Patent Publication Number: US-8113734-B2

Title: Fixed eyebolt assembly and inventory thereof

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of prior application Ser. No. 10/392,431, Filed Mar. 19, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,519. 
     The benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/365,860, filed Mar. 19, 2002, is claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates in general to eyebolts and, in particular, to fixed eyebolt assemblies, and to eyebolt inventory control methods. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Eyebolts of various configurations have been proposed for various purposes. See, for example, Ake U.S. Des. 275,868; Bethea U.S. Des. 286,979; Palmer U.S. Des. 309,251; Schriever U.S. Des. 360,353; Kraine U.S. Des. 415,951; and Bohli U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,873, which all relate generally to fixed eyebolts with integral washers and separately provided fasteners that mount generally centrally of the eyebolt structure. Mueller U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,033; Motz U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,941; Seidel U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,410; and Pearl U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,883, all relate generally to mounting studs that are threadabiy received in both a substrate and the mounting member. Jacobs U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,125; Burke U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,765; Freeman U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,861; Conway U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,245; Hanaway U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,416; Kwon U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,910; and Cooper U.S. Des. 172,741, all relate generally to eyebolts wherein a mounting stud is integral with and extends generally centrally from the eye of the eyebolt. Harold et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,646; Mason U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,314; McWhirter U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,785; Bongiovanni et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,193; and Smetz U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,457, all relate generally to eyebolt structures in which separate bolts are employed to secure the eyebolt structures to various substrates. Pearl U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,884, from the swivel hoist ring art, discloses a swivel hoist ring in which a double threaded mounting stud and a skirt with radially projecting arms is proposed. The faces of the radially projecting arms are said to be adapted to being struck with a hammer to tighten the mounting stud. Tsui et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,965, from the tool bushing art, discloses a method of controlling an inventory of tooling bushings by stocking a variety of headless press fit bushings of various lengths, and a few standard bushing heads which can be assembled to the headless bushings as needed. 
     Fixed eyebolts that are intended to carry substantial loads, either in a lifting or tie-down configuration, frequently require removal and reinstallation in the same or different locations. Typically, special tools to accomplish such removal and reinstallation are not available or are not used. The ability to reliably install or remove an eyebolt manually with only a hammer would be advantageous. In general, fixed eyebolts are not configured to accommodate this situation. Inadequate tightening of an eyebolt to a substrate may result in a safety hazard. 
     Repeated or improper removal and reinstallation often damages the threads or other mounting elements by which fixed eyebolts are secured to substrates. Damaged eyebolts must be refurbished or replaced. Refurbishment generally requires that the mounting stud or other mounting components be replaced. Thus, the eyebolt body should preferably be separable from the mounting component. 
     Fixed eyebolts find application in a variety of different applications such as, for example, load tie-downs, load lifting, material handling, and the like. In the construction industry, fixed eyebolts are frequently secured to concrete substrates through, for example, conventional wire thread connections (see, for example the wire thread disclosed in Tsui U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,991). In heavy manufacturing industries, fixed eyebolts are frequently secured to substrates through, for example, machine or square threads. In some industries, various different threads are traditionally used for securing eyebolts to substrates. The eyebolt body is typically the same for a given load capacity, but several different thread styles or even stud diameters must be available to satisfy the requirements of various applications. If the mounting components are made integral with the body of the eyebolt, a different eyebolt is required for each different thread style. 
     When an eyebolt with an integral mounting component becomes damaged, the entire eyebolt is often discarded. The body of a typical eyebolt is the most expensive part of the assembly, and comprises the majority of the high grade alloy that is used in the device. High strength alloys are sometimes in short supply. The equipment that is required to process high strength alloys requires a considerable capital investment, and operational costs are significant. Minimizing the number of eyebolt bodies that must be made and stocked would significantly reduce the cost of maintaining an inventory of eyebolts. If only one eyebolt body could be stocked for each rated load, regardless of the requirements for multiple different mounting components, the costs and difficulty of maintaining an eyebolt inventory could be significantly reduced. If a particular thread style or stud diameter falls out of favor and is no longer used, all of the fixed eyebolts with these dimensions in which the mounting stud is integral with the eyebolt body must be discarded. Mounting studs can be produced quickly and relatively inexpensively, so it would not be necessary to stock a large number of such studs of any given thread style if the studs were to be made separate from the eyebolt body. The studs can be produced as the demand appears. Inventory costs could be reduced if large numbers of integral eyebolt body-mounting studs with different thread styles did not have to be produced and inventoried to meet anticipated demand. 
     An eyebolt, even though of a fixed design, should be capable of supporting a rated load applied from any direction. Otherwise, the installer of the eyebolt must be aware of and follow installation instructions as to the necessary orientation of the eyebolt relative to the anticipated load. Even if the installation instructions are known, and they are followed, unexpected shifts in the direction of the applied load may create a safety hazard. The necessity to orient the eye in a particular direction to accommodate a load may result in less than optimum tightening of the eyebolt, thus creating a safety hazard. 
     These and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcome according to the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of an eyebolt assembly and associated inventory method according to the present invention comprises providing a plurality of fixed eyebolt bodies, all with the same nominal dimensions, for each rated load, and a plurality of different eyebolt mounting components. The eyebolt mounting components are all configured with substantially the same eyebolt body engaging elements, but individual ones of the eyebolt mounting components are configured differently to engage with different types of elements in various substrates. All of the eyebolt mounting components will mate with all of the eyebolt bodies. Where the engagement between the eyebolt bodies and the mounting components is, for example, by way of threads, all of the mounting components have substantially identical threaded portions that are adapted to mate with the threads in the eyebolt bodies. Different ones of the mounting components have other threaded portions that mate with those threads and diameters that are to be found associated with the respective substrates with which the mounting components are intended to mate. Thus, any eyebolt body may be selected at random and assembled with any mounting component. The other threaded portion of the mounting component can be selected depending upon the requirements of its intended use. The eyebolt bodies, for a given load rating, all have substantially the same nominal dimensions, including the member that engages the mounting component. It is only the mounting components that change depending upon the intended application. Preferably, the eyebolt bodies are releasably assembled to the mounting components so that the mounting components may be replaced as they become damaged or different mounting elements are required to mate with a particular substrate mounting element. 
     The eyebolt bodies are configured so that they will support the rated load without regard to its direction of application. To this end, the lifting loop is generally symmetrical about a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the eyebolt assembly and bisects the lifting loop either normal to or in the plane of the loop. A skirt projects generally normal to the longitudinal axis and is adapted to bear against the surface of a substrate to which the eyebolt assembly is mounted. Also, reinforcing members that are integral with the skirt extend generally radially of the skirt on the normally upper surface of the skirt to support it against the surface of a substrate. Preferably, the reinforcing ribs extend to or at least adjacent to the periphery of the skirt. The lifting loop is preferably integral with one pair of ribs for substantially the full diametric length of the skirt. The ribs are preferably radially arrayed around the normally upper side of the skirt so as to strengthen the skirt from a load applied in any direction. 
     The reinforcing ribs are preferably configured so that they provide striking faces to receive hammer blows from a manually controlled hammer. The striking faces extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the eyebolt assembly, and are of sufficient extent that they can be reliably accessed by a manually controlled hammer. Any striking face that extends generally axially for less than approximately one-quarter of an inch from the normally upper surface of the skirt is generally not reliably accessible. For purposes of leverage, the striking faces should be as close to the periphery as possible, but not extend radially beyond the periphery of the skirt. 
     The eyebolt body is preferably releasably secured to the mounting component, for example, by way of a pin received in a cross-bore that extends through the ribs and mounting component, adhesive, or the like. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum of fixed eyebolt assemblies. While the description which follows hereinafter is meant to be representative of a number of such applications, it is not exhaustive. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the basic methods and apparatus taught herein can be readily adapted to many uses. It is applicant&#39;s intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustration only and not limitation: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fixed eyebolt and mounting stud in accordance with the present invention, the perspective view from the opposed side being an identical mirror image view. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof, the opposed front elevational view being an identical mirror image view. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view thereof, the opposed side elevational view being an identical mirror image view. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  without the mounting stud. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded front elevational view of a dual threaded mounting stud and associated retainer pin. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment wherein the substantially flat bearing surface includes an annular boss. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 8  wherein the step in the bearing surface that defines the annular boss, and the location of the mounting stud are shown in phantom. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is illustrated generally at  10  a fixed eyebolt assembly composed of an eyebolt body and a mounting stud  12 . Preferably, mounting stud  12  is separable from the eyebolt body. To this end, if desired, a retainer pin  14  may be provided for retaining insertion in cross-bore  16 . Cross-bore  16 , when provided, extends through both a mounting component, for example, mounting stud  12 , and at least one of the reinforcing elements, for example, the junction of rib members  18  and  20 , so that the insertion of retainer pin  14  locks the mounting stud  12  and the eyebolt body together. The combination of a cross-bore and retainer pin can be replaced, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, with other securing elements. For example, the end of the mounting stud  12  can be extended up entirely through the intersection of the reinforcing elements so that its proximal end is exposed. The thusly exposed proximal end can be secured with a lock nut, a castle or like nut and pin, a releasable clamp, or the like known securing elements. The safe and secure assembly of the eyebolt body to the mounting stud is thus assured. The securing element retains the eyebolt body and mounting stud in the desired assembled configuration during use, while permitting their disassembly when desired for repair, maintenance, or reconfiguration. 
     The eyebolt body has a longitudinal axis  32  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  8 ) and includes a lifting loop  25 , and a base member indicated generally at  26 , for example, a skirt member. Base member  26  extends generally radially and normal of axis  32 , and has, for example, a generally circular plan form bounded by an outer periphery  28 . Base member  26  includes a first side, which presents a generally flat bearing surface  30 . The generally flat bearing surface  30  may or may not include a generally annular recess  34  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) that steps up to an annular boss adjacent to outer periphery  28 . Bearing surface  30  is adapted to bear against the surface of a substrate (not shown) to which the fixed eyebolt assembly  10  is mounted. Base member  26  includes a second face  36  generally opposed to first face  30 . Base member  26  generally extends generally laterally of axis  32 , and exhibits a thickness between the first and second faces thereof. 
     A threaded bore  38  ( FIG. 8 ) is located generally in the central region of the base member  26 , preferably generally concentric with longitudinal axis  32 . Threaded bore  38  is accessible from first side  30  and extends at least into the thickness of base member  26  towards second side  36 . Preferably, threaded bore  38  extends from first side  30  into the eyebolt body for a distance at least equal to about one and one-half times the diameter of stud  12 . Preferably, threaded bore  38  is a blind hole, and its depth is controlled so that when the stud  12  is fully seated in threaded bore  38 , cross-bore  16  aligns with the mating bores in stud  12  and the eyebolt body. This assists in aligning the mating bores to form cross-bore  16 . 
     Reinforcing elements are provided integral with second side  36 . Reinforcing elements take the form, for example, of generally radially extending bars or reinforcing ribs. For example, reinforcing ribs  20  and  24  together extend diametrically across second side  36  to a location adjacent to but not radially beyond outer periphery  28 . Reinforcing ribs  18  and  22  together extend similarly diametrically across second side  36 , and generally intersect with ribs  20  and  24  in the central region of the base member  26  to define a generally cruciform or plus shaped configuration. Each of the reinforcing ribs  18  and  22  presents at least one striking face generally adjacent to outer periphery  28 . The striking face on reinforcing rib  18  is indicated at  40 , and the striking face for reinforcing rib  22  is indicated at  42 . The reinforcing ribs are configured so that the surfaces that are generally opposed to striking faces  40  and  42  are likewise available as striking surfaces. The respective striking faces are accessible to be struck by a manually wielded hammer for tightening or loosening the threaded mounting stud  12 . Providing striking faces on reinforcing ribs  18 - 22  protects lifting loop  25  from potential damage from tightening or loosening hammer blows. 
     Lifting loop  25  is integral with base member  26  through reinforcing ribs  20  and  24 . Lifting loop  25  is generally symmetrical about a plane that includes axis  32  and extends generally normal to either reinforcing ribs  18 - 22  or  20 - 24 . 
     Mounting stud  12  is adapted to being threadably received in threaded bore  38 . The thread form  48  on the proximal end of mounting stud  12  is adapted to mate with that of threaded bore  38 . The thread form  50  on the distal end of mounting stud  12  is adapted to threadably engage with what ever thread may be found in a desired application. The diameters of the proximal and distal ends can be the same or different as may be desired for a particular application. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates in phantom lines the disk  52  of material that has been removed from the central region of the generally flat second side  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  to form the embodiment of the flat second side  30  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The central location of a suitable mounting stud is illustrated in phantom at  54  in  FIG. 9 . 
     Eyebolt assemblies according to the present invention lend themselves to use in a method of inventory control. According to this method of inventory control, a plurality of eyebolt bodies are provided. All of the eyebolt bodies have about the same nominal dimensions and include a base member with generally opposed bearing and lifting sides, a lifting loop integral with the base member, and a mounting element engaging member. The mounting element engaging member, for example, a threaded bore, is adapted to engagingly receive an eyebolt mounting component that projects generally axially from the base member and is opposed to the lifting loop. Several different eyebolt mounting components are provided. Each of said eyebolt mounting components has at least two mounting elements. A first of each of the mounting elements is adapted to engage with a mounting element engaging member associated with the eyebolt bodies. The first mounting elements are common to all of the eyebolt mounting components. Each of the eyebolt mounting components has at least a second mounting element. The second mounting element is adapted to engage a load. The variety of eyebolt mounting components in the inventory includes at least those with a first style of second mounting elements, and those with a second style of second mounting elements. 
     According to the present invention, the operator of the inventory method accepts a plurality of orders for different eyebolt assemblies. In response to a first of such orders, the operator selects any eyebolt body from the inventory, and selects an eyebolt mounting component that has a first style of second mounting element. Since the first mounting element on every eyebolt mounting component in the inventory will mate with every eyebolt body, there is no need to specially select for this combination. In response to a second of the plurality orders, the operator selects any eyebolt body from the inventory and an eyebolt mounting component that has a second style of second mounting element. An eyebolt body is assembled to each of the selected eyebolt mounting components responsive to the first and second orders. Preferably, the elements are releasably assembled together. 
     The eyebolt inventory control method according to the present invention lends itself to refurbishing pre-existing eyebolt assemblies. Existing eyebolts with permanently fixed mounting components, for example, threaded studs integral with the eyebolt body, can be removed and the eyebolt body drilled and tapped to accept a standard eyebolt mounting component. Also, where the elements have been previously releasably assembled together, they can be disassembled and new components combined to refurbish damaged assemblies, or to meet new mounting requirements. 
     What have been described are preferred embodiments in which modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. Clearly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.