Adjustable spreader bar

Abstract

A spreader bar apparatus provides a bar member having a bar length and first and second bar end portions. A plurality of stops (e.g., transverse bar openings) are spaced between the bar and end portions. A first bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. A second bar lifting portion or link assembly is movable relative to the bar and into different positions. Each bar lifting portion or link assembly has a trunnion sleeve fitted with multiple links. One or more lifting lines are each attachable to the lifting portions such as to an upper link or lower link. Each lifting member includes an upper link, a lower link, and a trunnion sleeve, wherein the trunnion sleeve has a bore that is sized and shaped to receive the bar, wherein the upper and lower links are rotatably mounted to the trunnion sleeve.

Claims

1. A spreader bar apparatus, comprising: a) a bar member having a bar length, first and second bar end portions, and a plurality of stops spaced between said first and second bar end portions; b) a first movable fitting movable on said bar member; c) a second movable fitting movable on said bar member; d) each fitting movable from a selected one of said plurality of stops to another selected one of said plurality of stops; e) each said movable fitting including first and second opposed, laterally extending projections, each said projection having a load transfer surface that is configured to connect to a sling or a lift line; f) multiple lifting lines or slings that are attachable to the first and second fittings, each said line or sling having a pair of end portions, each end portion having a loop; g) wherein each said fitting includes a sleeve, wherein the sleeve has a bore that is receptive of the bar member; h) locks that secure each said fitting to the bar member at a selected stop; i) said lines or slings including a first line or sling that attaches to the first fitting by connecting the said loops to the projection load transfer surfaces and extending above the bar member and a second line or sling that attaches to the first fitting by connecting the said loops to the projection load transfer surfaces and extending from the first fitting below the bar member; j) said lines or slings including a third line or sling that attaches to the second fitting by connecting the loops to the projection load transfer surfaces and extending above the bar member and a fourth line or sling that attaches to the second fitting by connecting the loops to the projection load transfer surfaces and extending from the second fitting below the bar member; k) wherein each said loop attaches to a said load transfer surface; and l) wherein the said loops of each said line or sling connect to said first and second projections at a said load transfer surface.

2. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or both of said movable fittings has transverse openings that extend through said sleeve.

3. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lock includes a pinned connection that enables a connection of each sleeve to a selected stop.

4. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said stop includes one or more bar openings.

5. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 4 wherein each bar opening is receptive of said lock wherein said pinned connection includes a pin that occupies a said bar opening.

6. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pinned connection included a pin that joins each sleeve to a selected bar opening.

7. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 6 wherein the pinned connection connects each sleeve to the bar member at a selected opening and the pin extends to each projection.

8. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lock includes a pinned connection that connects each sleeve to the bar member at a selected stop and wherein the pinned connection connects to the sleeve.

9. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein each load transfer surface is a part of a laterally extending member that is connected to and that extends laterally away from a said sleeve.

10. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 9 wherein the lock includes a pinned connection that connects to a fitting and said sleeve in between said laterally extending members.

11. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stops include spaced apart bar openings.

12. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of stops are pairs of aligned openings.

13. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bar openings include a pair of horizontally aligned openings that are each equidistant from a said bar end portion.

14. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bar openings are pairs of aligned openings.

15. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein each load transfer surface is a curved outer surface.

16. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said load transfer surface is a generally cylindrically shaped surface.

17. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 1 wherein each projection has an end plate attached thereto at a position spaced away from said sleeve.

18. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 17 wherein each said projection has a bore and wherein each said end plate has a plate opening that is in communication with a said projection bore.

19. The spreader bar apparatus of claim 18 further comprising one or more pins, wherein each said pin extends to each said bore of said projection in a loading position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with slings/lift lines removed for clarity;

(6) FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the support stand;

(7) FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the support stand;

(8) FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end view showing the support stand of FIGS. 5 and 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a locking position of the pin, end piece or end fitting and bar member;

(10) FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view showing an end piece or end fitting;

(11) FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an end piece or end fitting or trunion;

(12) FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top view showing an end piece, end fitting or trunion;

(13) FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end view showing an end piece, end fitting, or trunion;

(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an end piece, end fitting, or trunion; and

(15) FIG. 14 is an exploded partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) FIGS. 1-14 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral 10. Apparatus 10 can be manufactured of welded steel construction. Adjustable spreader bar apparatus 10 has two (2) spaced apart movable end pieces or end fittings 18, 19 that can be adjustably placed at selected positions along bar member 11. Bar member 11 has ends or end portions 12, 13.

(17) End pieces, end fittings or trunions 18, 19 can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 10-13. A support 14, 15 can be used to support bar member 11 when the apparatus 10 rests upon an underlying surface such as a concrete slab, shop floor, gravel filled surface, construction yard or the like. Support or bar support 14 can support bar end or end portion 12. Support or bar support 15 can support bar end or end portion 13 as seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 8-9. Supports 14, 15 can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 5-7.

(18) Stops are preferably provided along the length of bar member 11 so that a selected end piece, end fitting or trunion 18, 19 can be locked or affixed to bar member 11 at a selected locale. In this fashion, bar apparatus 10 can be adjusted to lift objects of differing dimensions. For a smaller object that is to be lifted, the end pieces, end fittings or trunions 18, 19 can be placed closer together on bar member 11. For a larger object that is to be lifted, the end pieces, end fittings or trunions 18, 19 can be placed farther apart on bar member 11.

(19) Each end piece, end fitting or trunion 18, 19 can be secured or locked to bar member 11 at a selected location. Locking can be achieved by using a locking pin or pinned connection 30. The locking pin or pinned connection 30 can utilize openings or transverse openings 16 in bar member 11 as well as openings 32 in sleeve 31 of end piece 18, 19. FIG. 8 shows locking pin or pinned connection 30 extending through opposed openings 16 in bar member 11 as well as through openings 32 in sleeve 31. In FIG. 14, bar member 11 can be a tubular or pipe with a hollow bore or central longitudinal bore 33. Alternatively, bar member 11 can be a solid bar not having a bore.

(20) Sleeve 31 has a hollow bore 34 that is sized and shaped to receive bar member 11. For example, bar member 11 can be cylindrically shaped or tubular and wherein sleeve 31 bore 34 is preferably correspondingly cylindrically shaped. In this fashion, sleeve 31 preferably slides over but conforms closely to the outer surface 35 of bar member 11. Sleeve 31 has inside surface 36 that conforms closely to outer surface 35 so that sliding of sleeve 31 upon bar 11 is enabled.

(21) Laterally extending sleeves 38, 39 are connected to sleeve 31 at welds 37 (see FIGS. 10-13). Each laterally extending sleeve 38, 39 has an end plate 40, 41 opposite welds 37 as seen in FIGS. 10-13. End plate 40 is connected to laterally extending sleeve 38 (e.g., weld connection). End plate 41 is connected to laterally extending sleeve 39 (e.g., weld connection). Each end plate 40, 41 has a large plate opening 48, 49 and a pair of smaller plate openings 44, 45. Plate 40 has larger plate opening 48. Plate 41 has larger plate opening 49. Each laterally extending sleeve 38, 39 has a sleeve bore 46, 47 respectively (see FIGS. 8 and 13). The sleeve bores 46, 47 and larger plate openings 48, 49 enable access for placing pin or pinned connection 30 into aligned openings 16, 32 when affixing a selected end piece, end fitting or trunion 18, 19 to bar member 11 at a selected opening 16 (e.g., see FIG. 8).

(22) Each end plate 40, 41 can provide a slot 42, 43 (see FIGS. 10 and 12) for enabling handling by a user such as when end piece 18, 19 must be moved to a different position on bar member 11. Openings 44, 45 are smaller plate openings that can be fitted with keeper bolt and nut 63, or tugger lines.

(23) Each laterally extending sleeve 38, 39 preferably provides an outer surface 50, 51 that is a load transfer surface for transfer of load to slings 20, 21 or 24, 25. In FIG. 1, slings 20 and 21 are slings that attach to end fitting, end piece or trunion 18. In FIG. 1, slings 24 and 25 are slings that attach to end piece, end fitting or trunion 19. Slings 21 and 25 are downwardly extending slings that can be attached to an object to be lifted using shackles 23, 27 and rings 28, 29 or other rigging. Slings 20, 24 are upwardly extending slings that can be attached to lift lines of a crane or other lifting device or to rigging that attaches to the crane or lift device lift line(s). Slings 20, 24 can be fitted with shackles 22, 26 or other rigging to provide a load transfer interface between slings 20, 24 and a crane or other lifting device. Each sling 20, 21, 24, 25 can have a pair of end loops L. Loops L preferably enable easy connection or rigging of a sling 20, 21, 24, 25 to a selected end fitting 18, 19 at a selected laterally extending sleeve 38, 39 as seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 10-13. Slings 20, 21, 24, 25 having pairs of loops L are commercially available. In FIGS. 1-3 and 10-13, each sling loop L preferably attaches to a laterally extending sleeve 38, 39 of a selected end fitting 18, 19 at a position in between weld 37 and an end plate 40 or 41.

(24) In FIG. 8, locking pin 30 can be provided with pin openings at 52, 53. Each pin opening 52, 53 can be fitted with a fastener 54, 55 so that pin 30 cannot be dislodged during a lift. Fasteners 54, 55 can be bolts or all threaded rods fitted with nuts 56. In FIG. 8, fastener 54 occupies pin opening 52. Fastener 55 occupies pin opening 53.

(25) In FIGS. 1, 5-7 and 14, each bar support 14, 15 can include base plate 57, vertical plate 58 and a generally U-shaped cradle 59. Parts 57, 58, 59 can be welded together. Cradle 59 is sized and shaped to conform to the shape of outer surface 35 of bar member 11. Each bar support 14, 15 can be secured to a provided transverse opening or openings in bar member 11 with a bolted connection (e.g., bolt 61 and nut 62) that passes through provided cradle openings 60 (see FIGS. 1, 5-7 and 14).

(26) Keeper bolts/nuts 63 can be connected to end plates at smaller openings 44, 45. These keeper nut and bolt arrangements prevent disengagement of a sling 20, 21 and 24, 25 from an end piece 18, 19.

(27) The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

(28) TABLE-US-00002 PARTS LIST: PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 adjustable spreader bar apparatus 11 bar member/bar/pipe 12 bar end/bar end portion 13 bar end/bar end portion 14 support/bar support 15 support/bar support 16 bar opening/transverse opening 18 end piece/fitting/trunion 19 end piece/fitting/trunion 20 sling 21 sling 22 shackle 23 shackle 24 sling 25 sling 26 shackle 27 shackle 28 ring 29 ring 30 locking pin 31 sleeve 32 opening 33 hollow bore/bar central longitudinal bore 34 sleeve bore 35 outer surface 36 inner surface 37 weld 38 laterally extending sleeve 39 laterally extending sleeve 40 end plate 41 end plate 42 slot 43 slot 44 plate small opening 45 plate small opening 46 sleeve bore 47 sleeve bore 48 plate large opening 49 plate large opening 50 load transfer surface 51 load transfer surface 52 pin opening 53 pin opening 54 fastener 55 fastener 56 nut 57 base plate 58 vertical plate 59 cradle 60 cradle opening 61 bolt 62 nut 63 keeper bolt and nut L loop

(29) All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

(30) The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.