Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: IMPROVED BRIDGE OVERHANG BRACKET ASSEMBLY
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to shoring devices,
for
example, brackets used for bridge overhangs, and related hardware.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything
discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in
the
art.
[0003] United States Patent No. 6,059,258 discloses a support
structure
for temporarily shoring poured concrete slabs in place. The support structure
can be assembled and/or disassembled on site. The structure includes post
shores which act as the legs of a shoring tower when assembled with ledgers,
stringers, joists and/or cross braces, but can also be used separately as
single
post shores. The support structure can be adjusted to a number of heights and
configurations. The ledgers are mounted to the post shores with T-bolts for
ease of assembly and disassembly.
[0004] United States Patent No. 7,032,268 discloses a bridge overhang
bracket that includes an elongate top member having inner and outer ends an
elongate diagonal member having an inner end and an outer end, the outer end
of the diagonal member pivotally attached to the outer end of the top member,
upper and lower pivot joints secured to the top member and diagonal member,
respectively, adjacent the respective inner ends thereof, and an elongate side
member extending between and engaged with the upper and lower pivot joints.
At least one of the pivot joints comprises an adjustable axial engagement
mechanism for adjusting the position along the length of the side member at
which the at least one pivot joint engages the side member.
[0005] United States Patent No. 7,159,262 discloses an overhang
bracket that has a top member, a side member and a diagonal member. The
side and top member may be connected together through a removable
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connecter. A guardrail post holder allows a guardrail post to be installed at
a
variety of angles to the top member. Rotating the side member causes the
diagonal member to translate up or down the side member. A side member
locator extends upwards from the overhang bracket to indicate the location of
the side member. A tie rod holder holds a tie rod in an offset position
relative to
the side member. The side member locator may extend upwards through
further parts of the shoring system or bridge overhang structure, for example
a
floor of a concrete form or rebar. A worker may adjust the overhang bracket in
place from a standing position on a supporting structure or the floor of the
form.
INTRODUCTION
[0006] The following is intended to introduce the reader to the
detailed
description that follows and not to define or limit the claimed subject
matter.
[0007] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a bridge overhang
bracket
assembly may include: a top member extending lengthwise between inner and
outer ends; a diagonal member extending lengthwise between lower and upper
ends, the top and diagonal members being pivotally attached proximate to the
respective outer and upper ends thereof; a hanger element mounted to the top
member and translatable along the top member for adjusting a longitudinal
position of the hanger element relative to the top member; and a side member
extending lengthwise between bottom and top ends, the diagonal and side
members being pivotally attached proximate to the respective lower and bottom
ends thereof, and the hanger element being pivotally attached proximate to the
top end of the side member.
[0008] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a bridge overhang
bracket
assembly may include: a top member extending lengthwise between inner and
outer ends; a diagonal member extending lengthwise between lower and upper
ends, the top and diagonal members being pivotally attached proximate to the
respective outer and upper ends thereof, the diagonal member including at
least one connection tab arranged intermediate the lower and upper ends, the
connection tab for receiving a bolt to connect the top and diagonal members
together in a shipping/storage position; a hanger element mounted to the top
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member; and a side member extending lengthwise between bottom and top
ends, the diagonal and side members being pivotally attached proximate to the
respective lower and bottom ends thereof, and the hanger element being
pivotally attached proximate to the top end of the side member.
[0009] In an aspect, the present disclosure further relates to a
fastener
assembly for securing a side rail to a 1-bolt channel, the side rail having an
opening, and the T-bolt channel having an opening width, an inner width and
interior edges. The fastener assembly may include: a clamp member including
an inner side, an opposed outer side, and a bore extending along a bore axis
through the clamp member between the inner and outer sides; a bolt including
a head at the inner side of the clamp member and a body extending through
the bore, the head having a width and a length each perpendicular to the bore
axis, the width being smaller than the opening width of the T-bolt channel and
the length being larger than the opening width and smaller than the inner
width
of the T-bolt channel, the bolt being slidable relative to the clamp member
along the bore axis between a retracted position in which the head is
proximate
to the inner side and an advanced position in which the head is spaced from
the inner side; a nut threaded onto the body of the bolt at the outer side of
the
clamp member; and a biasing member arranged between the clamp member
and the nut to bias the bolt to the retracted position. In the advanced
position,
the bolt is rotatable relative to the clamp member about the bore axis between
(i) unlocked engagement in which the head is insertable through the opening of
the side rail into the T-bolt channel, and (ii) locked engagement in which the
head is arranged to engage the overlapping interior edges of the T-bolt
channel, with the biasing member urging the head against the T-bolt channel in
a first direction and the clamp member against the side rail in a second
direction opposite the first direction.
[0010] Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein
will
become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the
following description of the specific examples of the present disclosure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
001 1] The
drawings included herewith are for illustrating various
examples of apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure and are not
intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of an improved bridge bracket
overhang assembly installed onto a bridge girder/beam;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are side and exploded views, respectively, of the
assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of parts of the assembly of FIG. 1
shown moved into a shipping/storage position;
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are perspective, side and top views,
respectively, of bridge bracket overhang assemblies in the
shipping/storage position and loaded onto a rack;
FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B are perspective, bottom, side and end
views, respectively, of a hanger element of the assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an example of a fastener
assembly;
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are perspective and first and second
side views, respectively, of the fastener assembly of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 10
and a side rail;
FIGS. 13A and 13B are end views of the fastener assembly of
FIG. 10 and the side rail, showing unlocked and locked engagement,
respectively;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 10,
the side rail and a shoring leg including T-bolt channels; and
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FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 10,
the side rail and the shoring leg, in which the fastener assembly is in
locked engagement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to
provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No
embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed
invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described
below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses and methods
having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below, or
to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described
below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an
embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus
or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the
subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing
patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not
intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by
its
disclosure in this document.
[0013] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to bridge
overhang
brackets. Bridge overhang brackets are described in United States Patent Nos.
7,032,268 and 7,159,262, and the entire contents of each are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a concrete beam or girder 2 for supporting a
bridge
deck 4. An example of an improved bridge overhang bracket assembly is
shown generally at reference numeral 10. A hanger rod 6 is affixed to the beam
2, and a tie rod 8 couples the hanger rod 6 and the assembly 10.
[0015] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the assembly 10 has three
elongate members, namely, a top member 12 extending lengthwise between
inner and outer ends 14, 16, a diagonal member 18 extending lengthwise
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between lower and upper ends 20, 22, and a side member 24 extending
lengthwise between bottom and top ends 26, 28.
[0016] The terms top, diagonal and side are used herein to assist in
describing the assembly 10, and are not intended to be limiting. The top and
side members 12, 24 may depart significantly from the horizontal and vertical,
respectively.
[0017] The top and diagonal members 12, 18 are shown pivotally
attached proximate to the outer and upper ends 16, 22. The diagonal and side
members 18, 24 are shown pivotally attached proximate to the lower and
bottom ends 20, 26. In use, ends 14, 20 are nearest the beam or other
supporting structure (not shown), while the ends 16, 22 are the outboard ends
of the respective members 12, 18, furthest from the beam.
[0018] In the example illustrated, the assembly 10 includes a hanger
element 30 mounted to the top member 12. The hanger element 30 may be
translatable along the top member 12 between the inner and outer ends 14, 16
for adjusting a longitudinal position of the hanger element 30 relative to the
top
member 12. The hanger element 30 is shown pivotally attached proximate to
the top end 28 of the side member 24.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the top member 12 is shown to be formed of
first and second channel members 32, 34, which are arranged in parallel. A
first
bumper 36 and a guard post holder 38 are positioned between the channel
members 32, 34. A second bumper 40 is received by the lower end of the
diagonal member 18. An additional hanger element, indicated by reference
numeral 42, is shown in an inverted position relative to the hanger element
30,
underneath the channel members 32, 34. The hanger element 42 may be used
for attaching the assembly 10 to a tie rod (not shown). FIG. 3 further
illustrates
hardware for securing the components together.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, the diagonal and side members 18, 24 are
shown pivoted relative to the channel members 32, 34 to achieve a
storage/shipping position. In this position, the diagonal member 18 may be
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generally parallel with the channel members 32, 34, so that the lower and
upper ends 20, 22 of the diagonal member 18 are adjacent to the inner and
outer ends 14, 16 of the top member, respectively.
[0021] In the example illustrated, the diagonal member 18 includes
connection tabs 44, 46 arranged intermediate the lower and upper ends 20, 22.
The connection tabs 44, 46 are configured to receive respective bolts 48, 50
secured to holes in the channel members 32, 34 to connect the channel
members 32, 34 and the diagonal member 18 together in the shipping/storage
position. In the example illustrated, the connection tabs 44, 46 are disposed
on
and stand proud of an upper surface 52 of the diagonal member 18.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a plurality of bridge overhang
bracket assemblies 54 are shown in the storage/shipping position and stacked
on a rack 56. The rack 56 may be handled with a standard yard forklift, and
with a crane by attaching chains to the lifting lugs provided. As illustrated,
the
storage/shipping position is relatively compact thereby enabling efficient
storage and/or shipping.
[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be appreciated that
by
adjusting the longitudinal position of the hanger element 30, the position of
the
diagonal and side members 18, 24 may be varied quickly and easily, without
disassembly, i.e. without having to split and separate the channel members 32,
34, and may enable folding of the members 18, 24 to the shipping/storage
position. Similarly, by adjusting the longitudinal position of the hanger
element
42, the position of the assembly 10 relative to the bridge beam/girder may be
varied quickly and easily, without disassembly.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, the hanger element 30, 42
is shown to include a pair of plates 58 each having a generally horizontal
bore
60 extending therethrough. The bores 60 receive a pivot pin 62 in sliding fit.
As
illustrated, cotter pins may be used to maintain the pivot pin 62 in the bores
60.
The pivot pin 62 includes a generally vertical bore 64 through which the side
member 24 is received (see FIG. 3). In some examples, the side member 24
includes a threaded rod, and the vertical bore 64 includes a thread engaging
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element engaged with the threaded rod. The threaded rod and the thread
engaging element may be rotatable relative to each other and rotation of one
relative to the other moves the thread engaging element along an axial length
of the threaded rod.
[0025] In some examples, the hanger element 30 is configured to slide
relative to a top surface of the top member 12, and the hanger element 42 may
configured to slide relative to a bottom surface of the top member 12. In the
example illustrated, the hanger element 30, 42 includes a generally planar
flange surface 66 for bearing against the top and bottom surfaces of the top
member 12. In FIG. 3, the top surfaces of the channel members 32, 34 are
indicated by reference numerals 68, 70, respectively. Accordingly, in some
examples, the hanger element 30 may serve to distribute force uniformly
across the full width of surfaces 68, 70, and the hanger element 42 may serve
to distribute force uniformly across the full width of bottom surfaces of the
channel members 32, 34.
[0026] In the example illustrated, the hanger element 30, 42 includes
a
body 72 disposed intermediate of the flange surface 66. The body 72 is
configured to space apart the channel members 32, 34. The body 72 is shown
to include an aperture 74 for receiving a bolt to fix the longitudinal
position of
the hanger element 30, 42 relative to the top member 12. As illustrated, the
channel members 32, 34 may each include an array of holes extending along
its length to provide a variety of connection points for the hanger element
30,
42.
[0027] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to T-bolt
fasteners. The structure and function of conventional T-bolt fasteners is
described in United States Patent No. 6,059,258, the entire contents of which
is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 10, an example of a fastener assembly is
shown
generally at reference numeral 100. In the example illustrated, the fastener
assembly 100 includes a bolt 102, a clamp member 104, a biasing member
106, a washer 108 and a nut 110. The bolt 102 is shown to include a head 112
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and a threaded body 114. The clamp member 104 is shown to include an inner
side 116, an opposed outer side 118, and a bore 120 extending along a bore
axis 122 through the clamp member 104 between the inner and outer sides
116, 118.
[0029] The fastener assembly 100 is shown assembled in FIGS. 11A,
11B and 110. Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 110 (and with continued
reference to FIG. 10), the head 112 is at the inner side 116 of the clamp
member 104 and the body 114 extends through the bore 120. In the example
illustrated, the bolt 102 may slide relative to the clamp member 104 along the
bore axis 122 between a retracted position in which the head 112 is proximate
to the inner side 116 and an advanced position in which the head 112 is
spaced from the inner side 116. The nut 110 is threaded onto the body 114 of
the bolt 102 at the outer side 118 of the clamp member 104. The biasing
member 106 and the washer 108 are arranged between the clamp member
104 and the nut 110 to bias the bolt 102 to the retracted position. In the
example illustrated, the biasing member 106 takes the form of a spring.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13A and 13B, the fastener assembly 100
is
shown in combination with a side rail 124. The side rail 124 includes an
opening 126 having a length that is substantially larger that its width. The
head
112 has a width that is smaller than the width of the opening 126 and a length
that is larger than the width of the opening 126. It will be appreciated that
when
the fastener assembly 100 is in unlocked engagement (FIG. 13A), in which the
length of the head 112 is aligned with the length of the opening 126, the head
112 may be advanced for insertion into the opening 126 and retracted for
removal from the opening 126. In the advanced position, the bolt 102 may be
rotated relative to the clamp member 104 about the bore axis 122
approximately 90 between unlocked and locked engagement (FIG. 13B) in
which the head 112 engages overlapping interior edges 128 around the
opening 126 of the side rail 124, with the biasing member 106 urging the head
112 against the side rail 124, thereby to secure the fastener assembly 100 to
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the side rail 124. Accordingly, the fastener assembly 100 may be quickly and
easily secured to the side rail 124.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the fastener assembly 100 is
shown in combination with the side rail 124 and a shoring leg 130 having a
plurality of T-bolt channels 132. A purpose of the fastener assembly 100 is to
attach the shoring leg 130 to the side rail 124, and thus the whole modular
ledger, thereby quickly and easily turning legs and ledgers into a shoring
frame,
or vis versa turning a frame into legs that can be used as a post shore.
[0032] Again, the width of the head 112 is smaller than an opening
width
of the T-bolt channel 132 and the length is larger than the opening width and
smaller than an inner width of the T-bolt channel. In the advanced position,
the
bolt 102 may be rotated relative to the clamp member 104 about the bore axis
122 between unlocked engagement, in which the head 112 may be inserted
through the opening 126 of the side rail 124 into the T-bolt channel 132, and
locked engagement, in which the head 112 engages overlapping interior edges
of the T-bolt channel 132, with the biasing member 106 urging the head 112
against the T-bolt channel 132 in a first direction 134 and the clamp member
104 against the side rail 124 in a second direction 136 opposite the first
direction 134, thereby to secure the side rail 124 and the T-bolt channel 132
together. Accordingly, the fastener assembly 100 may be used to quickly and
easily secure the side rail 124 and the T-bolt channel 132 together.
[0033] While the above description provides examples of one or more
apparatuses or methods, it will be appreciated that other apparatuses or
methods may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
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