Hands-free support bolt and method

A mounting system includes a support including a threaded rod and a fixture including an aperture configured to be positioned over the threaded rod. The system also includes a catch bar coupled to the threaded rod and moveable relative to the threaded rod between a first position wherein the catch bar permits the aperture to be positioned over the threaded rod, and a second position wherein the catch bar extends at least partially radially outwardly from the threaded rod to thereby retain the fixture on the threaded rod.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support bolt and, more particularly, to a hands-free support bolt for supporting a fixture in position for mounting to a post and to a related method.

BACKGROUND

Objects, such as light fixtures, are commonly mounted to supports, such as posts, in order to install the object in a desired location. Mounting operations may require a number of installers working together, or may require a single installer to align the object to be mounted in an appropriate position for mounting, and then simultaneously hold the object in place while performing other tasks directed to coupling the object to the support, such as reaching for and/or handling tools, fasteners, and other objects. In cases where the object to be mounted is heavy, awkwardly shaped, or otherwise difficult to handle, this process may be unduly cumbersome and can result in the installer mishandling or dropping the object, which may cause damage to the components.

In an attempt to address this problem, some mounting operations include mounting an external bracket between a fixture and a post. The fixture may then be supported by the post, via the external bracket, while the installer performs other intermediary tasks to complete mounting of the fixture to the post. Thus, the external bracket may enable “hands-free” support of the fixture in position for mounting. However, this requires the installer (or manufacturer of the post) to perform the additional step of mounting the external bracket, thereby increasing the time and/or cost required to complete the mounting operation.

Thus, there is a need for improved systems and methods for providing hands-free support of an object in position for mounting to a support.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a mounting system includes a support including a threaded rod and a fixture including an aperture configured to be positioned over the threaded rod. The system also includes a catch bar coupled to the threaded rod and moveable relative to the threaded rod between a first position wherein the catch bar permits the aperture to be positioned over the threaded rod, and a second position wherein the catch bar extends at least partially radially outwardly from the threaded rod to thereby retain the fixture on the threaded rod. The catch bar may be pivotable relative to the threaded rod between a first orientation wherein the catch bar extends generally parallel to an axis of the threaded rod and a second orientation wherein the catch bar extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the threaded rod. In another embodiment, the catch bar may be resilient and may be expandable from a compressed state wherein the catch bar permits the aperture to be positioned over the threaded rod to an expanded state wherein the catch bar extends at least partially radially outwardly from the threaded rod.

In another embodiment, a method of mounting a fixture to a support includes aligning the fixture with the support advancing an aperture of the fixture over a threaded rod of the support and actuating the threaded rod between a first configuration wherein the aperture can be received over the threaded rod, and a second configuration wherein the fixture is retained against movement off of the threaded rod prior to advancing a threaded fastener over the threaded rod. The method also includes advancing a threaded fastener over the threaded rod to secure the fixture to the support. Actuating the threaded rod may include pivoting a catch bar of the threaded rod from a first orientation wherein the catch bar extends generally parallel to an axis of the threaded rod toward a second orientation wherein the catch bar extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the threaded rod. In another embodiment, actuating the threaded rod comprises automatically expanding a catch bar of the threaded rod from a compressed state wherein the catch bar permits the aperture to be received over the threaded rod to an expanded state wherein the catch bar extends at least partially radially outwardly from the threaded rod.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the drawings, which are described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3, a lighting assembly10including a light fixture12mounted to a post14via an exemplary hands-free support bolt16and a second bolt18(e.g., a conventional bolt) is shown in accordance with one embodiment. As set forth in greater detail below, the support bolt16includes a moveable catch bar20for providing auxiliary support to at least temporarily retain the light fixture12on the support bolt16. More particularly, the catch bar20of the support bolt16may prevent the fixture12from slipping off of the support bolt16, and thus may relieve an installer of the need to manually support or steady the fixture12while simultaneously performing other tasks. In this manner, the fixture12may be fully supported by the post14, via the support bolt16, while the installer performs other intermediary tasks to complete a more permanent mounting of the fixture12to the post14. Therefore, the support bolt16may enable hands-free support of the fixture12in position for mounting. The features of the support bolt16are set forth in further detail below to clarify each of these functional advantages and other benefits provided in this disclosure.

The illustrated light fixture12includes a housing22and a cover24removably attached to the housing22for concealing electrical cables or other components supplying electricity to a lighting element (not shown) mounted in the housing22. The housing22includes a rear portion26configured to abut the post14when the light fixture12is mounted thereto. As shown, first and second bolt apertures30,32are provided in the rear portion26for receiving the support bolt16and the second bolt18, respectively. A cable aperture34is also provided in the rear portion26to allow the passage of electrical cables therethrough. It will be appreciated that the light fixture12may be configured in any suitable manner without departing from the scope of the invention.

The post14includes an elongate hollow body40extending from a bottom end (not shown) to a top end42and a cap44coupled to the hollow body40at the top end42for protecting the interior of the hollow body40from rain and/or other elements. As shown, the hollow body40is generally square-shaped in cross section, and includes a front wall50, a rear wall52, and first and second side walls54,56. A cable aperture60is provided in the front wall50for alignment with the cable aperture34of the fixture12to allow the passage of electrical cables into the interior of the hollow body40for electrically coupling the lighting element of the fixture12to an electrical grid for providing electricity to the lighting element. The support bolt16and second bolt18each extend from an exterior surface of the front wall50for alignment with the first and second bolt apertures30,32of the fixture12, respectively. In the embodiment shown, first and second elongate bolt apertures62,64are provided in the front wall50for receiving the support bolt16and the second bolt18, respectively. The first and second elongate bolt apertures62,64may provide adjustability to the positions of the support bolt16and second bolt18relative to each other and/or relative to the first and second bolt apertures30,32of the fixture12.

As shown, the support bolt16includes a threaded rod having a generally cylindrical body70extending along an axis between proximal and distal ends72,74, and a helical threading76provided on the outer surface of the body70(FIG. 4A). An elongate slot80extends into the body70from the distal end74toward the proximal end72for receiving the moveable catch bar20. In the embodiment shown, the moveable catch bar20is pivotable. To that end, a pin82is inserted through aligned pin apertures84,86in the outer surface of the body70adjacent the distal end74and in the catch bar20to thereby pivotably couple the catch bar20to the body70. As shown, the catch bar20may have a thickness slightly less than the width of the elongate slot80such that the catch bar20may moveably fit therein, and may be generally rectangular in profile with a length greater than the height of the elongate slot80(e.g., the diameter of the body70) and/or greater than the cross dimension of the first bolt aperture30and a height less than or approximately equal to the height of the elongate slot80, for purposes which will be described more fully below.

In the embodiment shown, the support bolt16and second bolt18are each fixedly secured to the post14. To that end, the support bolt16and second bolt18are threadably received by first and second threaded receiving nuts90,92(FIG. 4A), respectively, which are fixedly secured to an interior surface of the front wall50, and the support bolt16and second bolt18pass through the elongate bolt apertures62,64to the exterior of the post14so as to extend from the exterior surface of the front wall50. The receiving nuts90,92may be fixedly secured to the front wall50in any suitable manner, such as via a bracket94and/or welding. Alternatively, the support bolt16and second bolt18may each include a head (not shown) positioned adjacent the interior surface of the front wall50in place of the illustrated receiving nuts90,92, and may be fixedly secured directly thereto or to the illustrated bracket94, such as by welding. In other cases, the first and second elongate bolt apertures62,64may be eliminated and the support bolt16and second bolt18may extend directly from an exterior surface of the front wall50. It will be appreciated that the support bolt16and second bolt18may be secured to the post in a variety of different ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

In any event, first and second threaded nuts100,102are threadably received over the support bolt16and second bolt18, respectively, to clamp the rear portion26of the fixture12against the front wall50of the post14, as shown inFIG. 2, to substantially permanently mount the fixture12to the post14. One or more washers, such as a lock washer104, may be positioned over either bolt, such as the support bolt16, between the rear portion26of the fixture12and the front wall50of the post14, as shown inFIG. 3.

With specific reference now toFIGS. 4A-4D, a method of mounting the fixture12to the post14with the support bolt16is described. Initially, the rear portion26of the fixture12may be advanced toward the front wall50of the post14, as indicated by the arrow A1, with the first and second bolt apertures30,32of the fixture12aligned with the support bolt16and second bolt18of the post14, respectively, and with the catch bar20of the support bolt16radially within the support bolt16(FIG. 4A). To that end, the catch bar20is in a first orientation wherein the catch bar20extends generally parallel to the axis of the support bolt16, so that the catch bar20is radially within the support bolt16by virtue of the height of the catch bar20being less than or equal to the height of the elongate slot80. With the catch bar20in the first orientation, the lock washer104is advanced over the support bolt16, and the fixture12is advanced toward the front wall50of the post14, as indicated by the arrow A2, such that the support bolt16and second bolt18are received by the first and second bolt apertures30,32, respectively (FIG. 4B). Due to the catch bar20being radially within the support bolt16, the catch bar20may avoid interfering with the advancement of the first bolt aperture30over the support bolt16toward the proximal end72.

After the rear portion26of the fixture12has been sufficiently advanced along the bolts16,18to clear the catch bar20and allow the catch bar20to freely pivot about the pin82without interference by the periphery of the first bolt aperture30, the catch bar20is pivoted from the first orientation to a second orientation wherein the catch bar20extends at least partially radially outwardly from the support bolt16(FIG. 4C). For example, the catch bar20may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow A3. As shown, in the second orientation the catch bar20extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the support bolt16, so that the catch bar20extends radially outwardly from the support bolt16by virtue of the length of the catch bar20being greater than the height of the elongate slot80. In addition, in the second orientation the catch bar20may provide a physical barrier to prevent the rear portion26from passing thereover and thereby retain the fixture12on the support bolt16, by virtue of the length of the catch bar20being greater than the cross dimension of the first bolt aperture30. It will be appreciated that the periphery of the first bolt aperture30and/or other surfaces of the rear portion26may be unable to accidentally pivot the catch bar20from the second orientation to the first orientation from a proximal side thereof. For example, if the rear portion26were to unintentionally move toward the distal end74of the support bolt16, the catch bar20would abut the interior surface of the rear portion26and halt such movement. In this manner, the catch bar20may prevent the fixture12from slipping off of the support bolt16, and may thus relieve the installer of the need to manually support or steady the fixture12in place while simultaneously performing other tasks.

With the catch bar20in the second orientation and the fixture12securely supported on the post14via the support bolt16, the installer may freely use his or her hands to perform other intermediary tasks to complete a more permanent mounting of the fixture12to the post14. For example, the installer may advance fasteners, such as the first and second nuts100,102, over the support bolt16and/or second bolt18. In one embodiment, the second nut102may be advanced over the second bolt18prior to advancing the first nut100over the support bolt16, so that the catch bar20may remain in the second orientation at least until the second nut102is secured to the second bolt18to thereby retain the fixture12on the second bolt18. With the second nut102secured to the second bolt18, the catch bar20may be pivoted about the pin82from the second orientation to the first orientation without compromising the support of the fixture12on the post14. In the first orientation, the catch bar20may avoid interfering with the advancement of the first nut100over the support bolt16. The first and second nuts100,102may be tightened on the respective bolts16,18to provide a rigid and secure attachment of the fixture12to the post14(FIG. 4D).

Referring now toFIG. 5, an alternative exemplary support bolt116including a moveable catch bar120may be used in the lighting assembly10. As shown, the support bolt116includes a threaded rod having a generally cylindrical body130extending along an axis between a proximal end132(FIG. 6E) and a distal end134(FIG. 6A), and a helical threading136provided on the outer surface of the body130. An elongate slot140extends into the body130from the distal end134toward the proximal end132for receiving the moveable catch bar120. In the embodiment shown, the moveable catch bar120is resilient, or expandable and compressible. To that end, a pin142is inserted through aligned pin apertures144,146(FIG. 6A) in the outer surface of the body130adjacent the distal end134and in first and second arms150,152of the catch bar120to thereby pivotably couple the first and second arms150,152of the catch bar120to the body130such that the arms150,152may pivot about the pin142relative to each other. As shown, the first and second arms150,152each extend generally from the pin142toward the proximal end132of the support bolt116and terminate at respective tips154,156. Similar to the catch bar20described above, the catch bar120may have a thickness slightly less than the width of the elongate slot140such that the catch bar may120moveably fit therein.

In the embodiment shown, a biasing member such as a spring160is positioned between the first and second arms150,152to bias the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152away from each other to define an expanded state of the catch bar120(FIG. 6A). When in the expanded state, the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152may be separated by, or span, a distance greater than the height of the elongate slot140(e.g., the diameter of the body130) and/or greater than the cross dimension of the first bolt aperture30. Under a sufficient force to overcome the bias of the spring160, the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152may be moved toward each other to define a compressed state of the catch bar120. When in the compressed state, the tips154,156of the arms150,152may span a distance less than or approximately equal to the height of the elongate slot140and/or less than or approximately equal to the cross dimension of the first bolt aperture30. In the embodiment shown, an internal stop170is provided in the elongate slot140to limit the compression of the catch bar120(FIG. 6A). It will be appreciated that the catch bar120may be configured in a variety of different manners to provide resiliency from a compressed state to an expanded state without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment a resilient catch bar may be constructed of a shape memory material biasing the catch bar toward an expanded state (not shown).

With specific reference now toFIGS. 6A-6E, a method of mounting the fixture12to the post14with the support bolt116is described. Initially, the rear portion26of the fixture12may be advanced toward the front wall50of the post14, as indicated by the arrows A4, with the first and second bolt apertures30,32of the fixture12aligned with the support bolt116and second bolt18of the post14, respectively, and the catch bar120of the support bolt116in the expanded state (FIG. 6A). As the lock washer104and first bolt aperture30are advanced over the support bolt116, the catch bar120may be automatically compressed thereby without intervention by the installer. For example, as the fixture12is advanced toward the front wall50of the post14such that the support bolt116is received by the first bolt aperture30, as indicated by the arrows A5, the periphery of the first bolt aperture30contacts the first and second arms150,152of the catch bar120to compress the catch bar120, as indicated by the arrows A6(FIG. 6B). To that end, the force exerted by the periphery of the first bolt aperture30on the first and second arms150,152may be sufficient to cause the catch bar120to move toward the compressed state, so that the catch bar120is radially within the support bolt116by virtue of the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152spanning a distance less than or equal to the height of the elongate slot140. Due to the catch bar120being radially within the support bolt116, the catch bar120may avoid interfering with the advancement of the first bolt aperture30over the support bolt116toward the proximal end thereof.

After the rear portion26of the fixture12has been sufficiently advanced along the bolts116,18to clear the catch bar120, the catch bar120automatically expands from the compressed state to the expanded state, wherein the catch bar120extends at least partially radially outwardly from the support bolt116(FIG. 6C). For example, the first and second arms150,152may be biased outwardly by the spring160so as to pivot away from each other, as indicated by the arrows A7, upon removal of the force previously applied thereon by the periphery of the first bolt aperture30. In the expanded state, the catch bar120extends radially outwardly from the support bolt116by virtue of the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152spanning a distance greater than the height of the elongate slot140. In addition, in the expanded state the catch bar120may provide a physical barrier to prevent the rear portion26from passing thereover and thereby retain the fixture12on the support bolt116, by virtue of the tips154,156of the first and second arms150,152spanning a distance greater than the cross dimension of the first bolt aperture30. It will be appreciated that by orienting the first and second arms150,152to extend from the pin142generally toward the proximal end132of the support bolt116and biasing the arms150,152outwardly, the periphery of the first bolt aperture30may be unable to accidentally compress the catch bar120from the expanded state to the compressed state from a proximal side thereof. For example, if the rear portion26were to unintentionally move toward the distal end134of the support bolt116, the first and second tips154,156would abut the interior surface of the rear portion26and halt such movement. In this manner, the catch bar120may prevent the fixture12from slipping off of the support bolt116, and thus may relieve the installer of the need to manually support or steady the fixture12in place while simultaneously performing other tasks.

With the catch bar120in the expanded state and the fixture12securely supported on the post14via the support bolt116, the installer may freely use his or her hands to perform other intermediary tasks to complete a more permanent mounting of the fixture12to the post14. For example, the installer may advance fasteners, such as the first and second nuts100,102, over the support bolt116and/or second bolt18. In one embodiment, the first nut100may be advanced over the support bolt116prior to advancing the second nut102over the second bolt18. In this regard, the first nut100may automatically compress the catch bar120from the expanded state to the compressed state while being advanced thereover, in a manner similar to the lock washer104and/or first bolt aperture30. Thus, the first nut100may be secured to the support bolt116substantially simultaneously with the compression of the catch bar120, so that the catch bar120may remain in the expanded state at least until the first nut100is secured to the support bolt116to thereby continuously securely retain the fixture12on the support bolt116(FIG. 6D). The first and second nuts100,102may be tightened on the respective bolts116,18to provide a rigid and secure attachment of the fixture12to the post14(FIG. 6E).

While the illustrated hands-free support bolts16,116have been shown and described in the context of mounting a light fixture12to a post14, it will be appreciated that support bolts16,116in accordance with the present invention may be used for various other applications. For example, the support bolts16,116may be used for mounting any type of fixture to any type of support. In addition, while each exemplary support bolt16,116has been shown and described as being used in conjunction with a second (conventional) bolt18, it will be appreciated that the support bolts16,116may be used alone, with one or more additional support bolts16,116, or in any suitable combination.