SECUREMENT DEVICE FOR STONE AND STONE-LIKE SLABS

Abstract

A device and method for securing stone or stone-like slabs especially during transport, storage, and/or other stoppages, the device including opposing first and second jaws configured for being in a non-permanent engagement with one another in a plurality of positions, wherein each position defines a lateral or axial extent of a material receiving zone, the first jaw including a pivotally adjustable material contacting member configured for transverse movement relative to the lateral extent of the material receiving zone and the second jaw including a material contacting member configured for lateral movement within the material receiving zone opposing the pivotally adjustable material contacting member.

Claims

1. A securing device for stone and stone-like slabs comprising: a generally C-shaped frame extending from a first distal end portion through a middle portion to a second distal end portion; wherein the first distal end portion configurable to connect with a first bracing member; wherein second distal end portion configurable to connect with a second bracing member.

2. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 1 wherein the first bracing member comprises an elongated portion with a first and second bent tabs on opposing ends.

3. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 1 further comprising a threaded nut aligned with an aperture defined by the second distal end portion through which a threaded rod having an inboard end and an outboard end is receivable for movement between a first retracted position and a second extended position.

4. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 4 further comprising an engageable jaw attached to the inboard end of the threaded rod.

5. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 5 wherein the engageable jaw comprises adjustable means.

6. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 6 wherein the adjustable means include a ball joint.

7. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 3 further comprising a handle connected to the outboard end.

8. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 4 wherein the engageable jaw comprises engageable buffering material.

9. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 1 wherein the generally C-shaped frame is configurable to separate into first and second bent sections respectively integral with the first and second distal end portions, and respectively further comprising first and second proximal end sections.

10. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 9 wherein the first and second bent sections are mateable.

11. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 10 wherein the first proximal end section forms a sleeve through which the second proximal end section is insertable.

12. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 9 wherein first and second proximal end sections each define at least one bore alignable with one another.

13. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 12 further comprising a lynchpin simultaneously insertable through a bore defined by each of the first and second proximal end sections.

14. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 13 further comprising a cotter pin insertable through an at least one opening defined by the lynchpin.

15. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 2 further comprising a threaded bolt shank integral with the first distal end portion and wherein the first bracing member defines a hole through which the bolt shank is insertable.

16. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 15 further comprising a threaded wingnut engageable with the threaded bolt shank thereby retaining the first bracing member to the first distal end portion.

17. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 9 further comprising a corner reinforcement piece integral with a corner defined by the first bent section.

18. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 1 further comprising a side reinforcement piece integrated with the second distal end portion.

19. The securing device for stone and stone-like slabs of claim 18 wherein the side reinforcement piece comprises angle iron.

20. A securing device comprising: first and second jaw members in a non-permanent engagement with one another, wherein the engagement is enabled for adjustment of the first and second jaw members in a plurality of positions, each position defining a lateral extent of a material receiving zone between the first and second jaw members; a first material contacting member pivotally mounted on the first jaw member, wherein the material contacting member includes one or more material contacting surfaces configured to move in a transverse position relative to the lateral extent of the material receiving zone; and a second material contacting member mounted on the second jaw member, wherein the material contacting member includes one or more material contacting surfaces configured to move in a lateral position within the material receiving zone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Various aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

[0019] FIG. 1 is a first perspective schematic view of the elements of a material securing device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a second perspective schematic view of the material securing device of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of the material securing device of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the material securing device of FIG. 1 illustrating the elements of the device in an engaged condition; and

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the material securing device of FIG. 1 illustrating the device in the engaged condition in operation to secure sheets of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention along with practical or advantageous uses thereof, but is not intended to represent the only embodiments or uses in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention and in some instances may not include specific details of what is believed to be known features and elements may be shown or mentioned with an abbreviated description in order to avoid obscuring concepts of the invention. However, such known features and elements are believed to be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it should be further apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without all of the specific details and such known features and elements.

[0025] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each claim's language, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless specifically so stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by this application. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in any claim(s). No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase step for.

[0026] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art(s), aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or structure. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Aspects of the invention were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0027] FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 depict a material securing device 100 constructed in accordance with the invention generally comprising a frame 102 composed of a first jaw member 104 and an opposing second jaw member 106. Jaw member 104 and jaw member 106 are adapted and configured to be in a laterally adjustable, non-permanent engagement with one another and a material receiving zone, wherein jaw members 104 and 106 (or jaws 104 and 106) each include material contacts that can be adjusted to secure material within the material receiving zone.

[0028] In this embodiment, jaw 104 is generally L-shaped with a first arm 108 defining an elongated neck 110 adjoining an elbow portion 112 which is further adjoined to a second arm 114 including a first material contact assembly 116. Jaw 106 of this embodiment is also generally L-shaped with a first arm 118 including an elongated sleeve 120 adjoining an elbow portion 122 which is further adjoined to a second arm 124 including a second material contact assembly 126. Elbow portions 112 and/or 122 may include a gusset for reinforcement.

[0029] Sleeve 120 defines a channel 128 for receiving neck 110 therein thus connecting first jaw 104 and second jaw 106 to one other at first arm 108 and first arm 118, respectively, and forming a material receiving zone 130 defined laterally between respective second arms 114 and 124. First arm 108 and first arm 118 may be further engaged with one another through any conventional adjustable fastening means.

[0030] In this embodiment, sleeve 120 includes an opening 132 and neck 110 includes openings 134 which enable first arm 108 and first arm 118 to be engaged with one another via clevis pin 136 and hitch pin 138. Inserting clevis pin 136 through opening 132 and openings 134 and securing with hitch pin 138 advantageously enables first jaw 104 and second jaw 106 to be adjusted axially relative to the axis formed by elongated sleeve 120 and neck 110. The axial adjustment of jaw 104 and jaw 106 relative to one another correspondingly adjusts the axial or lateral extent of material receiving zone 130, as shown particularly in FIG. 4.

[0031] In this embodiment, first material contact assembly 116 of jaw 104 includes a material contact 140 which is laterally or axially adjustable for movement along the axis defined by the engagement of sleeve 120 and neck 110. In this embodiment, material contact 140 is made adjustable via a screw, collar and handle assembly 142.

[0032] In this embodiment, second material contact assembly 126 of jaw 106 includes a bracket 144 including two opposing contacts 146 extending transverse to the axis of second arm 124 and axially into material receiving zone 130. Bracket 144 is mounted to second arm 124 to enable pivoting motion of opposing contacts 146 within material receiving zone 130. The pivoting motion of bracket 144 also enables radially movement of contacts 146 with respect to the axis defined by elongated sleeve 120 and neck 110 when jaws 104 and 106 are engaged to one another.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates material securing device 100 in operation in an embodiment wherein device 100 is used particularly to restrict lateral movement of sheets of material 2, such as slabs of stone. Device 100 is positioned so that portions of sheets of material 2 are within material receiving zone 130. Neck 110 is inserted within receiving channel 128 of sleeve 120 and engaged in the desired position by clevis pin 136 and hitch pin 138, thus securing jaws 104 and 106 to one another and defining an initial lateral extent of material receiving zone 130. Contacts 146 are positioned in contact with the sheets of material 2, with the pivoting motion of bracket 144 facilitating desirable contact between contacts 146 and sheets of material 2, including sheets of material 2 that may be supported or leaning in an angular position within material receiving zone 130. Material contact 140 may then be adjusted axially within the material receiving zone 130 until desirable contact force is applied to secure sheets of material 2 in zone 130 is achieved.

[0034] FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate an example of one embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention. However, the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. The invention illustratively discloses herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0035] Thus, while exemplary apparatus, devices, systems and methods of the invention have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiment should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein, in the claims and any equivalents thereto.