US3254418A - Plumb-bob suspension - Google Patents

Description

June 7, 1966 c. STECKLE 3,254,413

PLUMP-BOB SUSPENSION Filed March 21, 1963 INVENTOR. CHARLES STECKLE BJIMjM Attorney United States Patent 3,254,418 PLUMB-BOB SUSPENSION Charles Steckle, McCandless Township, Allegheny County, Pa., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 266,989 Claims. (Cl. 33-216) The present invention relates generally to measuring devices and, more particularly, has as its primary object the provision of an improved plumb-bob suspension.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for suspending a plumb-bob from the top of a structure to determine the vertical inclination of the structure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus of the character described which is especially suitable for use in determining the vertical inclinations of structures in crowded or obstructed areas Where the use of conventional engineering (transit) equipment is not possible.

These and other objects will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the plumbbob suspension of the invention as used in determining the vertical inclination of a blast-furnace stove;

FIGURE 2 is a partial enlarged front elevational view partly in section of the plumb-bob suspension of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the guide angle element of the plumb-bob suspension of the invention.

Hereinbelow there is described an illustrative embodiment of the invention, which is adapted for suspending a plumb-bob from the top of a blast-furnace stove to determine the inclination of the stove; but it should be understood that the plumb-bob suspension apparatus of the invention is not restricted to use with blast-furnace stoves, but may be used equally effectively to determine the inclination of other vertical structures such as buildings, stacks, posts and the like, particularly where such structures are located in crowded or obstructed areas so that the use of conventional engineering instruments, such as transits, to determine inclination is precluded.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 2 designates a conventionalblast-furnace stove having a dome 6 and a service platform 4 centrally disposed on the dome 6.

The plumb-bob suspension of the invention, designated having a flange 18 and a web 20 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured by the bottom of its web 20 to the dome 6 adjacent the periphery of its base. The longitudinal axis of the guide angle 16 is directed substantially parallel with and directed generally radially of the dome. One upper end of the flange 18 is tapered as at 22 to provide a leading end to facilitate sliding of the other elements of the suspension of the invention thereon, as will be more fully explained.

- Two spaced clips 24 formed of resilient flat band steel strap are welded to the underside of the bar 10 adjacent its projecting end 12 and serve to support the bar on the guide angle 16. The clips 24 fit slidably over the flange 18 of the guide angle 16. A stop plate 26 projects from the underside of the bar 10 spaced from the portion 12 and is adapted to abut the tapered end of the flange 18 when the bar is mounted on the guide "angle 16, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The abutting relation of stop plate 26 with the tapered end 22 of flange 18 insures that the end 12 of bar 10 will project the same distance beyond the side of the stove each time the bar is placed on the angle 16.

In operation, to'determine the inclination of the stove 2, the safety chain 14 attached to the end of bar 10 is generally by reference numeral 8, is shown installed on the dome 6 of the stove below and to one side of the service platform 4. The apparatus of the invention includes an L-shape bar or handle 10 which is mounted to extend downwardly along one side of the dome 6 and then project, as at 12, in a horizontal plane normal to the vertical axis of the stove for a distance of approximately two feet beyond the outer periphery of the stove dome. The projecting portion 12 of the bar 10 is provided with vertically directed transverse holes 13 at calibrated, spaced intervals therealong for a purpose which will become apparent. If desired, the bar 10 may be in the form of a pipe section so as to minimize the weight thereof.

The end of bar 10 opposite its projecting end 12 may rest upon the railing of the service platform but it is not rigidly connected thereto. A safety chain 14 connected with the service platform railing and the bar 10' 12 of the bar 10. The leading end of the plumb-bob line 28 projecting from the hole 13a may be looped so that a relatively heavy plumb-bob may be attached to the plumb-bob line after it has been lowered to the bottom of the stove. With the plumb-bob line 28 being held in check so that it does not descend from the top of the stove, the apparatus of the invention is placed in position by manipulating the bar 10 to attach it to the guide angle 16 by sliding the clips 24 along the flange 18 until stop plate 26 abuts the tapered end of the flange.

After the bar 10 has been thus positioned and secured, the plumb-bob line 28 is lowered through the hole 13a into which it was threaded a distance X to a point adjacent the base of the stove. Since the distance between each of the holes 13 and the side of the stove is calibrated, the distance Y between the top of the stove and the plumb-bob line 28 can be readily determined. The series of calibrated holes 13 in the projecting'end 12 ofv the bar '10 provides suflicient flexibility to insure that the plumb-bob line 28 will clear the side of the stove all along its length to its base. The greater the degree of inclination of the stove, the greater the distance from the side of the stove that, the plumb-bob line must be suspended to insure clearance. not clear the side of the stove along its entire length, it is retracted and threaded through another hole 13 which is a further distance from the top of the stove.

After the plumb-bob line has been suspended .from the projecting end 12 of the bar 10 the required distance to the base of the stove, the upper end of the plumb-'bob line is secured by fastening it to the upper part of bar 10 by means of a clamp 29 and a plumb-bob 30 is attached to the loop on the bottom of the plumb-bob line. Then the distance Z between the stove shell at its base and the plumb-bob line 28 is measured.

The plumb-bob line 28 is then raised andthe bar 10 is removed from the guide angle 16 and moved degrees around the dome where it is re-installed on another guide angle affixed to the dome at this point. The plumb-bob line is suspended through hole 13a a predetermined verticaldistance X again and the distance Z is measured.

Patented June 7, 1966 If the plumb-bob line does Direction and extent of inclination of the stove can then be calculated in the usual manner from the measurements X, Y and Z.

It should now be apparent that I have accomplished the objects initially set forth. I' have provided an improved apparatus for suspending a plumb-bob from the top of a vertical structure to determine the inclination of the structure. I have provided a plumb-bob suspension which is especially suitable for use in determining the inclinations of structures in crowded or obstructed areas where the use of conventional engineering equipment is not possible.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for suspending a plumb-bob from the top of a substantially vertical structure for determining the inclination thereof which comprises a way rigidly mounted on the top of said structure, a support slidably fitted on said way, and a bar rigidly mounted on said support with a portion thereof projecting beyond one edge of said top, the projecting portion of said bar having at least one transverse opening therethrough for engaging a plumb-bob line.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which the projecting portion of said bar extends in a horizontal plane normal to the vertical axis of said structure.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including means on said bar adapted to engage said way to limit the movement of said support therealong.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said way is in the form of a T-angle section disposed with its flange portion spaced above said top, and said support constituting a clip fastened to said bar and slidably fitted on said flange portion.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4 including a plate rigidly aflixed to and projecting normal from said bar adjacent said clip, said plate being adapted to engage one end of said flange portion to limit the movement .of said clip and bar along said flange portion.

No references cited.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING A PLUMB-BOB FROM THE TOP OF A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STRUCTURE FOR DETERMINING THE INCLINATION THEREOF WHICH COMPRISES A WAY RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE TOP OF SAID STRUCTURE, A SUPPORT SLIDABLY FITTED ON SAID WAY, AND A BAR RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT WITH A PORTION THEREOF PROJECTING BEYOND ONE EDGE OF SAID TOP, THE PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID BAR HAVING AT LEAST ONE TRANSVERSE OPENING THERETHROUGH FOR ENGAGING A PLUMB-BOB LINE.

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