GB2141777A

GB2141777A - Suspension means

Info

Publication number: GB2141777A
Application number: GB08406438A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Richard Moorhouse
Original assignee: Chain & Rope Services
Current assignee: Chain & Rope Services
Priority date: 1983-03-26
Filing date: 1984-03-12
Publication date: 1985-01-03
Also published as: GB8406438D0; GB2141777B

Abstract

The suspension means for suspending chains, cables etc, from girders comprises two clamping elements 1 having corresponding ends 2 shaped to engage the flanges 3 of a girder 4, and corresponding holes 8 at the opposite ends 5 of the elements through which extends the closed end of a generally U or C shaped shackle member 9, the free ends of the legs of the shackle member being provided with stop means 10 to prevent the disengagement of the clamping elements from the shackle member, and there being means 7 to secure the clamping elements together and removable pin means 11 extending across the free ends of the shackle member. This arrangement prevents the separation of the clamping elements from the shackle when dismantled, and thus avoids their loss. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suspension means This invention relates to suspension means and is particularly concerned with means for suspending such items as chains, cables, hoses or the like from an 1- or T- sectioned girder, orfrom an I- or Tsectioned arch.

Particularly in underground applications in the mining industry it is frequently necessary to suspend chains, cables, fluid delivery hoses and the like, and conveniently existing mine arches are employed.

Hitherto, a two-part clamp has been provided one end of each part of which is so shaped to engage around the flanges of the arch, with the parts being suitably secured together such as by bolting. A suspension device is then secured to the clamp such as by providing a shackle with a removable pin, with corresponding holes in the clamp members and through which the pin can pass.

Whilst such constructions adequately serve their intended purpose, they have the disadvantage that on the removal of the shackle from the clamp and on the the removal of the clamp from the arch, the entire assembly has been dismantled. In the conditions that prevail underground it is frequently the case that one or more elements of the assembly are lost and when the remainder of the assembly cannot be re-used without obtaining a replacement part.

The object of the present invention is to provide a suspension means of the general character referred to above but which avoids the above referred to disadvantage.

According to the present invention, a suspension means comprises two clamping elements having corresponding ends shaped to engage the flanges of a girder, and corresponding holes at the opposite ends of the elements through which extends the closed end of a generally U or C shaped shackle member, the free ends of the legs of the shackle member being provided with stop means to prevent the disengagement of the clamping elements from the shackle member, and there being means to secure the clamping elements together and removable pin means extending across the free ends of the shackle member.

By ensuring that the clamping elements cannot be removed from the shackle member, the three essential items of the construction are permanently held together and no one item can then be lost following disconnection of the suspension means from a girder. Of the two removable items, the securing means for the clamping elements, which may simply be a nut and bolt, and the removable pin, can readily be replaced should they become lost.

In a preferred form of construction each clamping element can be formed from plate material of generally rectangular form, one end of which is bent to provide a recess into which can fit the flange of a girder. The shackle member is preferably initially in the form of round bar material preformed to be of U- or C- configuration which can be threaded through the corresponding holes in the clamping elements or straight and threaded through the corresponding holes and then bent into general U-configuration, and each free end upset-forged to provide integral abutment means. The upset-forged sections can then be drilled to provide a plain hole to one side for the passage of a pin and a threaded hole to the opposite side to receive a threaded end on the pin.

It is possible to captivate the shackle pin, thereby ensuring that a further element of the construction cannot become detached and lost. Thus, a circlip can be provided on the pin, after it has been inserted through the plain hole to one side of the shackle, and positioned on the pin such that it does prevent the pin from being screwed fully into the threaded hole at the other side of the shackle, and allows the pin to be withdrawn through the plain hole to an extent sufficient to allow substantially unrestricted access to the shackle by a chain, cable or the like.

One example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a suspension means according to the invention attached to an I- or T- section girder; Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

In the drawings, a suspension means is formed by two clamping elements 1 of generally rectangular section, each having an end portion 2 shaped to engage the flanges 3 of an I- or T- sectioned girder 4.

Each clamping element has a straight leg portion 5 extending from the shaped end portion 2, the leg portions having corresponding holes 6 part way along their length to enable the clamping elements to be secured together by a nut and bolt 7. Towards their outer ends, the leg portions 5 have further corresponding holes 8 to receive a U-shaped shackle 9.

As is shown more particularly by Figure 2, the free ends of the shackle have integral enlargements 10, said enlargements having a transverse dimension greater than the diameter of the holes 8 in the clamping members, one enlargement being provided with a plain hole and the other with a threaded hole to allow for the securing of a shackle pin 11 across the free ends of the shackle.

Advantageously, the enlargements 10 are formed by upset forging. Thus, after the clamping members 1 have been mounted on a plain U-shaped shackle e.g. formed from round section bar of 1.5% manganese steel, the ends of the shackle are upset forged, drilled and tapped, and after which, the clamping members are captive on the shackle, and cannot subsequently become detached and lost.

It is possible to captivate the shackle pin, thereby ensuring that a further element of the construction cannot become detached and lost. Thus, as is shown in Figure 2, a circlip can be provided on the pin, after it has been inserted through the plain hole to one side of the shackle, and positioned on the pin such that it does prevent the pin from being screwed fully into the threaded hole at the other side of the shackle, and allows the pin to be withdrawn through the plain hole to an extent sufficient to allow substantially unrestricted access to the shackle by a chain, cable or the like.

Claims

1. Asuspension means comprising two clamping elements having corresponding ends shaped to engage the flanges of a girder, and corresponding holes at the opposite ends of the elements through which extends the closed end of a generally U or C shaped shackle member, the free ends of the legs of the shackle member being provided with stop means to prevent the disengagement of the clamp ing elements from the shackle member, and there being means to secure the clamping elements together and removable pins means extending across the free ends of the shackle member.

2. A suspension means as in Claim 1, wherein said stop means are formed integrally on the free ends ofthe shackle member.

3. A suspension means as in Claim 2, wherein the integral stop means are formed by upset-forged end sections at the free ends of the shackle member.

4. A suspension means as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the removable pin means is held captive on the shackle.

5. A suspension means as in Claim 4, wherein circlip means are located on the pin to prevent its total withdrawal through the plain hole to one side of the shackle.

6. A suspension means as in Claim 3, wherein the upset-forged end sections are drilled and drilled and tapped respectively, to allow for the securing of the removable pin means across the free ends of the shackle member.

7. A suspension means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.