Adjustable spreader bar

A spreader bar apparatus provides a bar member having a bar length and first and second bar end portions. A plurality of 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. One or more pins enable the trunnion sleeve to be attached to the bar at a selected bar opening.

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to spreader bars, and more particularly to spreader bars that can be adjusted thus enabling connection to and lifting of objects or loads of various sizes. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved spreader bar apparatus that includes a bar and lifting fittings that are movable along the bar and that can be locked or pinned at a selected locale with a special trunnion and link arrangement.

2. General Background of the Invention

Spreader bars are used to lift a heavy object (load or package) with a crane, wherein it is important to remove or reduce any horizontal load component on the object, load, or package. Some spreader bar designs have been patented. Examples of patented spreader bars can be seen in the following table, each listed patent being incorporated herein by reference.

The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference:

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adjustable spreader bar arrangement of improved construction and configuration. The apparatus includes an elongated bar to which a pair of link assemblies can be affixed. Each link assembly preferably includes a trunnion sleeve and upper and lower links, each link attached to the trunnion sleeve.

The upper and lower links are preferably attached (e.g., pivotally) to the trunnion sleeve, which moves (e.g., slides, rolls) back and forth along the bar. Once a link assembly hole is lined up with a hole or bore in the spreader bar, a pin can be inserted through the sleeve and the bar at the aligned openings/bores. The pins can be sitting in pin troughs for ease of pushing and pulling the pins into place.

The design of the present invention provides for easy length adjustability, even for large capacities while optimizing spreader bar stresses. This is accomplished by all vertical loads passing through the links so that preferably no vertical load goes through the spreader bar, and horizontal load transfers from the links to the pin going through the bar. Preferably, the bar thus only sees horizontal or compression loading.

The present invention thus provides an improved spreader bar apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus includes a bar member having a bar length, first and second bar end portions, and a plurality of stops spaced between the bar and end portions.

A first link assembly provides a first lifting portion. A second link assembly provides a second lifting portion. Each link assembly can be movable from one stop or location to another stop or location.

Multiple lifting lines can be attached to the link assemblies.

Each link assembly preferably includes an upper link, a lower link, and a trunnion sleeve, wherein the trunnion sleeve has a bore that is receptive of the bar, and wherein the upper and lower links are rotatably mounted to the trunnion sleeve.

In one embodiment, each link can be pivotal relative to the other link.

In one embodiment, a pinned connection enables a connection of each trunnion to a selected opening, location or stop.

In one embodiment, each said upper link has an opening that defines a lift line attachment.

In one embodiment, each said lower link has an opening that defines a lift line attachment.

In one embodiment, a pinned connection connects each trunnion sleeve to the bar at a selected opening or stop and connects to each said upper and lower links to the trunnion sleeve.

In one embodiment, the lower link has an opening that can be connectable to a lift line.

In one embodiment, a common pinned connection joins each lift line link member and a trunnion.

In one embodiment, the stops include spaced apart bar openings.

In one embodiment, the bar can be a hollow pipe or tube and the stops are pairs of aligned openings.

In one or more embodiments the present invention provides an improved spreader bar apparatus that provides a bar member having a bar length and first and second bar end portions and a plurality of transverse bar openings or transverse bores spaced between the bar and end portions.

A first bar lifting portion can be mounted on the bar and movable relative to the bar.

A second bar lifting portion can be mounted on the bar and movable relative to the bar.

Each bar lifting portion can be movable from one bar opening to another bar opening.

One or more lifting lines can be attachable to the lifting portions, such as to upper and lower links.

Each lifting member preferably 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 of the bar, and wherein the upper and lower links are rotatably mounted to the trunnion sleeve.

One or more pins can enable the trunnion sleeve and upper and lower links to be attached to the bar at a selected bar opening.

In one embodiment, each upper link can be pivotal relative to a lower link.

In one embodiment, the pin defines a pinned connection that joins each trunnion sleeve to a selected opening.

In one embodiment, the upper link has an opening that defines a lift line attachment.

In one embodiment, the lower link has an opening that defines a lift line attachment.

In one embodiment, the pinned connection connects each trunnion to the bar at a selected opening and the pin connects to each said upper and lower link.

In one embodiment, the lower link has an opening that can be connectable to a lift line.

In one embodiment, the pin defines a common pinned connection that joins a lift line link member and a trunnion.

In one embodiment, the bar can be a hollow pipe or tube and the openings include a pair of horizontally aligned openings that are each equidistant from a said bar end portion.

In one embodiment, the openings are pairs of aligned openings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral10. Adjustable spreader bar apparatus10includes an elongated bar11having bar ends or bar end portions12,13. The bar end portion12can provide a foot14. The bar end portion13can provide a foot15. Bar11can be a solid bar such as a steel bar or aluminum bar. Bar11can be a hollow pipe or hollow tube as seen inFIGS. 1 and 7. Bar11can be other shapes or have other cross sections such as square tubing, for example.

There can be transverse openings or bores16at spaced intervals along bar11and at stops or locations/positions59. Each of the openings or bores16preferably extends completely through bar11and at right angles to the bar central longitudinal axis60(seeFIG. 6). In this fashion, a pin19can be inserted completely through the bar11by inserting the pin19into the bar opening or bore16at a select location59. If bar11is a hollow pipe or hollow tube, the transverse openings16can be in aligned pairs of openings16, wherein preferably one opening16is spaced 180 degrees apart from the other opening16so that the pin19can be inserted through the pair of openings16for each location or stop59along bar11.

A pair of link assemblies17,18are each attachable to the bar11at a selected position or location59. The link assemblies include first link assembly17and second link assembly18. Rollers54(seeFIG. 7) can be provided to aid in travel of each link assembly17,18along bar11. A user can affix a selected link assembly17or18to the bar11at a selected location59by placing pin19through the openings or bores of a link assembly17or18when aligned with an opening or bore (or openings)16of the bar11.

Each link assembly17,18preferably includes a trunnion sleeve20as seen inFIGS. 1-3. The trunnion sleeve20as shown in the figure has a first open ended bore21and second open ended bore22. The trunnion sleeve20includes a larger diameter sleeve23to which are attached (for example, welded) smaller diameter sleeves24,25. Each smaller sleeve24,25has a bore22.

The link assemblies17,18each include an upper link26and a lower link36. Upper link26(FIG. 4) includes a pair of smaller upper plates,27,28and a pair of larger lower plates31,32. Smaller upper plate27has plate opening29. Smaller upper plate28has plate opening30. Larger lower plate31has plate opening33. Larger lower plate32has plate opening34. Each of the smaller upper plates27,28and larger lower plates31,32are connected using a connecting portion35that can include multiple structural beams and/or plates welded together. The connection of the smaller upper plates27,28and larger lower plates31,32to connecting portion35can be a welded connection.

Lower link36(FIG. 5) has a similar construction to upper link26. The lower link36has larger upper plates37,38and smaller lower plates41,42. Larger upper plate37has plate opening39. Larger upper plate38has plate opening40. Smaller lower plate41has plate opening43. Smaller lower plate42has plate opening44. Connecting portion45joins the larger upper plates37,38and the smaller lower plates41,42of the lower link36. Connecting portion45can include multiple structural beams and/or plates welded together. Each link assembly17,18thus preferably comprises a trunnion sleeve20as seen inFIG. 3, an upper link26as seen inFIG. 4and a lower link36as seen inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6illustrates attachment of lifting lines and slings or grommets to bar apparatus10. Lifting line46can attach to upper link26of link assembly17. Similarly, a lifting line47can attach to upper link26of link assembly18. The lifting lines46,47can be attached to the lifting fitting (e.g., hook) of a lifting machine such as a crane. Slings or grommets can be attached to the lower links36of link assemblies17,18. InFIG. 6, sling48attaches to lower link36of link assembly17. A grommet or sling49and a fitting (e.g., a shackle)50attached to the grommet49can then attach to lower link36of link assembly18(seeFIG. 6). Pins, fittings or shackles or other rigging can be used to interface each lifting line46,47with a link assembly17,18. Pins, fittings or shackles or other rigging can be used to interface each sling48or grommet49to a link assembly17,18.

FIG. 7shows an alternate link assembly51having a trunnion sleeve53fitted with carriage52having rollers54which reduce friction when sliding the link assembly51from one pair of bore openings or holes16to the next pair of bore openings or holes16during adjustment. Upper link55and lower link56are pivotally attached to trunnion sleeve53. As shown inFIG. 7each upper and lower link55,56is preferably fitted with a shackle57or58.

FIGS. 8-12show another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral61. IfFIGS. 8-12, adjustable spreader bar apparatus61provides link assemblies62,63. Each link assembly62,63includes upper and lower links64,65. Upper link64(seeFIGS. 9-11) has an opening66that is connectable to a lifting line67and crane81. Lower link65provides an eyelet or padeye68having opening69. Opening69enables a connection to a sling or other lifting line or cable or rigging (e.g., a shackle). Upper link64has plates71,72that can include lower rounded portions having openings79that are receptive of a pin19. Lower link65has plates73,74,75,76. Each plate73,74,75,76has an opening80. Notice inFIGS. 9 and 10that the plate71of upper link64is positioned in between plates73,74of lower link65. Similarly, plate72of upper link64is in between plates75,76of lower link65. Plates71,72are connected to body77of upper link64. Similarly, plates73,74,75,76are attached to body78of lower link65. A pin19fits through plates71,72, and73,74,75,76at openings79,80as seen inFIGS. 8-12.