section through a further advantageous embodiment of an attachment point 1 according to the invention in which upper bushing 13 has an inner thread 71. This embodiment can be screwed directly onto a fastening member provided with a mating thread, such as a threaded pin 73.

(26) For easy assembly, inner race 31 of bushing 13 can be formed as a drive mechanism 74, for example, as a polygonal head for a matching tool, such as a wrench. Bushing 13 can therewith be screwed onto threaded pin 73, whereby attachment point 1 is fastened to the object to be lifted.

(27) FIG. 2b shows attachment point 1 illustrated in FIG. 2a in a plan view.

(28) Bushing 13 comprises drive mechanism 74. Drive mechanism 74 is configured in the form of a hexagonal screw so that it can be driven by use of a suitable wrench or other tool to rotate about longitudinal axis 30. Bushing 13 has inner thread 71 for being screwed onto a fastening member such as a threaded pin 73.

(29) Connecting element 3 in this embodiment has an eccentrically disposed section 5 for receiving attachment element 7.

(30) In section 5, connecting element 3 comprises the end-to-end support opening 10, through which a fastening element 8 is guided. Fastening element 8 traverses attachment element 7, whereby attachment element 7 is supported captively and pivotally about pivot axis 6.

(31) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a further advantageous embodiment. Attachment element 7 is centrically attached to attachment point 1. When lifting a load, bearings 25 and 27 are primarily loaded in the axial direction.

(32) Connecting element 3 encloses seat 9 in an annular manner.

(33) Attachment element 7 with support elements 75 engages in correspondingly shaped seat openings 77 of connecting element 3 and is captively and pivotally held therein.

(34) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an attachment point 1 according to the invention with an alternative configuration of braking member 65.

(35) Connecting element 3 comprises a continuous annular groove 79 extending circumferentially about seat 9. Braking member 65 is received in annular groove 79. Braking member 65 establishes a frictionally engaged connection between connecting element 3 and seat 9.

(36) Annular groove 79 and braking member 65 are located in the area of the press-fit connection 17 interconnecting the two bushings 13 and 15. Annular groove 79 and braking member 65, as shown in FIG. 9, can from the perspective along longitudinal axis 30 of fastening device 11 be located centrally between the two ring flanges 59 and 61.

(37) As an alternative to a continuous annular braking member 65, at least one braking member 65 not extending annularly around seat 9 can be disposed between seat 9 and connecting element 3.

(38) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a further advantageous embodiment of an attachment point 1 according to the invention.

(39) If particularly high mobility of rotatable seat 9 is required or undesired rotation is to be excluded or negligible, then an attachment point 1 according to the invention can be formed without braking member 65.

(40) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a further advantageous embodiment of an attachment point 1 according to the invention.

(41) Inner races 31 and 33 and outer races 39 and 41 can be configured without undercuts. Inner races 31 and 33 and outer races 39 and 41 can comprise tracks 35, 37, 43 and 45 for rolling elements 29, where tracks 35, 37, 43, 45 have a substantially quarter-circle-shaped profile. This embodiment allows a reduced enclosure of rolling elements 29 by inner races 31 and 33 and outer races 39 and 41 as compared to tracks formed with undercuts, whereby the rolling resistance of rolling elements 29 is reduced.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(42) 1 attachment point

(43) 3 connecting element

(44) 5 section

(45) 6 pivot axis

(46) 7 attachment element

(47) 8 fixture element

(48) 9 seat

(49) 10 support opening

(50) 11 fastening device

(51) 13, 15 bushing

(52) 17 press-fit connection

(53) 19 groove

(54) 21 spring ring

(55) 23 pair of rolling bearings

(56) 25, 27 rolling bearing

(57) 29 rolling element

(58) 30 longitudinal axis

(59) 31, 33 inner race

(60) 34, 36, 42, 44 undercut

(61) 35, 37, 43, 45 track

(62) 39, 41 outer race

(63) 47, 49 flat recesses

(64) 51 upper side

(65) 53 lower side

(66) 55 radial width of the outer race

(67) 57 radial dimension of the rolling element

(68) 59, 61 ring flange

(69) 63 sealing element

(70) 65 braking member

(71) 67 thread

(72) 69 screw head

(73) 71 inner thread

(74) 73 threaded pin

(75) 74 drive mechanism

(76) 75 support element

(77) 77 seat opening

(78) 79 annular groove