SELF-SUSPENDING LOCK WITH WINGS AND SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus is comprised of a securement base member and a self-suspending system. The securement base member includes a top end, a bottom end on an opposite side of the securement base member from the top end, a first side, a second side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the first side, a third side, a fourth side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the third side, and an opening disposed within the top end, the opening to accept a fastener. The self-suspending system is coupled to the top end of the securement base member, the self-suspending system suspending the securement base member below two portions of a surface having a slot therebetween.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a securement base member including a top end, a bottom end on an opposite side of the securement base member from the top end, a first side, a second side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the first side, a third side, a fourth side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the third side, and an opening disposed within the top end, the opening to accept a fastener; and a self-suspending system coupled to the top end of the securement base member, the self-suspending system to suspend the securement base member below two portions of a surface having a slot therebetween.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-suspending system includes first and second wings coupled to the top end of the securement base member, the first wing being disposed proximate to the first side of the securement base member and the second wing being disposed proximate to the second side of the securement base member, each of the first and second wings comprising: a suspension arm including a first end and a second end, the first end of the suspension arm being coupled to the top end of the securement base member; and a cross member coupled to the second end of the suspension arm, the cross member to lie atop the two portions of the surface having a slot therebetween.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suspension arm includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion coupled to the top end of the securement base member at an acute angle facing away from the securement base member, and the second arm portion coupled to the first arm portion at an obtuse angle facing away from the securement base member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the top end includes angled surfaces on either side of a central portion of the top end.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the opening extends through the securement base member from the top end to the bottom end.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the opening is circular.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein both the top and bottom ends are planar, with the top end being parallel with the bottom end.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the securement base member includes a first width that is smaller than a second width between two portions of the surface such that planes of the first and second sides of the securement base member remain substantially parallel to planes of neighboring surfaces, respectively, during installation of the apparatus onto the surface .

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a nut disposed proximate to the bottom end of the securement base member, the nut being accessible via the opening.

10. A system comprised of the apparatus according to claim 1, the system further comprising a bracket coupled to the apparatus via a fastener.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the bracket is a tie down bracket.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the bracket is a fence bracket, the system further comprising a fence panel coupled to the fence bracket.

13. A system comprising: an apparatus comprised of a securement base member and a self-suspending system, securement base member including a top end, a bottom end on an opposite side of the securement base member from the top end, a first side, a second side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the first side, a third side, a fourth side on an opposite side of the securement base member from the third side, and an opening disposed within the top end, the opening to accept a fastener, the self-suspending system being coupled to the top end of the securement base member, the self-suspending system to suspend the securement base member below two portions of a surface having a slot therebetween; and a bracket coupled to the apparatus via a fastener.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the bracket is a tie down bracket.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the bracket is a fence bracket, the system further comprising a fence panel coupled to the fence bracket.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the self-suspending system includes first and second wings coupled to the top end of the securement base member, the first wing being disposed proximate to the first side of the securement base member and the second wing being disposed proximate to the second side of the securement base member, each of the first and second wings comprising: a suspension arm including a first end and a second end, the first end of the suspension arm being coupled to the top end of the securement base member; and a cross member coupled to the second end of the suspension arm, the cross member to lie atop the two portions of the surface having a slot therebetween.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the suspension arm includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion coupled to the top end of the securement base member at an acute angle facing away from the securement base member, and the second arm portion coupled to the first arm portion at an obtuse angle facing away from the securement base member.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the top end includes angled surfaces on either side of a central portion of the top end.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein the opening extends through the securement base member from the top end to the bottom end.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein the securement base member includes a first width that is smaller than a second width between two portions of the surface such that planes of the third and fourth sides of the securement base member remain parallel to vertical walls of neighboring surfaces, respectively, during installation of the apparatus onto the slotted surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary self-suspending lock with wings, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary fastener that can be used with the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein;

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 1 with the fastener shown in FIG. 3 installed therein, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein;

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a technician installing the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 1 onto slotted flooring, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein;

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 5 after the technician has completed installation thereof, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; and

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates the self-suspending lock shown in FIG. 1 used to secure a fence panel onto slotted flooring, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0034] While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

[0035] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0036] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an apparatus is disclosed, such as a self-suspending lock 100. The self-suspending lock 100 can be used to secure fixtures, such as brackets that support livestock fencing and gates, to a slotted floor or “slat” without having to manually suspend the self-suspending lock 100 during installation, as discussed in more detail below (of course, while not being limited thereto, wherein the apparatus can be used to secure fixtures to a surface by being directed through a slot between two spaced apart portions of the surface, with the understanding that the two portions may comprise a unitary structure with a slot defined therein, thereby forming spaced apart portions on either side of the slot). The self-suspending lock 100 includes a securement base member 110 and a self-suspending system 101 to self-suspend the securement base member 110 during installation, as discussed below. The securement base member 110 includes a top end 111 and a bottom end 112 on an opposite side of the securement base member 110 from the top end 111. The securement base member 110 also includes a first side 113 and a second side 114 on an opposite side of the securement base member 110 from the first side 113. The securement base member 110 yet further includes a third side 115 and a fourth side 116 on an opposite side of the securement base member 110 from the third side 115. To allow the securement base member 110 to accept a fastener, such as bolt 310 (e.g., metal or durable plastic, such as nylon) shown in FIG. 3, the securement base member 110 even further includes an opening 117 disposed within the top end 111. In at least one configuration, the securement base member 110 includes a width W1 that is smaller than a width W2 between slats 511 (FIG. 2) of a slotted floor 510 (FIG. 5). It is contemplated that the securement base member may be hollowed so as to save weight and/or for purposes of molding. In other configurations, the securement base member may be solid (other than the opening).

[0037] Planes of the first and second sides 113, 114 of the securement base member 110 remain parallel to vertical walls 512 of neighboring slats 511, respectively, during installation of the self-suspending lock 100 between the slats 511 of the slotted floor 510. Thus, the self-suspending lock 100 can be installed between the slats 511 of the slotted floor 510 without having to tilt the self-suspending lock 100 during installation, thereby simplifying installation of the self-suspending lock 100 between the slats 511. In at least one configuration, the top end 111 includes angled surfaces 119 on either side of a central portion 120 of the top end 111, as shown, although in still at least one other configuration the top end 111 can be planar entirely across.

[0038] In other configurations, the top end 111 may comprise an outwardly convex surface that may be rounded or arcuate (i.e., much like a half moon shape). Additionally, other shapes that may engage different types of structures (flooring components, among other non-flooring components) are likewise contemplated for use. Such shapes may include serrations, convex or concave configurations, or the like on the top end. Such configurations may be symmetrical about the opening, or may be non-symmetrical.

[0039] In at least one configuration, both the top and bottom ends 111, 112 of the securement base member 110 are planar, with the top end 111 of the securement base member 110 being parallel with the bottom end 112 of the securement base member 110, as shown. In other configurations, the top and bottom ends 111, 112 of the securement base member 110 can be domed, either concave or convex, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The top and bottom ends 111, 112 can even be oppositely domed, for example the top end 111 of the securement base member 110 can be convex and the bottom end 112 of the securement base member 110 can be concave.

[0040] The opening 117 can extend through the securement base member 110 from the top end 111 to the bottom end 112. In at least one other configurations, the opening 117 can extend through the top end 111 of the securement base member 110, but end before reaching the bottom end 112 of the securement base member 110. In at least one configuration, the opening 117 is circular to match a shape of a fastener, such as the bolt 310. In other configurations, the opening 117 can be other shapes, such as square, oval, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other shapes that allow the fastener to be disposed within the opening 117.

[0041] The self-suspending system 101 is shown as being coupled to the top end 111 of the securement base member 110. Such coupling of the self-suspending system 101 to the top end 111 of the securement base member 110 stabilizes the self-suspending lock 100 during installation, mitigating stabilization problems associated with a typical lock. The self-suspending system 101 suspends the securement base member 110 below the slats 511 of the slotted floor 510. Although the self-suspending system 101 can take on various configurations, in at least one configuration the self-suspending system 101 includes first and second wings 121, 122 coupled to the top end 111 of the securement base member 110. The first wing 121 is disposed proximate to the first side 113 of the securement base member 110 and the second wing 122 being disposed proximate to the second side 114 of the securement base member 110. As the first and second wings 121, 122 are substantially identically configured, each of the first and second wings 121, 122 include a suspension arm 124 and a cross member 123. The suspension arm 124 includes a first end 114 and a second end 115. The first end 114 of the suspension arm 124 is coupled to the top end 111 of the securement base member 110, as shown. The cross member 123 is coupled to the second end 115 of the suspension arm 124, the cross member 123 having a width W3 that allows the cross member 123 to lie atop the slats 511 of the slotted floor 510. The securement base member 110 and the suspension system 101 can be made of a durable plastic, such as nylon.

[0042] In at least one configuration, the suspension arm 124 can be entirely straight, but in at least one other configuration the suspension arm 124 includes a first arm portion 124a and a second arm portion 124b. The first arm portion 124a is coupled to the top end 111 of the securement base member 110 at an acute angle A1 that faces away from the securement base member 110. The second arm portion 124b is coupled to the first arm portion 124a at an obtuse angle A2 that faces away from the securement base member 110. In at least one configuration, although the shown angle A2 is larger than the angle A1, in other configurations the angle A2 can be smaller than the angle A1.

[0043] To secure the self-suspending lock 100 to a bracket, examples of which are discussed below, via the bolt 310, a nut 118 can be disposed proximate to the bottom end 112 of the securement base member 110. In at least one configuration, the bolt 310 can be used in combination with a washer 312 (FIG. 3), that can be made of either a metal or a durable plastic, such as nylon. This nut 118 is accessible via the opening 117, such that the bolt 310 is disposed into the opening 117 and secured to the nut 118. Rotating the bolt 310 draws the nut 118, and likewise the securement base member 110, toward the slats 511 until the top end 111 of the securement base member 110 is secured against a bottom of the slats 511. The nut 118 can be integrated with the securement base member 110 during manufacture of the self-suspending lock 100, either of a same material as the securement base member 110 or a different material as the securement base member 110, or added to the securement base member 110 post manufacturer, such as when a technician is preparing to install the self-suspending lock 100. In some configurations, the nut 118 may be molded into the securement base member 110. As with the bolt, the nut 118 may comprise any number of different materials, such as metal or a durable plastic, such as nylon or the like. Although a bolt 310 and a nut 118 are disclosed herein to fasten the self-suspending lock 100 to a bracket and the slotted floor 510, other types of fasteners can be used, including non-threaded fasteners.

[0044] In some configurations, a piece of material may extend into the path of the fastener, such as a piece of plastic (i.e., from which the securement base member is made). Such a piece of material performs can apply a radial compressive force onto the fastener against the threads to prevent relative movement between the body and the fastener, to, in turn, aid grasping and retention.

[0045] At least one self-suspending lock 100 can be used within a system, such as system 500 shown in FIG. 5. The system 500 further includes a bracket that is coupled to the self-suspending lock 100, such as tie down bracket 530. In this example, the tie down bracket 530 includes two (2) openings 531 that are disposed proximate to either ends thereof. During installation of the system 500, the technician first grasps the first and second wings 121, 122 of the two (2) self-suspending locks 100 and bends (i.e., squeezes) them to be vertical. The two (2) self-suspending locks 100 are then dropped between two (2) neighboring slats 511 and rotated ninety (90) degrees to prevent the securement base member 110 from moving vertically to be removed from between the two neighboring slats 511. The self-suspending locks 100 self-suspending to prevent the self-suspending locks 100 from falling under the slotted floor 510 during installation. The two self-suspending locks 100 are spaced approximately a same distance apart as the openings 531 within the tie down bracket 530. Then, two bolts 310, with washers 312 installed onto the bolts 310, are disposed through these openings 531. The two bolts 310 are aligned with the two self-suspending locks 100 such that the bolts 310 can enter the openings 117 on the securement base members 110, respectively.

[0046] As shown, the bolts 310 can be tightened with one hand 505 of a technician while the other hand 506 of the technician holds the tie down bracket 530. The technician does not need to manually hold the two self-suspending locks 100 during such installation of the bolts 310. As the technician continues to tighten the bolts 310, the self-suspending locks 100 are drawn upward as the tie down bracket 530 is drawn downward, both toward the slates 511. Once both the self-suspending locks 100 and the tie down bracket 530 are drawn against the slats 511, a ratchet and socket (not shown), or similar tool, can be used to secure the tie down bracket 530 against the slats 511 so as to not be easily removed without use of the ratchet and socket.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows another system 600 in which only one (1) of two (2) self-suspending locks 100 is shown as coupling another type of bracket 630 to two (2) neighboring slats 511 of the slotted floor 510. FIG. 7 shows yet another system 700 in which two (2) of the self-suspending locks 100 are shown as coupling yet another type of bracket, a fence bracket 730 to the slotted floor 510. As shown, the system 500 further includes a fence panel 720 coupled to the fence bracket 730. The brackets 630, 730 are coupled to the self-suspending locks 100 and the slotted floor 510 in a similar manner as described above for the tie down bracket 530. Thus, the self-suspending locks 100 can be constructed to have strength needed to support the fence panel 720 or any other fixture that requires such strength.

[0048] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.