Expansion bolt

{
  "publication_number": "US7011281B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Expansion bolt",
  "abstract": "An expansion bolt. A first chock has first and second outer ramping surfaces. A second chock has an inner ramping surface complementarily corresponding to the first outer ramping surface. A spring member biases the second chock radially inwardly against the first outer ramping surface of the first chock.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for releasably gripping a hole surface comprising: providing an expansion bolt comprising a collar, a cable slidingly running through said collar, a first chock connected to a first end of said cable, a second chock connected to said collar by a flexible rod, for cooperation with said first chock such that relative translation of said first chock in a first direction causes said first and second chocks to slidingly assume relative positions corresponding to an expanded configuration of the expansion bolt that grips the hole surface, and a cleaning bushing slidingly connected to said cable and captivated between said collar and first chock; said cleaning bushing being adapted to, in response to application of an impact force to said cleaning bushing, transmit a force to said first chock that results in a translation of said first chock relative to said second chock in a second direction opposite said first direction, to release said grip; wherein said cleaning bushing is adapted for transmitting to said first chock a substantial resulting force, and for transmitting to the second chock substantially no force, in response to the application of said impact force; and said cleaning bushing is adapted to translate relative to the collar so as to cause the release of said grip; inserting said chocks in a hole and causing the expansion bolt to adopt said expanded configuration; moving said cleaning bushing so as to make contact with said first chock; striking said cleaning bushing with a tool in said second direction so as to cause the expansion bolt to relax said grip; and pulling the expansion bolt out from the hole.",
    "2. An expansion bolt for releasably gripping a hole surface, comprising: a collar; a cable slidingly running through said collar; a first chock connected to a first end of said cable; a second chock connected to said collar by a flexible rod, for cooperation with said first chock such that relative translation of said first chock in a first direction causes said first and second chocks to slidingly assume relative positions corresponding to an expanded configuration of the expansion bolt that grips the hole surface; a cleaning bushing slidingly connected to said cable and captivated between said collar and first chock; said cleaning bushing being adapted to, in response to application of an impact force to said cleaning bushing, transmit a force to said first chock that results in a translation of said first chock relative to said second chock in a second direction opposite said first direction, to release said grip; wherein said cleaning bushing is adapted for transmitting to said first chock a substantial resulting force, and for transmitting to the second chock substantially no force, in response to the application of said impact force; and said cleaning bushing is adapted to translate relative to the collar so as to cause the release of said grip.",
    "3. The expansion bolt of claim 2, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "4. The expansion bolt of claim 2, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said collar toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "5. The expansion bolt of claim 4, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "6. The expansion bolt of claim 2, wherein said cleaning bushing is adapted to come into abutment with said one of said first and second chocks for transmitting said resulting force thereto.",
    "7. The expansion bolt of claim 6, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said second chock toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "8. The expansion bolt of claim 7, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "9. The expansion bolt of claim 2, further comprising a third chock, substantially identical to and azimuthally spaced apart from said second chock, and adapted for cooperation with said first chock such that relative translation of said first chock in said first direction causes said first and third chocks to slidingly assume relative positions corresponding to said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "10. The expansion bolt of claim 9, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "11. The expansion bolt of claim 9, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said collar toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "12. The expansion bolt of claim 11, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "13. The expansion bolt of claim 9, wherein said third chock is connected to said collar.",
    "14. The expansion bolt of claim 13, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said collar toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "15. The expansion bolt of claim 14, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "16. The expansion bolt of claim 13, wherein said outer surfaces of said second and third chocks each include respective slip-resistant gripping patterns for increasing the slip-resistance of said grip, wherein said gripping patterns comprise spaced-apart, substantially annular portions of the respective said outer surfaces of said second and third chocks.",
    "17. The expansion bolt of claim 16, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said collar toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "18. The expansion bolt of claim 17, wherein said first chock is frustoconical.",
    "19. The expansion bolt of claim 13, wherein said second and third chocks are connected to said collar by respective flexible rods.",
    "20. The expansion bolt of claim 19, further comprising a handle connected to a second end of said cable and a spring for biasing said handle away from said collar toward said expanded configuration of the expansion bolt.",
    "21. The expansion bolt of claim 20, wherein said first chock is frustoconical."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/086,672, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,821 filed Feb. 28, 2002.\n\nThe present invention relates to an expansion bolt, particularly for use in engaging drilled holes. The application incorporates by reference herein in its entirety the inventors' U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,578, wherein a description of the related art as it concerns rock climbing is provided. The borehole-engaging apparatus of the '578 patent provides a number of advantages over the prior art, such as simple construction, reliable operation, greater standardization, which reduces the cost per unit and the amount of gear that a climber must purchase and carry, and robustness or insensitivity to rotational orientation about the apparatus' longitudinal axis. For many purposes, including rock climbing, it is particularly important that the expansion bolt be easily removable. The lack of this feature is exemplified by an embodiment of an anchoring device shown in FIG. 3 of Dohmieier, U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,641, which biases hole gripping dogs outwardly with a brindle which is not accessible for removing the device.\n\nThe novel expansion bolt of the present invention provides advantages similar to those of the '578 patent, as well as outstanding ease of insertion and removal, and hole-engaging or holding strength. In addition to the problems associated with anchoring to rocks for rock climbing, the construction industry and providers of emergency services such as fire, police and rescue service often have the need for anchoring structures or devices for temporary use.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 29/024",
    "F16B 13/0891",
    "Y10S 248/925",
    "Y10T 403/7051"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47B 96/06",
    "A47F 5/08",
    "A63B 29/02",
    "F16B 13/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GUTHRIE KARL",
    "SCHWARTZ JOSEPH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "GUTHRIE KARL",
    "SCHWARTZ JOSEPH"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2003-12-30",
  "publication_date": "2006-03-14",
  "grant_date": "2006-03-14",
  "priority_date": "2002-02-28",
  "application_number": "US-74972803-A",
  "family_id": "46300615",
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}