US3840262A

US3840262A - Pipe sling

Info

Publication number: US3840262A
Application number: US00255578A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Foster; L Scott
Original assignee: CRC Crose International Inc
Current assignee: CRC Evans Pipeline International Inc
Priority date: 1969-10-08
Filing date: 1972-05-22
Publication date: 1974-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-08

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved pipe sling having spaced end members, fabric material belts extending between and fastened to the end members, and fabric material fastened to the belts to maintain the belts in substantially their preselected relationship to each other. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

United States Patent I 91 Foster et al,

v 1 Oct. 8, 1974 I [56] References'Cited [5 1 PIPE SLING [75] Inventors: Robert D. Foster; Leonard W. Scott,

Jr., both of Houston, Tex.

[73], Assignee:v CRC-Crose International, Inc.,

Houston, Tex. 221 Filed: May 22, 1972 [21] App1.No.: 255,578

Related U.S. ApplicationData '[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 146,524, May 24,

1971, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 864,717,

Oct. 8, 1969, abandoned.

52 us. C1. 294/74 [51] Int Cl B66c1/18 [581 Field of Search 294/67 E, .57 EA, 74,75, 294/7 77 UNITED'STATES PATENTS 2,598,921 6/1952 Knudsen... 294/74 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-W. Ronald Robins; Joe E.

Edwards; Jack R. Springga te [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to an improved pipe sling having spaced end members, fabric material belts extending between and fastened to the end members, and fabric material fastened to'the belts to maintain the belts in substantially their. preselected relationship to each other. Thisabstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the-claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as 7 to the scope of: the invention in any way.

' 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUBT 819M 3.840.262

' mums ROBERT D; Fos TEE LEONARD W. Sco JR.

INVEN 5.

PIPE SLING BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 146,524 which-is a continuation of application Ser. No. 864,717, now abandoned.

Pipe slings, as heretofore known to the art, were two general types: Those employing wire rope, cables or metallic elements as load-bearing members, as shown in the Pat. to Meisen, No. 2,960,365 issued Nov. 15, 1960; and those employing fabric belts or straps as load-bearing members, as shown in the Pat. to Norton, No. 3,290,083 issued Dec. 6, 1966, and to Sutton, No. 3,425,737 issued Feb. 4, 1969.

Where it is desired to employ the fabric belt type of sling, it has been found that said fabric belts are subject to abrasion by contact with pipes and other surfaces and also suffer from exposure to the sun and elements. Therefore, as in Sutton, it was found necessary to encase the belts, as well as the metal end members of the sling in protective sheaths such as polyurethaneimpregnated cover. The cover, enclosing both belts and end members, adds substantially to the 'weight and cost of the sling, especially in the sizes needed to accommodate pipes of large diameter.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved pipe sling which employs fabric or lightweight loadbearing members and which is so constructed that it is lighter in weight than those previously known in the art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pipe sling which combines a plurality of lightweight nylon belts having a protective material impregnated therein with a spacer sheet of fabric material secured to the belts to form a unitary structure whereby a minimum amount of material is required to manufacture said sling.

A further object is to provide an improved pipe sling wherein the sheet material which maintains the loadbearing belts in spaced position is secured to' said belts, but terminates short of the end members of the sling; said sheet material functioning to produce a unitary structure which facilitates handling of the sling.

A further object is to provide such a sling wherein a plurality of load bearing belts are disposed in substantially parallel and abutting relationship'and are joined by straps of fabric material disposed longitudinally of the belts.

Another object is to provide such a sling wherein the load bearing belts are of double thickness and the fabric sheet or straps joining the beltsare protected from abrasion by being disposed between the two layers of load bearing belts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the present invention which is described and explained in conjunction with members, the fabric belts, and showing the spacer sheet in solid and broken lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pipe sling of FIG. I connected to an overhead pipe-handling apparatus and being used to lift a pipe section.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternate forms of the sling end members.

FIG. 6 is primarily a plan view with a portion shown in section, of an alternate form of the pipe sling of the present invention, wherein the load-bearing belts are in spaced parallel relationship.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another alternate form of the pipe sling of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternate form of the pipe sling wherein the spacer sheet is replaced by two longitudinal straps of fabric each of which straps connects two adjacent belts to provide a unitary structure.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and showing the connecting strap of material disposed between the two layers of the load supporting belts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the sling. It consists basically of a pair of spaced

end members

10 and 10a joined by a'plurality of fabric belts 11, with a sheet of fabric material 12 attached to the belts to hold them in proper spaced relationship.

The end member 10 is preferably formed of metal and is basically rectangular in shape. Disposed longitudinally and in alignment along one side of the end member are a plurality of circular openings 13 suitable for receiving the hooks of a lifting device. Located along the other side and also disposed longitudinally, but offset in different longitudinal planes, are a plurality of slots 14. The second end member 10a is spaced from and is a duplicate of the end member 10, and is provided with circular openings 13a and longitudinally disposed slots 14a.

Attached to and extending between the spaced

end members

10 and 10a are the load-bearing belts 11. These belts are formed from straps of some strong, lightweight fabric, preferably'nylon, which has been treated with an abrasion-resistant material, such as polyurethane, in order to increase its abrasion resistance and overall durability.

The preferred method for attaching the individual belts to the end members is shown in FIG. 2. One end of a strap from which the belt is formed is passed through one of the slots 14 in end member 10, with a short piece of fabric material 15 being interposed between the end member and the strap to reduce wear on the strap. Other abrasion-resistant material such as leather may be used in lieu of fabric for piece 15. The opposite end 11b of the strap is passed through the corresponding slot in end member 10a, again with a piece of fabric 15a being placed to reduce wear on the strap from contact with the metal end member. The two ends 11a and 11b are then brought together in overlapping relationship so as to form the strap into an endless loop. Heavy stitching 16 is used to bind the ends securely toget her.

Forming-the strap into an endless loop as described produces a beltof double thickness for extra strength,

and is our preferred embodiment. However, it is obvious that a belt of single thickness, if desired, may be formed merely by using a shorter strap, passing one end through a slot 14 in end member 10, passing the other end through the corresponding slot in end member a, folding the ends up against the strap body, and securely stitching them in place.

By offsetting or staggering the

slots

14 and 14a, it is possible to locate the longitudinal edges of the belts '11 in abutting relationship without weakening the end members. With such an arrangement, the belts present a substantially uninterrupted surface for engagement with the pipe.

In order to keep the individual belts 11 properly .spaced and aligned for equal load distribution, as well as to provide a unitary assembly for ease of handling, a sheet of suitable fabric material 12 is placed transversely of the belts, and each belt is attached to it. In our preferred form as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet 12 is inserted or confined between the upper and lower runs of the belt loops, extending approximately the full width of the combined belts and approximately the full length of the belts between the end members; terminating, however, short of the

end members

10 and 10a. The sheet 12 may be attached to the belts by stitching 17 which extends around the perimeter of the sheet and down the center of each belt. As shown in FIG. 2, the stitching 17 extends through both the upper and lower runs of each belt 11, as well as the sheet 12, to bind the belts and sheet into a unitary assembly.

The use of the pipe sling is illustrated in FIG. 3. One end of the pipe sling is attached by means of the circular openings 13 in the end member 10 to the hooks (not shown) ofa pipe-lifting device A. The other end of the sling is passed under the pipe P to be lifted and the end member 10a is then engaged, via circular openings 130, with hooks B on the opposite side of the pipe-lifting device. The device A and the pipe sling and pipe may then be lifted and moved about by the cable C of a crane or other overhead device (not shown).

In the preferred form of our pipe sling as shown in FIG. 1, the lateral placement of the slots 14 in the

end members

10 and 10a produces a sling wherein the belts 11 are in abutting parallel relationship. However, this abutting relationship is not essential, and in FIG. 6, the belts 111 are illustrated as spaced from each other. Each belt engages slots 114 and 114a formed in the spaced

end members

110 and 110a. A sheet 112 of fabric material is stitched to the belts and maintains them in proper spaced relationship; as noted, it also provides a unitary assembly which facilitates handling of the sling.

Although it is preferred to insert the

sheet

12 or 112 between the upper and lower runs of each belt 11 or 111, it is not necessary to do so. The

sheet

12 or 112 may be attached to one side of the belts, preferably to that side of the belt opposite that which engages the pipe. Since its function is to maintain the belts in spaced relationship and to form a unitary assembly, the

spacer sheet

12 or 112 may be secured between the runs of each belt loop or to either side of each belt. Also, while it is shown to use a

single sheet

12 or 112 for connecting the belts, it is obvious that a plurality of fabric straps placed longitudinally, transversely or diagonally of the load bearing .belts and fastened thereto would serve the same function of keeping the belts properly spaced and aligned.

It is possible to form all of the load-bearing belts from a single, continuous strap 21] of fabric by looping the strap back and forth between the

slots

214 and 214a of spaced end members 210 and 210a, as shown in FIG. 7. Using a strap of sufficient length, belts of double or triple thickness may be produced by doubling the strap back across the entire route one or more times. In this form, a spacer sheet 212 is suitably stitched to all belts.

A modified form of end member 310 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The slots 314 are offset or staggered in a manner similar to those shown in FIG. 1, the only difference being that said slots 314 are of I different lengths, whereby belts of different widths may be employed.

If it is desired that a single series of openings be formed in each end member to function both as a means for attaching the belts to the end members and as means for attaching the pipe sling to the hooks of a lifting device, then the end member 410 shown in FIG. 4 maybe used. Such a member has a plurality of triangular-shaped openings 414 formed therein; the inner or straight side 414a of each slot is engaged by a belt while the curved apex area 41411 is adapted to be engaged by the hooks B of a lifting device A.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown an alternate form of the pipe sling wherein the several loadbearing belts are interconnected by straps of fabric disposed longitudinally of the belts and connected thereto. The end members 510 are of slightly modified shape with the hook'receiving circular openings 513 being disposed on roughly semi-circular projections 510a formed from the body of end member 510. The belt slots 514 are staggered longitudinally and transversely so that the load-bearing belts may be disposed in parallel abutting relationship, as explained above in connection with FIG. 1. Extending between the two end members are three double-layered load-bearing belts 511 disposed in parallel relationship with their edges abutting. Interconnecting the three load-bearing belts are two fabric material straps 512 disposed longitudinally of the load-bearing belts. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the fabric straps 512 is disposed between the two layers of the load-bearing belts 511 along a line formed by the abutting longitudinal edges of two belts and is stitched to eachof said two abutting belts 511 by stitching 517. The outer edges of the two outer belts 517 are also stitchedat 517 to bind the two layers of the belt together. The two straps of fabric 512 perform the same function as the larger sheet of fabric material 12, shown in FIG. 1, of maintaining the belts 511 in proper alignment and forming the entire pipe sling into a unitary body.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention constitutes an improved pipe sling wherein the load-bearing belts of fabric material are treated for abrasionresistance, thereby eliminating the necessity for a protective sheathing for the belts. Since it requires no sheating, the sling is lighter than previous pipe slings of comparable strength, requires less material to manufacture, and is cheaper and easier to manufacture. The sheet 12 being attached to all of the belts, functions to connect all belts into a unitary assembly which assures ease of handling.

as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A pipe sling including a pair of metallic end members spaced from each other, each end member being of a generally rectangular shape and having a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openings are adapted to coact with a lifting device,

a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in a substantially parallel side-to-side relationship with their adjacent edges being in close spaced relationship, said belts extending between said end members and being adapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by said sling,

said .belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material,

means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members;

a sheet of fabric material extending transversely and longitudinally of the belts, and of a size to locate its transverse edges short of the spaced end members,

said sheet being of relatively lightweight material whereby it adds a minimum of weight to said sling, and

means for fastening said sheet to each of said belts to maintain said belts substantially in their preselected relationship to each other so as to distribute the load among the belts,

said sheet being so positioned in relation to the loadbearing surfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasion by said pipe,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double layered belt including upper and .lower runs and said sheet of fabric material being disposed between the two runs of each belt.

2. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinal slots spaced longitudinally of said end members.

3. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein,

said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other.

4. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein the means for attaching said end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of triangularshaped openings which'openings are also adapted to coact with a lifting-apparatus,

the base of said triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage said belts and the apex to engage said lifting apparatus.

5. A pipe sling comprising:

a pair of metallic and members spaced from each other, each end member having a plurality of openings adapted to coact with a lifting device,

a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in a substantially parallel side-to-side relationship to each other with their longitudinal edges abutting or in close spaced relationship to each other, said belts extending between said end members and being adapted to directly engage the exterior surface'of a pipe supported by said sling,

said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material, A

means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members,

fabric material interconnecting said belts and of a size to locate its transverse edges short of the spaced end members,

said fabric material being relatively lightweight whereby it adds a minimum of weight of said sling, and

means for fastening said material to said belts to maintain said belts substantially in their preselected relationship to each other so as to distribute the load among the belts,

said fabric material being so positioned in relation to the load-bearing surfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasion by said pipe,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layered belt including upperand lower runs and wherein said fabric material being disposed between the two runs of each belt.

6. A pipe sling according to claim Swherein said fabric material comprises a strap of fabric 'material disposed longitudinally of said belts and fastened to at least two of saidv belts.

7. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said fabric material comprises a sheet extending transversely and longitudinally of said belts and fastened to each of said belts.

, 8. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinal slots spaced longitudinally of said end members.

9. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein,

said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slots .being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other. 10. A pipe sling according to claim 9 wherein said fabric material comprises a plurality of fabric straps disposed longitudinally of said belts, I

each of said straps being disposed along a line formed by the abutting longitudinal edges of two of said belts and partially underlying and fastened to each of said two belts.

11. A pipe sling according to claim.5 wherein the means for attaching said end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of triangularshaped openings which openings are also adapted to coact with a lifting apparatus,

12. A pipe sling comprising:

a pair of metallic end members spaced from each other, each member having a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openings are adapted to coact with a lifting device, and a plurality of longitudinal slots, with alternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other;

a plurality of load-bearing fabric ,material belts extending between said end members and passing through said longitudinal slots,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layered belt including upper and lower runs,

said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material and adapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by said slings, and

said belts being disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to each other with their longitudinal edges substantially abutting or in close spaced relationship to each other; and

weight to said sling.

Claims

1. A pipe sling including a pair of metallic end members spaced from each other, each end member being of a generally rectangular shape and having a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openings are adapted to coact with a lifting device, a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in a substantially parallel side-to-side relationship with their adjacent edges being in close spaced relationship, said belts extending between said end members and being adapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by said sling, said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material, means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members, a sheet of fabric material extending transversely and longitudinally of the belts, and of a size to locate its transverse edges short of the spaced end members, said sheet being of relatively lightweight material whereby it adds a minimum of weight to said sling, and means for fastening said sheet to each of said belts to maintain said belts substantially in their preselected relationship to each other so aS to distribute the load among the belts, said sheet being so positioned in relation to the load-bearing surfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasion by said pipe, each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double layered belt including upper and lower runs and said sheet of fabric material being disposed between the two runs of each belt.

3. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein, said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other.

4. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein the means for attaching said end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of triangular-shaped openings which openings are also adapted to coact with a lifting apparatus, the base of said triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage said belts and the apex to engage said lifting apparatus.

5. A pipe sling comprising: a pair of metallic and members spaced from each other, each end member having a plurality of openings adapted to coact with a lifting device, a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in a substantially parallel side-to-side relationship to each other with their longitudinal edges abutting or in close spaced relationship to each other, said belts extending between said end members and being adapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by said sling, said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material, means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members, fabric material interconnecting said belts and of a size to locate its transverse edges short of the spaced end members, said fabric material being relatively lightweight whereby it adds a minimum of weight of said sling, and means for fastening said material to said belts to maintain said belts substantially in their preselected relationship to each other so as to distribute the load among the belts, said fabric material being so positioned in relation to the load-bearing surfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasion by said pipe, each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layered belt including upper and lower runs and wherein said fabric material being disposed between the two runs of each belt.

6. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said fabric material comprises a strap of fabric material disposed longitudinally of said belts and fastened to at least two of said belts.

8. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinal slots spaced longitudinally of said end members.

9. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein, said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other.

10. A pipe sling according to claim 9 wherein said fabric material comprises a plurality of fabric straps disposed longitudinally of said belts, each of said straps being disposed along a line formed by the abutting longitudinal edges of two of said belts and partially underlying and fastened to each of said two belts.

11. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein the means for attaching said end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a plurality of triangular-shaped openings which openings Are also adapted to coact with a lifting apparatus, the base of said triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage said belts and the apex to engage said lifting apparatus.

12. A pipe sling comprising: a pair of metallic end members spaced from each other, each member having a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openings are adapted to coact with a lifting device, and a plurality of longitudinal slots, with alternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other; a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts extending between said end members and passing through said longitudinal slots, each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layered belt including upper and lower runs, said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material and adapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by said slings, and said belts being disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to each other with their longitudinal edges substantially abutting or in close spaced relationship to each other; and a plurality of fabric material straps disposed longitudinally of said belts between the upper and lower runs of said belts, each of said straps being disposed along a line formed by the abutting longitudinal edges of two of said belts and partially underlying and fastened to each of said two belts, said fabric material straps being of relatively lightweight material whereby they add a minimum of weight to said sling.