Patent Description:
A strut may be utilized to brace an unstable structure. For example, one or more struts may be positioned to brace an unstable structure of a vehicle following an accident. In another example, one or more struts may be positioned to reinforce damaged structures within a ship, such as bulkheads, sections of a hull, or hatches. In yet another example, one or more struts may be positioned to bear part, or all, of a weight of a wall, a ceiling, or a roof of an unstable structure. Accordingly, a strut may be utilized by emergency services, or other users, in time-sensitive situations and/or situations in which the types of on-hand materials are limited, and in which there is a possibility of/ there has been structural failure of load-bearing elements.

The environments in which such struts are used are inherently dangerous. It would be beneficial if the structural condition of the unstable structure could be continuously monitored, optionally from a remote location.

<CIT> describes a safe supporting system suitable for fabricated building and bridge construction. The safe supporting system comprises a lower supporting pipe, an upper supporting pipe and an adjusting supporting pipe; a first through groove penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower end of the main support. <CIT> describes a strut which includes a first post section and a second post section. The first post section includes a first portion that is coaxial with, annular to and slidably disposed within a second portion of the second post section. A damping actuator is interposed between the first post section and the second post section, and is arranged to dynamically control a position of the first post section in relation to the second post section. <CIT> describes a system for adjustable construction or demolition temporary supports. The adjustable construction or demolition temporary support includes a plurality of sensor devices for measuring load on the support and signal detection and communication device that being in communication with the sensor devices. The communication device further comprises a display unit and/or audio output unit for providing visual and/or audible alarm for alarming conditions. <CIT> describes a shaft adapter configured to be removably-coupled to shafts of differing diameters. The shaft adapter may have a stepped cylinder cavity with multiple inner diameters. The shaft adapter may further have a spring-loaded adapter ring configured to translate along an inner wall of the stepped cylinder cavity, and may be configured to support an outer wall of a first shaft received into the shaft adapter, or may be configured to be urged into a compressed position when the shaft adapter receives a second shaft.

Accordingly, a need exists for an electronic monitor configured to monitor the structural conditions of a structure or a strut that is part of a bracing system.

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:.

Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different elements of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It is to be further understood that any of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure may be constructed from one or more material types, including metals, alloys, fiber-reinforced materials, ceramics, polymers, or combinations thereof.

<FIG> depicts an electronic monitor device <NUM>. The electronic monitor device <NUM> may be referred to as an electronic monitor <NUM>, an electronic strut monitor <NUM> or an in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>. The electronic monitor <NUM> is configured to be removably coupled to a temporary support strut, according to one or more aspects described herein. The electronic monitor <NUM> may also be configured to be operable when coupled to other structural elements/ structure types. For example, the electronic monitor may be coupled to a clamp that is, in turn, coupled to a structure, such as an unstable structure.

The in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> may otherwise be referred to as monitor <NUM> throughout this disclosure, and includes a housing <NUM>. This housing <NUM> may be configured to be positioned within a structural support system, and as such, may have structural geometries and materials configured to withstand external forces exerted upon the housing <NUM> from one or more structural members to which the monitor <NUM> is removably coupled. In the depicted example of <FIG> the housing <NUM> has a first end <NUM> spaced apart from a second end <NUM> along an axial length that is schematically depicted as axial length <NUM>/axial direction <NUM>. The first end <NUM> has a first bore <NUM> that extends at least partially into the housing <NUM> and is configured to receive a first end of an external temporary support strut (not depicted in <FIG>). In the depicted implementation of <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has one or more cylindrical geometries configured to the attached to external cylindrical temporary support strut elements. As such, the schematic axial length <NUM> may extend through a center of these cylindrical structures. However, the various disclosures described herein related to an in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> may utilize a housing with alternative geometries. These alternative geometries are configured to removably couple the housing <NUM> to temporary support strut elements with non-cylindrical geometries, such as other prisms, cuboids, among others. It is contemplated that the housing <NUM> may be constructed from one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In one example, the load-bearing components of the housing <NUM> may be constructed from an aluminum alloy.

The monitor <NUM> additionally includes a first coupling mechanism <NUM> at the first end <NUM>. In one example, the first coupling mechanism <NUM> may comprise a spring-loaded catch <NUM> (depicted in <FIG>) that extends into the bore <NUM> and is configured to interact with a circumferential channel extending around a portion of a first end of an external temporary support strut that is received into the bore <NUM>. The spring-loaded catch <NUM> that extends into the bore <NUM> may be implemented with a geometry such that when a first end of a temporary support strut is received into the bore <NUM>, the spring-loaded catch <NUM> is urged back into a side wall of the housing <NUM> without requiring the pull button <NUM> on an external sidewall <NUM> of the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to be manually actuated. In other examples, the pull button <NUM> may be manually actuated in order to receive an external support strut into the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. In one example, in order to actuate the first coupling mechanism <NUM>, the pull button <NUM> is manually pulled away from the side wall <NUM>, which retracts the spring-loaded catch <NUM> within the bore <NUM> back into the side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The coupling mechanism <NUM> may be implemented such that an internal spring urges the catch <NUM> out of the side wall <NUM> and into the bore <NUM> when a manual force is not applied to pull the pull button <NUM> away from the side wall <NUM>.

The second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> includes a second coupling mechanism <NUM>. The second coupling mechanism <NUM> may include geometrical features configured to be received into a coupling mechanism similar to that of the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. As such, the monitor <NUM> may be compatible with/removably coupled with similar structures to those that the temporary support strut is configured to be compatible with. Accordingly, the geometries of the second coupling mechanism <NUM> may be similar to the geometries of a first end of a temporary support strut (not depicted) that is configured to be received into the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. Specifically, the second coupling mechanism <NUM> may have a cylindrical structure <NUM>/cylindrical shaft <NUM> with a diameter configured to be received into a bore with a bore geometry similar to that of bore <NUM>. The second coupling mechanism <NUM> additionally includes a circumferential channel <NUM> that extends around a circumference of the cylindrical shaft <NUM>. This circumferential channel <NUM> may be configured to interact with a catch structure of a coupling mechanism, similar to the catch <NUM> attached to the pull button <NUM> of the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. Accordingly, the catch structure is configured to be received into the channel <NUM>, and thereby prevent the cylindrical shaft <NUM> from translating along the axial direction <NUM>. The second coupling mechanism <NUM> additionally includes a chamfered/filleted surface <NUM> configured to guide the cylindrical shaft <NUM> into a receiving bore similar to bore <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may have a cylindrical outer sidewall <NUM> adjacent to the first end <NUM> and cylindrical outer sidewall <NUM> adjacent to the second end <NUM>. In addition, the housing <NUM> may include a substantially cuboidal structure <NUM> spaced between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. This substantially cuboidal structure <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may include planar outer sidewalls. A first sidewall <NUM> may include a third coupling mechanism <NUM> (depicted in greater detail in <FIG>).

The geometries of the strut elements that are configured to be received into the first coupling mechanism <NUM> and to which the second coupling mechanism <NUM> is configured to attach are described in further detail in <CIT>.

The housing <NUM> additionally includes a monitoring device <NUM>. Monitoring device <NUM> may include external elements visible on the exterior of the monitor <NUM>, and internal elements within the housing <NUM>. The monitoring device <NUM> includes a load cell configured to measure a force exerted on the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. This force may be exerted by an external structure on the coupling mechanism <NUM>. In one example, the external force may be exerted by a removably coupled temporary support strut, a first end of which is securely and removably coupled within the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. In one example, the load cell of the monitoring device <NUM> is configured to measure at least a portion of a compressive load (force) exerted on the housing <NUM> and/or on the first coupling <NUM>. As such, a total force exerted on the monitor <NUM> may be extrapolated based upon knowledge of the geometry of the load cell relative to the first coupling mechanism <NUM> as a whole. In another example, the load cell of the monitoring device <NUM> may be subjected to a full load/force exerted by an external structure upon the housing <NUM> of the monitor <NUM>. The load cell of the monitoring device <NUM> may utilize any load cell configuration and/or materials without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Further, the load cell of the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured to measure a compressive force and/or a tensile force exerted on the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>. In another example, the load cell of the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured to measure a torsional force exerted on the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>.

The monitoring device <NUM> may additionally include an inclination sensor configured to monitor an angle of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>. As such, the inclination sensor may be configured to measure an angle of the axial direction <NUM> relative to level ground or an axis normal to level ground (corresponding to a direction of a force of gravity). The inclination sensor may thereby be configured to monitor a tilt angle of a structural member, such as a temporary support strut to which the monitor <NUM> is removably coupled. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that monitoring of a tilt angle of a temporary support strut may be useful in providing an early indication/warning of a possible collapse of a temporary support structure. Additionally, the monitoring device <NUM> may include a vibration sensor configured to detect a magnitude and/or frequency/energy content of vibrations to which the housing <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> is subjected. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that monitoring of vibration may be used to detect an early indication/warning of a possible collapse of a temporary support structure. This vibration monitoring may be used to detect ongoing seismic activity, such as aftershocks, in an area that has experienced an earthquake. The inclination sensor and/or vibration sensor may be implemented using a multi-axis inertial chip positioned within the monitoring device <NUM>. This inertial chip may include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope sensor. It is contemplated that any inertial chip technologies may be utilized, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. These technologies may include piezoelectric elements, among others.

The housing <NUM> additionally includes a second sidewall <NUM> that is opposite to a third sidewall <NUM>. A fourth sidewall <NUM> is opposite the first sidewall <NUM>. Monitoring device <NUM> may include a monitoring device housing <NUM> that is rigidly coupled to the fourth sidewall <NUM>. This monitoring device housing <NUM> may be constructed of any durable material, such as one or more polymers, with said materials configured to withstand incidental contact as the monitor <NUM> is used within various rescue situations. It is contemplated that the housing <NUM> may have any geometrical shape. In one example, the housing <NUM> includes an electronic interface that may include a graphical interface/screen/ electronic display <NUM>, and/or input knobs/buttons/joysticks <NUM>, otherwise referred to as inputs <NUM>. The screen <NUM> may be a touchscreen or may be interacted with through the inputs <NUM>. In one example, the inputs <NUM> may be configured to activate, deactivate, and/or adjust various settings of the monitoring device <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may additionally include a visual beacon <NUM>. This visual beacon <NUM> may include multiple high-intensity lights, which may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). This visual beacon <NUM> may be positioned on both the second side wall <NUM> and the third sidewall <NUM>. Further, the visual beacon <NUM> may be actuated based upon a sensor reading from one or more of the sensors of the monitoring device <NUM>. In addition, the monitoring device <NUM> may include an audible beacon/siren/alarm that may be configured to output an audible indication that the monitoring device <NUM> has detected a sensor reading above a predetermined threshold. This predetermined threshold may be associated with a safety threshold of load, angle, or vibration to which the housing <NUM> is subjected. Collectively, the visual beacon <NUM> and the audible beacon may be referred to as alert indicators, and may utilize any pattern of lighting and/or sound to alert users within the vicinity of the monitor <NUM> of a load, a tilt angle, and/or a vibration energy that is above one or more threshold values, or has changed by a threshold amount from set point values set when the monitoring device <NUM> was installed within a temporary support structure, among others. Additionally, the alert indicators may be configured to indicate that the monitor <NUM> is running low on battery power, or that the monitor <NUM> has not been correctly installed within a support structure.

In one example, the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured to communicate sensor readings and/or receive setting information from a remote device. Accordingly, the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured with one or more transceivers configured to facilitate wireless communication between the monitoring device <NUM> and one or more remote devices, which may include mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, and the like. It is contemplated that the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured with the software, firmware, and/or hardware configured to communicate wirelessly using one or more communication protocols, including any Bluetooth®, and/or any Wi-Fi protocol, among others. The monitoring device <NUM> may utilize antennae <NUM> and <NUM> to facilitate wireless communication. In another example, the monitoring device <NUM> may utilize a single antenna of the antennae <NUM> and <NUM>, and/or an internal antenna/ antennae to facilitate wireless communication to one or more remote devices. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured with software, firmware, and/or hardware to facilitate wired communication between the monitoring device and one or more remote devices. This wired communication may utilize any wired transmission protocol. It is further contemplated that the monitoring device <NUM> may include a power supply in the form of one or more batteries configured to provide electrical energy to the multiple components of the monitoring device <NUM> for a prolonged period of time (e.g. one or more weeks) without requiring the monitoring device <NUM> to be connected to a wired power source. In one example, the monitoring device <NUM> may include a port configured to receive a wired power source for recharging of the onboard energy storage batteries of the monitoring device <NUM>. The batteries of the monitoring device <NUM> may, alternatively, be disposable and user-replaceable, and may use any number and/or type of batteries.

The monitor <NUM> additionally includes a first handle structure <NUM> rigidly coupled to the second side wall <NUM>, and a second handle structure <NUM> rigidly coupled to the third sidewall <NUM>. In one example, the first handle structure <NUM> may be similar to the second handle structure <NUM>. The first handle structure <NUM> includes a closed-loop structure configured to prevent the electronic display <NUM> and/or the monitoring device housing <NUM> from being accidentally impacted by an external surface. In one example, the first handle structure <NUM>, when rigidly coupled to the second sidewall <NUM>, forms a first sub-handle <NUM> that extends outward from both the first sidewall <NUM> and the second sidewall <NUM>. The first handle structure <NUM> may additionally form a second sub-handle <NUM> that extends from both the second sidewall <NUM> and the fourth sidewall <NUM>. The first handle structure <NUM> and the second handle structure <NUM> may be formed, partially or wholly, from a molded urethane. In another example, the first handle structure <NUM> and the second handle structure <NUM> may be formed, partially or wholly, from a rigid metallic and/or polymeric core that is overmolded with a rubberized material. The external surface of the first handle structure <NUM> and the second handle structure <NUM> may be configured to add additional grip for manual positioning of the monitor <NUM> and/or prevent sparking if the monitor <NUM> is accidentally knocked against an external surface.

<FIG> depicts the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> installed in one example of a temporary structural support configuration <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. <FIG> depicts a closer view of the in-line connection of the monitor <NUM> between a temporary support strut <NUM>/ adjustable strut <NUM> and a base plate <NUM>. In the depicted configuration of <FIG>, the adjustable strut <NUM> is one of three similar struts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, struts <NUM> and <NUM> have been adjusted to a height that is different to strut <NUM> in order to accommodate the height of the monitor <NUM>. In the depicted configuration <NUM>, the struts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are configured to be compressed between base plates <NUM> and <NUM> and clamp <NUM> is configured to maintain a spacing between struts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Each of the struts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> will be subjected to one third of a total compressive force between plates <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, because the monitor <NUM> is placed in-line between the strut <NUM> and the base plate <NUM>, the monitor <NUM> will be subjected to all of the same compressive force to which the strut <NUM> is subjected. In this example configuration <NUM>, a total compressive load between the base plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be calculated by multiplying by three the compressive load calculated by the monitor <NUM>. It is contemplated that the monitor <NUM> may be utilized to detect sudden changes in a load, and the total stress between plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be of less importance to a user. Additionally, the monitor <NUM> may be configured to detect an angle of inclination of the strut <NUM>, which may alert a user if the strut <NUM> appears to be leaning outside of a vertical plane. This specific scenario may represent a potential risk of collapse of a structure that is being supported by the struts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Similarly, the monitor <NUM> may be configured to monitor vibration within the support configuration <NUM>, which may provide a user with an early indication of a potential failure/collapse event.

<FIG> depicts the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> installed in another example of a temporary structural support configuration <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, the monitor <NUM> is configured to be positioned between a support strut <NUM> and base plate <NUM>. The configuration <NUM> includes multiple different strut elements beyond that strut <NUM>, which may be configured to provide a shoring of a vertical structure. The monitor <NUM> may be configured to detect a compressive force to which the strut <NUM> is subjected. A user may extrapolate this detected force information to determine stresses at different points within the configuration <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a user may monitor a compressive force along the strut <NUM> in isolation and/or may utilize the monitor <NUM> to detect a change in force experienced by the strut <NUM>. This change in force may be indicative of a shift in a load that is being supported by the temporary structural support configuration <NUM>, and may be indicative of a potential collapse of the supported structure. Additionally, the monitor <NUM> may be configured to monitor an angle of inclination of the strut <NUM> and/or vibration experienced by the strut <NUM>/the support configuration <NUM> as a whole. Both the angle and vibration measurements may be utilized to provide a warning of a change in structure being supported by the configuration <NUM>.

It is contemplated that the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> may be configured to be removably coupled to a variety of structural members intended to form configurations to provide temporary structural support to one or more unstable structures. These formed configurations may utilize multiple different adjustable strut elements, with one of these strut elements being received into the monitor <NUM>. Additionally, the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM> may be coupled to an external structure using the third coupling mechanism <NUM>, and/or may not be coupled to a strut. <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> removably coupled to a base plate <NUM>. This baseplate <NUM> may be configured to position the monitor <NUM> against a surface that is normal to an axial length of a strut that is received into the first coupling mechanism <NUM>. The baseplate <NUM> may include a coupling mechanism <NUM> that is similar to the first coupling mechanism <NUM>, and configured to receive the second coupling mechanism <NUM> of the monitor <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> removably coupled to a clamp structure <NUM>. Specifically, the clamp structure <NUM> may be removably coupled to the third coupling mechanism of the monitor <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> removably coupled to a side plate structure <NUM>. Specifically, the side plate structure <NUM> may be removably coupled to the third coupling mechanism of the monitor <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> removably coupled to a suction clamp structure <NUM>. Specifically, the suction clamp structure <NUM> may be removably coupled to the third coupling mechanism of the monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts another isometric view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. Specifically, <FIG> depicts a backside view of the monitor <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> coupled to the clamp structure <NUM> of <FIG>. The clamp structure <NUM> is removably coupled to the monitor <NUM> in an alternative orientation in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts an isometric view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. Specifically, <FIG> depicts a more detailed view of the third coupling mechanism <NUM>. In one example, the third coupling mechanism <NUM> includes an upper rail <NUM> and a lower rail <NUM>. An attachment plate <NUM> may be removably coupled to the housing <NUM> of the monitor <NUM>. In one example, the attachment plate <NUM> may include an attachment rail <NUM> with corresponding geometry to the lower rail <NUM>, and configured to catch on the lower rail <NUM> when the attachment plate <NUM> is removably coupled to and urged toward an upper attachment bracket <NUM>. The upper attachment bracket includes an attachment rail <NUM> with corresponding geometry to the upper rail <NUM>. In one example, the upper attachment bracket <NUM> is removably coupled to the attachment plate <NUM> by actuating the thumb screw coupling mechanism <NUM> (which may actuate one or more of a spring-loaded catch or a screw, among others). Removably coupling the upper attachment bracket to the attachment plate <NUM> clamps the attachment plate <NUM> and upper attachment bracket <NUM> between the upper rail <NUM> and lower rail <NUM>. In another example, the attachment plate <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM> by one or more bolts.

In one example, the attachment plate <NUM> includes one or more, or an array of threaded holes configured to receive bolts of one or more sizes. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any size bolts may be utilized, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Depicted in <FIG> are four bolts 920a-d. These bolts 920a-d are used to couple, for example, the clamp <NUM> to the housing <NUM> in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts an isometric view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. The isometric view of <FIG> depicts the monitor <NUM> without the attachment plate <NUM> and upper attachment bracket <NUM>. As depicted, the housing <NUM> includes a battery cover <NUM> that is configured to provide access to a user-replaceable battery.

<FIG> depicts a side view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. <FIG> depicts a front view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. The input controls 136a and 136b may be used to setup the monitor <NUM> for monitoring one or more of load, vibration and inclination/tilt angle. In one example, when installed in a support structure and loaded, the monitor <NUM> may be initiated by actuating one or more of the input controls 136a-136b. This initiation may record setpoint values of load, tilt angle and vibration frequency/ energy. The monitor <NUM> may actuate one or more alarm elements (e.g., one or more of an audible or visible alarm, and/or an electronic signal communicated to an external device, such as a phone, tablet, computer) when the monitored values of load, tilt angle or vibration frequency/energy change by a certain predetermined amount, such a predetermined percentage amount or predetermined absolute value amount. It is contemplated that this predetermined amount may be any amount. It is also contemplated that the change in monitored value that initiates one or more alarm elements may be an automatically set amount, or may be a manually selected amount, selected using one or more of the input controls 136a-136b. <FIG> depicts a top view of the in-line electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein.

<FIG> schematically depicts a monitoring device <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. The monitoring device <NUM> may be similar to monitoring device <NUM>. Accordingly, the monitoring device <NUM> may include application-specific integrated circuits and/or general purpose circuitry configured to monitor one or more parameters of a strut to which the monitoring device <NUM> is coupled. In one example, the monitoring device <NUM> may be configured to monitor load (force), vibration (vibration intensity, frequency among others), and tilt angle.

The monitoring device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> that is configured to control the overall operation of the device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may execute instructions received from memory <NUM>. Accordingly, memory <NUM> may be a form of volatile or persistent memory of any type, and may be RAM, ROM, among others. The transceiver <NUM> may be configured with requisite hardware, firmware and software to facilitate wired and/or wireless communication between the monitoring device <NUM> and one or more external devices, such as smartphones, wireless internet routers. The transceiver <NUM> may be configured to send and/or receive information to/from an application running on a connected device, such a wirelessly connected smartphone or tablet. This application may be used to monitor data generated by the monitoring device <NUM> from a remote location, and/or to send setting information to the monitoring device <NUM>.

In one example, the transceiver <NUM> may be configured to receive information from hardware to which the monitoring device <NUM> is configured to be removably coupled. Specifically, the transceiver <NUM> may receive information from a strut (e.g., strut <NUM>) or another type of support hardware (e.g., base <NUM>). This received information may identify the connected hardware elements, and this information may be used to determine a maximum load to which the coupled hardware may be subjected. It is contemplated that the transceiver <NUM> may be configured to communicate across any wired or wireless communication channel utilizing any communication protocol. Examples include, but are not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, a cellular network, infrared, RFID, among others.

Additionally or alternatively, the transceiver <NUM> may be configured with a location determining sensor, such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, or another location determining receiver or transceiver.

The monitoring device <NUM> includes a load cell transducer <NUM> configured to output a signal proportional to a load, or a force, to which the transducer is subjected. Accordingly, the load cell transducer <NUM> may be positioned such that the force of a connected strut is transmitted partially or wholly through to the transducer <NUM>. It is contemplated that any transducer technology may be utilized, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The monitoring device <NUM> additionally includes interface <NUM>. This interface <NUM> may be configured with user interface hardware, firmware, and/or software configured to facilitate manual interface with the monitoring device <NUM> of the strut monitor, such as strut monitor <NUM>. Accordingly, the interface <NUM> may be in operative communication with a display and/or control buttons <NUM>, which may be similar to elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

The monitoring device <NUM> may additionally include an inertial unit <NUM>. This inertial unit <NUM> may include an accelerometer, and/or a gyroscope. Further, the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope may be sensitive along one, two, or three mutually perpendicular axes. The monitoring device <NUM> may additionally include a database <NUM> that may be configured to store data at recorded by the monitoring device <NUM> for subsequent review and/or analysis. The database <NUM> may store information related to a type of hardware to which the monitoring device <NUM> is coupled, loads exerted on the monitor (e.g., monitor <NUM>) within which the monitoring device <NUM> is encapsulated, loading events corresponding to changes in load exerted on the monitor within which the monitoring device <NUM> is encapsulated, vibration data, tilt angle data, among others. It is contemplated that any database structure and/or protocol may be used to store the information within database <NUM>, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In one example, the monitoring device <NUM> may include recorder functionality, which may be referred to as black box functionality. This black box functionality may allow a user to analyze data following the use of the monitoring device <NUM> in a rescue scenario during which it is used to monitor a load, vibration, and/or tilt angle of a strut used to shore an otherwise unstable external structure. The black box functionality may automatically communicate data stored in database <NUM> to an external device to which the monitoring device <NUM> is wired or wirelessly connected upon detection of a trigger event, such as a change in load, tilt angle, and/or vibration intensity above a threshold amount. In another example, the monitoring device <NUM> may continuously store data locally within database <NUM> and simultaneously store that same data, or a portion thereof, in a remote location away from the monitoring device <NUM>. In one example, the monitoring device <NUM> may store load, vibration, and/or tilt angle information for a strut to which the monitoring device <NUM> is connected, as well as from separate monitoring devices to which the device <NUM> may be in wired or wireless communication. In this scenario, The monitoring device <NUM> may act as a redundant database storing information from separate monitoring devices used to support various structures at the site of a rescue or other type of shoring operation. In another example, the black box functionality of the monitoring device <NUM> may transmit stored information from database <NUM> to a user upon receipt of a request by that user. The information may be transmitted to the display <NUM>, and/or to the transceiver <NUM> for communication to an external device.

The disclosure is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the disclosure include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The disclosure may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked, for example, through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

The various embodiments described herein may be implemented by general-purpose or specialized computer hardware. In one example, the computer hardware may comprise one or more processors, otherwise referred to as microprocessors, having one or more processing cores configured to allow for parallel processing/execution of instructions. As such, the various disclosures described herein may be implemented as software coding, wherein those of skill in the computer arts will recognize various coding languages that may be employed with the disclosures described herein. Additionally, the disclosures described herein may be utilized in the implementation of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or in the implementation of various electronic components comprising conventional electronic circuits (otherwise referred to as off-the-shelf components). Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various descriptions included in this disclosure may be implemented as data signals communicated using a variety of different technologies and processes. For example, the descriptions of the various disclosures described herein may be understood as comprising one or more streams of data signals, data instructions, or requests, and physically communicated as bits or symbols represented by differing voltage levels, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields, optical fields, or combinations thereof.

One or more of the disclosures described herein may comprise a computer program product having computer-readable medium/media with instructions stored thereon/therein that, when executed by a processor, are configured to perform one or more methods, techniques, systems, or embodiments described herein. As such, the instructions stored on the computer-readable media may comprise actions to be executed for performing various steps of the methods, techniques, systems, or embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the computer-readable medium/media may comprise a storage medium with instructions configured to be processed by a computing device, and specifically a processor associated with a computing device. As such the computer-readable medium may include a form of persistent or volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk (CD-ROMs, DVDs), tape drives, floppy disk, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, DRAM, VRAM, flash memory, RAID devices, remote data storage (cloud storage, and the like), or any other media type or storage device suitable for storing data thereon/therein. Additionally, combinations of different storage media types may be implemented into a hybrid storage device. In one implementation, a first storage medium may be prioritized over a second storage medium, such that different workloads may be implemented by storage media of different priorities.

Further, the computer-readable media may store software code/instructions configured to control one or more of a general-purpose, or a specialized computer. Said software may be utilized to facilitate interface between a human user and a computing device, and wherein said software may include device drivers, operating systems, and applications. As such, the computer-readable media may store software code/instructions configured to perform one or more implementations described herein.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, techniques, or method steps of those implementations described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware devices, computer software, or combinations thereof. As such, various illustrative modules/components have been described throughout this disclosure in terms of general functionality, wherein one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the described disclosures may be implemented as hardware, software, or combinations of both.

The one or more implementations described throughout this disclosure may utilize logical blocks, modules, and circuits that may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.

The techniques or steps of a method described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in software executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. In some embodiments, any software module, software layer, or thread described herein may comprise an engine comprising firmware or software and hardware configured to perform embodiments described herein. Functions of a software module or software layer described herein may be embodied directly in hardware, or embodied as software executed by a processor, or embodied as a combination of the two. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read data from, and write data to, the storage medium. The ASIC may reside in a user device. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user device.

<FIG> is a flowchart diagram <NUM> that may be executed by the monitoring device <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one example, one or more processes may be executed at block <NUM> of flowchart <NUM> to identify a length and/or a type of a strut (e.g., strut <NUM>) (or other support hardware, such as base plate <NUM>) that is removably coupled to the monitoring device <NUM>. In one example, this identification may be automatic, based upon a signal received from the attached hardware. Further this signal may be received from a Bluetooth low energy (BTLE) transceiver within the attached hardware, or from an RFID tag, among others. Further, the received information may include a length of the strut, which may be a fixed length of a length at which the strut has been adjusted. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the loading to which a strut may be subjected will depend upon the strut geometry, which may include the material type, material thickness, one or more strut widths, and/or a length of the strut. In additional or alternative examples, the strut length and type may be identified block <NUM> based upon manually entered information received by the monitoring device <NUM>.

One or more processes may be executed at block <NUM> to identify maximum conditions to which the strut may be subjected, based upon the identified strut type and length from block <NUM>. These maximum conditions may include a maximum load, a maximum vibration frequency/energy, and/or a maximum tilt angle, among others.

One or more processes may be executed at block <NUM> to set a threshold above which the monitor will execute an alert. This threshold may be a load threshold, a vibration threshold, or a tilt angle threshold, among others. The threshold set at block <NUM> may be automatically determined based upon a lookup table stored within the database <NUM>, and/or may be manually entered into the monitoring device <NUM>.

Decision block <NUM> may correspond to one or more monitoring processes during which the monitoring device <NUM> periodically calculates one or more of a load, vibration intensity and/or frequency, and/or tilt angle, and compares the calculated data to the threshold set at block <NUM>. If the threshold has not been reached, flowchart <NUM> proceeds to block <NUM> and the strut monitor <NUM> continues monitoring the structural support system that includes one or more struts. If one or more thresholds are reached, flowchart <NUM> proceeds to block <NUM>, at which one or more alarms may be activated. These one or more alarms may be local to the device <NUM> (e.g., on the monitor <NUM>), and/or may be remote. A local alarm may include an audible and/or visible alert signal. In one example, a remote alarm may include a signal to activate a warning on a device to which the strut monitor <NUM> is connected.

<FIG> depicts an isometric view of an alternative coupling mechanism <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. The coupling mechanism <NUM> may be similar to coupling mechanism <NUM>. As such, the coupling mechanism <NUM> may be configured to be removably coupled to the monitor <NUM> in a manner similar to the mechanism <NUM>. In one exam, the coupling mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to as "backpack" elements.

Advantageously, the coupling mechanism <NUM> may be utilized to facilitate rapid coupling and uncoupling of structures to the monitor <NUM>. These structures may include clamp structure <NUM>, plate structure <NUM>, and suction clamp structure <NUM> among others. The coupling mechanism <NUM> may include attachment rails <NUM> and <NUM>, which may be configured to be removably coupled to the upper rail <NUM> and lower rail <NUM> of the monitor <NUM>, as previously described. Similar to coupling mechanism <NUM>, the coupling mechanism <NUM> may include an upper attachment bracket <NUM> (similar to upper attachment bracket <NUM>) that is removably coupled to an attachment plate <NUM> (similar to attachment plate <NUM>) by a thumb screw coupling mechanism <NUM> (similar to coupling mechanism <NUM>). The coupling mechanism <NUM> additionally includes a socket sleeve <NUM> into which a quick-attach bracket <NUM> is removably coupled by a pull button (otherwise referred to as a pull pin) <NUM>. The pull button <NUM> which includes a spring-actuated catch <NUM> that is received into a corresponding hole or depression of the quick-attach bracket <NUM>. One of these holes of the quick-attach bracket <NUM> is depicted in <FIG> as element <NUM>. In one example, the quick-attach bracket <NUM> has a rounded square plug sleeve geometry <NUM> configured to be received into the rounded square geometry of the socket sleeve <NUM>. Further, the plug sleeve <NUM> may have <NUM> substantially symmetrical sides with holes similar to hold <NUM> such that the catch <NUM> can engage with the plug sleeve <NUM> regardless of the orientation of the plug sleeve <NUM> relative to the socket sleeve <NUM>. The quick-attach bracket <NUM> may additionally include an attachment surface <NUM> to which external structures may be bolted. These external structures may include, among others, structures <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment surface <NUM> of the quick-attach bracket <NUM> may include tapped or untapped attachment holes configured to receive bolts 1626a-d. It is contemplated, similar to the other structures throughout this disclosure, that the bolts 1626a-d may be of any size and the tapped/ untapped holes into which they are received may be spaced with any spacing pattern relative to one another.

<FIG> depicts an isometric view of an electronic strut monitor <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. The electronic strut monitor <NUM> may be similar to electronic strut monitor <NUM>, as previously described. As depicted, the electronic strut monitor <NUM> is removably coupled to the backpack coupling mechanism <NUM>, as described in relation to <FIG>. Further, the backpack coupling mechanism <NUM> is removably coupled to the quick-attach bracket <NUM>, which may in turn be coupled (bolted) to external clamp elements (not depicted in <FIG>).

<FIG> depicts an isometric view of the electronic strut monitor <NUM> decoupled from the backpack coupling mechanism <NUM>, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted in <FIG>, the backpack coupling mechanism <NUM> has been decoupled from quick-attach bracket <NUM>. When the backpack coupling mechanism <NUM> has been decoupled from the electronic strut monitor <NUM>, which exposes the battery cover <NUM>. This battery cover <NUM> provides access to one or more batteries powering the electronics of the monitor <NUM>. The battery cover <NUM> may be similar to battery cover <NUM>, but the battery cover <NUM> is affixed to the casing <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> by two fasteners 1706a, 1706b (which may be two bolts, although the those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any fixture type may be used in place of the depicted fixtures throughout this disclosure).

Aspects of the embodiments have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

Claim 1:
An electronic monitor (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) with a bore (<NUM>) extending into the housing (<NUM>) and a second end spaced apart from the first end (<NUM>) along an axial length, wherein the housing (<NUM>) comprises a first sidewall (<NUM>), and the housing (<NUM>) further comprises a second sidewall and a third sidewall, the electronic monitor (<NUM>) further comprising a first handle structure (<NUM>) rigidly coupled to the second sidewall, and a second handle structure (<NUM>) rigidly coupled to the third sidewall;
a first coupling mechanism (<NUM>) at the first end (<NUM>) configured to removably couple the first end (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) to a temporary support strut;
a second coupling mechanism at the second end of the housing (<NUM>), the second coupling mechanism comprising a cylindrical shaft (<NUM>) with a circumferential channel (<NUM>);
a monitoring device positioned within the housing (<NUM>), the monitoring device comprising a load cell configured to measure at least a portion of a force exerted upon the first coupling mechanism (<NUM>) by the temporary support strut; and
an electronic interface (<NUM>), configured to communicate to a user information about the force measured by the load cell, characterized in that the first and second handle structures each comprise a closed-loop structure additionally configured to prevent the electronic interface (<NUM>) from being accidentally impacted by an external surface.