Abstract: A lifting device adapted to lift an object, such as a metal block, having a threaded socket for engagement of a lifting device. The lifting device comprises a ring, to which is rotatably mounted a hub having three outwardly extending threaded studs of different sizes. The appropriate stud, having a diameter matching that of the socket of the object to be lifted, can be moved into the lifting position for threaded engagement with the socket.

Abstract: A scissors-like engagement system includes pivotally secured first and second mating elements mutually including, at the ends of the mating elements, surfaces for complementally gripping and holding a projecting segment of an anchor element, in which the external surfaces of the ends of the mating elements define a parabolic surface nesting within a semi-hemispherical recess surrounding the anchor element. The complemental mating surfaces constitute male and female elements extending from, and centrally located within, the mating surfaces. The gripping surfaces are normally parallel to each other when the scissors-like engagement system is in a closed position about the anchor element. The male element of the complemental mating surfaces is an elongate, curvilinear, solid cylindrical member, the line of curvature of which lies equidistant from the surface of the semi-hemispherical recess within which the parabolic surface of the mating elements nest.

Abstract: A rock lifting device having an elongated shaft and at least two feather members. A pair of wedge surfaces are formed on the outer surface of the shaft adjacent its bottom end. The top end of each of the wedge surfaces is located farther inwardly from the outer surface of the shaft than its bottom end of the wedge surface. The wedge surfaces are substantially planar. Each of the feather members has a shank portion, an arm member extending outwardly from its top end, and a wedge portion extending from the bottom end of the shank portion. The wedge portion has a wedge surface upon its inner face. The wedge surfaces of the feather members mate with the wedge surfaces of the shaft. A transversely extending bore hole passes through the top of the shaft and a clevis attached to a chain may be secured thereto. There is also structure for securing the feather members to the shaft.

Abstract: A pickup device has a trunion plate that is placed across an opening formed by a tubular insert in a horizontal concrete slab or panel. A housing extends through a hole in the trunnion plate into the insert and defines an internal cavity disposed inwardly of the insert. A bore communicates an end of the housing outside the panel with the housing cavity. An axially movable actuator rod or plunger is disposed in the bore and includes a head disposed in the cavity and formed of contiguous cylindrical and conical portions. A plurality of lugs are movably mounted in housing cutouts that extend radially outward of the cavity and such lugs have sides facing the plunger head which are, respectively, parallel to the cylindrical and the conical portions of the plunger head for cooperation therewith so that the lugs are moved radially outward of the housing by the cooperating conical portion of the head and the angularly inclined lug sides.

Abstract: A body to be picked up is provided with a bolt having a relatively narrow shaft embedded in and projecting from the body and a relatively wide head on the shaft spaced from the body. This body is picked up by a device having a shackle provided with a crosspiece defining a lift eye to which is connected a grab cable and a pivot eye. A pickup member is pivotal on the pivot eye of the shackle about a pivot axis and has a generally radially extending actuation arm and an axially elongated and outwardly open pickup slot lying generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis and having a relatively wide end permitting radial passage of the head into and out of the slot and an angularly opposite relatively narrow end internally sufficiently wide to accommodate the head but externally insufficiently wide to permit radial passage of the head out of the slot.

Abstract: A pickup unit for releasable connection to an anchor insert embedded in a body, such insert having an exposed head portion and a reduced shank portion extending from the head portion and into the body, includes a connecting member rotatable adjacent to the insert head portion, such connecting member having a recess of the bayonet slot type receiving the insert head portion captive within the connecting member while the insert shank portion extends outwardly therefrom upon relative rotation between the connecting member and the insert in one direction, and such connecting member releasing the insert head portion upon such relative rotation in the opposite direction, a latch mounted for in and out movement relative to the recess for respectively preventing and permitting relative movement of the insert head portion out of the recess, a lever movably connected to the connecting member, structure for coupling the lever and the latch, and structure for engaging the lever with such body, whereby a force may be appl

Abstract: A hoisting attachment for a tilt-up wall slab is provided with a remotely operable quick release mechanism which is under the control of the positional attitude of a hoisting cable-attached shackle. An improved assemblage of wall slab insert anchor, support stand for the insert anchor, and a recess former frictionally attached to the upper end of the anchor is also provided.

Abstract: Coupling mechanism (11) for engaging and lifting a load (12) has a housing (19) with a guide passage (18) for receiving a knob (13) which is secured to the load (12) through a neck (15) of smaller diameter. A hollow ball (23) in the housing (19) has an opening (27) which receives the knob (13) and the ball (23) is then turned to displace the opening (27) from the housing passage (18) and to cause the neck (15) to enter a slot (29) in the ball (23) thereby securing the load (12) to the coupling mechanism (11) as elements (49) of the housing (19) block travel of the neck (15) back into the opening (27) when the ball (23) is turned to the load holding orientation. As engagement of the load (12) and locking of the coupling mechanism are accomplished simultaneously by the same ball (23) motion, operation is simplified and reliability is greatly increased. The ball (23) is preferably turned by a motor (32) through worm gearing (36) and the coupling mechanism (11) may be controlled from a remote location.

Abstract: A light-weight, inexpensive lifting device for facilitating the handling of heavy hollow-cored cylindrical objects such, for example, as the hollow supports commonly used with large rolls of paper and the like, comprising: (i) a thin-wall, pre-shaped cup member adapted to be force-fit into one end of the hollow-cored support and having an outwardly flared radial flange with a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hollow-cored support for engagement with one end of the support; (ii) a relatively thick metallic washer disposed within the base of the cup member; (iii) a saddle-like clip having parallel leg portions extending through the washer and the base of the cup member for securing such elements together; and (iv), an elongate steel strap or the like characterized by its resilient and self-supporting characteristics and formed into a closed loop having one arcuate loop end passing through the cup member and the washer and engaged with the saddle-like clip, and its opposite arcuate loop end normal

Abstract: A pit cover for retaining heat in an open top, ring-shaped, carbon anode baking furnace comprises an insulating cement cast into the form of the cover, at least one metal beam embedded in the insulating cement, and a plurality of stainless steel needles interspersed substantially throughout the insulating cement for reinforcement purposes. The insulating cement has a K factor of approximately 2 to 4, a density of approximately 80 to 100 lb./ft..sup.3, a cold crushing strength in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 psi, and a low iron content, preferably, less than 2%.

Abstract: A remotely releasable hoisting coupling for engagement with an anchor cast in place within a concrete slab. The anchor provides a passage opening through the surface of the slab and an annular abutment shoulder spaced beneath said surface. The coupling comprises a body insertable into the anchor, a pair of lugs supported in the body at diametrically opposed positions for rocking movement about a diametric axis extending normal to the body, and means to selectively move the lugs between a protruding condition engaged with the abutment shoulder and a retracted condition disengaged from the shoulder. The means to selectively move the lugs comprises a rod axially moveable within the body and having cam surfaces directly engagable with the lugs to force the lugs to the protruding condition and holding surfaces to maintain the lugs in the protruding condition, without loading the cam surfaces.

Abstract: A device for lifting a cover plate, the cover plate having a hole therein with opposed beveled surfaces, preferably at the center of gravity of the plate, which device includes a lifting element having an eye extended above laterally expanded, beveled portions, the beveled portions being slightly shallower than the thickness of the plate and of dimensions adapted to correspond in size and angle with the beveled surfaces of the plate.

Abstract: A handling/lifter device for a bulky mass or slab of associated materials such as concrete or the like. A housing body has a large hollow chamber, below which arms extend outwardly to retain or lock the device into the mass or slab; and a flexible cable, which is secured to the assembly of housing and arms, provides a graspable component which is stuffed into the housing's chamber but is withdrawable to provide a graspable loop when desired for a handling or lifting procedure.

Abstract: In order to form in a concrete body during casting thereof a part-spherical recess around the head of a pickup bolt having a stem embedded in the body, an apparatus is employed comprising a pair of like elements each having an outer surface complementary to a respective half of the inner surface of the recess. These elements are formed with respective halves of a seat that complementarily surrounds the bolt head and the stem in the recess. A bridge is provided with a pair of pivots that define pivot axes for the respective elements, and a manipulating member is rigidly connected to this bridge.

Abstract: Apparatus such as a pickup unit for releasable connection to a member such as an anchor insert embedded in an object such as a concrete body, of the type including a housing forming part of the apparatus and which is inserted into the object adjacent to the member, lugs movably mounted in the housing for releasable engagement with the member, and an actuator movably mounted in the housing for moving the lugs between member-engaging and disengaging dispositions, is provided with sockets in the housing, a lug mounted in each socket for reciprocal rotational movement between such dispositions, the actuator having first reaction surfaces engaging the lugs to prevent them from being rotated under load, and a seat for each lug forming a part of the socket structure and providing a second reaction surface for transferring to the housing load forces exerted on the lug by the member.

Abstract: This invention is in an arrangement to facilitate the transporting of a prefabricated concrete component. The concrete component is provided with a wire rope-type anchoring element having an exposed loop situated within a hemispherical recess in the surface of the concrete component. A hook-like component is provided which is made of cast steel having a plate-like shape with a lifting hole at one end and a hook element at the other end. The hook part has a substantially spherical outer configuration and an inner bearing surface curved to receive the loop. A movable safety stud is provided over the opening of the hook to prevent inadvertent release of the hook from the wire loop. In this arrangement, the plane of the hook component is angled relative to a vertical axis through the wire loop element so that the upper eyelet part is effectively displaced from the hook entrance portion.

Abstract: A flared tube sitting on a base is embedded in a concrete slab, and a casement on a shackle can be inserted into the tube to make up the coupling. The casement holds a plunger which can be locked into a position in which its head urges balls out of the casement for engagement with the flare tube. The plunger lock includes a fork locking the casement to the plunger at the other end. The plunger head has a conical tip so that upon retraction the balls can be retracted to release the coupling or to insert the casement to make up the coupling. The flared tube is clamped down onto the base which in turn is constructed for fastening to re-bar structure in the concrete.

Abstract: An improved anchor insert adapted to be embedded in a concrete slab for cooperation with a pick-up unit which includes a locking stem having a pair of lift shoulders extending from opposite sides of the stem, comprises a concrete-excluding hollow cage adapted to be emplaced within a form for a concrete slab for insertion of the locking stem and lift shoulders into the cage after pouring the slab, the cage including a pair of spaced apart shoulders on opposite sides of and spaced from the base of the cage, the shoulders being adapted for interengagement with the lift shoulders and also with a pair of anchor rod sections, and a pair of spaced apart anchor rod sections in such engagement, wherein the locking stem of a pick-up unit may be inserted in the cage and rotated for bringing the lift shoulders into lifting engagement with the cage shoulders, and a lifting force when imparted to the locking stem is transmitted to the anchor rod sections for lifting a slab in which the insert is embedded.

Abstract: Anchor element for the tilt-up and transport of prefabricated building components, particularly prefabricated wall panels, in cooperation with a hoisting shackle of the type having a torus-shaped body and a retractable arcuate locking bolt engaging a bolt hole in the exposed end portion of the anchor element, the latter defining a bridge portion between its bolt hole and its outer extremity and, as part of the bridge portion, one or two integral longitudinal extensions of the anchor element which reach beyond the bridge portion and have two oppositely oriented force-transmitting surfaces one of which engages a surface of the hoisting shackle body during tilt-up, thereby preventing pivoting of the shackle body against the concrete recess which surrounds the exposed portion of the anchor element. The anchor element with two laterally spaced integral extensions engages the sides of the shackle body, and the anchor element with a central integral extension engages an aperture in the shackle body.

Abstract: A pickup bolt is embedded in a concrete body with its head spaced from the surface of this body. A pickup member is pivotal on a shackle hung from a crane cable or the like and has a generally radially extending actuation arm and an angularly elongated and outwardly open pickup slot lying generally in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. This slot has a relatively wide end permitting radial passage of the bolt head into and out of the interior of the pickup member and an angularly opposite relatively narrow end which is insufficiently wide to permit passage of the head out of the body. Thus the pickup member can be positioned over the head with its wide end and then swung angularly through a distance equal to the length of the slot to lock this pickup member on the bolt. A secantally displaceable locking bolt may be provided in the pickup member to prevent passage of the head of the pickup bolt along the passage toward the wide end.

Abstract: A concrete slab or panel poured in its horizontal position is fitted with anchor inserts embedded in the concrete that receive releasable pickup units or devices for connection of the panel to a hoist. Each insert has a tubular member of a relatively short length to which a hollow plastic mold is attached that extends into the panel. The mold for the most part remains in the panel and forms a cavity into which part of the pickup device extends. The pickup device has a trunion plate that is placed across the insert opening in the panel. A housing extends through a hole in the trunnion plate into the insert and defines an internal cavity disposed inwardly of the insert. A bore communicates an end of the housing outside the panel with the housing cavity. An axially movable actuator rod or plunger is disposed in the bore and includes a head disposed in the cavity and formed of contiguous cylindrical and conical portions.

Abstract: Pockets, defined by molded plastic shells, are embedded in a massive concrete article. Lifting cables have rods to fit into the pockets. The shells which define these pockets are injection-molded to provide a lateral spline to pass a key formed on the lifting rod, and also have a parti-cylindrical end housing, closed by a snap-fitted cover plate, within which housing the key rotates to lock the rod in the socket when lift is applied to the rod.

Abstract: A mandrel is provided with a lifting eye at its upper end for coupling to a hoist and diametrically opposite extending lifting lugs at its lower end. A socket member having a diametrically elongated bore passing completely through the socket member is arranged to be secured in the top surface of a weight to be lifted with the top surface of the socket flush with the top surface of the weight. The socket includes a transverse channel on its bottom end extending at right angles to the diametric elongation of the socket bore. The mandrel can be lowered through the bore with the lugs passing through the diametrically opposite elongated portions and thence rotated 90.degree. after the lugs clear the bottom of the socket, the lugs then being received in the transverse channel. Springs serve to bias the mandrel and lugs upwardly relative to the socket to assure proper seating.

Abstract: A fastening device for connecting a tension member to an object, whereby a force can be applied to the object in any direction within a hemisphere centered about the point of attachment to the surface of the object. The swivel shackle comprises a shoulder bolt which is adapted to be attached to the object and has a cylindrical portion of larger diameter than the base portion which is attached to the object, as by threads. A unitary load ring comprises a body portion having a circular bored opening adapted to rotate on the cylindrical portion on the bolt. The load ring has two oppositely directed shafts extending from the body portion. A Y-shaped pivot assembly is provided which has an opening in each of the arms of the Y, which are adapted to fit over and rotate about the shaft extension on the load ring. The leg of the Y has an opening, to which a shackle can be attached, by passing the pin of the shackle through the opening in the leg of the Y.

Abstract: A socket cavity formed in a concrete slab of the type poured horizontally and subsequently tilted up, which cavity affords engagement of hoisting equipment to the slab. The inner portion of the cavity is in the form of a frusto-conical wall surface communicating with the surface of the cavity through a cylindrical bore concentric with the frusto-conical surface. The cavity is formed by placing in the slab form an expendable flask-like hollow article formed of synthetic resin or the like which is left in the slab after erection thereof. Engaging apparatus cooperable with the cavity which has on the inner end thereof arms that are pivotally moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the arms engaging the frusto-conical wall of the cavity when in the extended position.

Abstract: An improved anchor insert adapted to be embedded in a concrete slab for cooperation with a pick-up unit which includes a locking stem having a pair of lift shoulders extending from opposite sides of the stem, comprises a concrete-excluding cage having a hollow body and a base closing the lower end of the body, a first pair of spaced apart anchor rod sections intersecting the body for the application of a lifting force thereto by the lift shoulders inserted in the cage, a second pair of spaced apart anchor rod sections extending transversely of the first pair of anchor rod sections and fixedly secured thereto on opposite sides of the cage body, a pair of foot members disposed beneath each anchor rod section of the second pair, the anchor rod sections of the second pair being seated thereon, the foot members in each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the cage and spaced outwardly therefrom, and the foot members being adapted to seat on the floor of a slab form to space the anchor rod sections of both pair

Abstract: A lifting anchor for incorporation into a poured concrete slab. The anchor comprises a steel sleeve having an irregular exterior surface to effect a bond between the sleeve and the concrete of the slab and an interior surface defining a cylindrical opening formed with an annular abutment. During pouring, concrete is excluded from the interior of the sleeve opening by a plastic cap clipped onto the exterior of the bottom end of the sleeve and a plastic plug telescoped into the upper end of the sleeve. After formation of a slab with the anchor in place, the plug is removable to afford access to the interior of the sleeve.A hoisting coupling is engagable with the anchor through means of a cylindrical body sized for entry into the sleeve. The inner end of the body is provided with a pair of lugs which can be extended radially outward to engage the abutment of the sleeve and contracted radially inward to afford removal of the body from the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved deck structure and connector for construction of demountable structures such as a parking building as well as permanent structures such as a high rise office or apartment building, comprising connectors spaced along the edges of a concrete slab for attaching the slab to an underlying beam. Each connector includes an upright bushing embedded in the slab for receiving a removable lifting bolt which expands to engage the inside walls of the bushing to lift the slab into location on the beam. The portion of the bushing engaged by the expandable lifting bolt is preferably tapered upwardly between a horizontal mounting plate which rests on top of the beam and an anchor rod extending laterally from the bushing into the slab. The lifting bolt can be released and removed allowing same bushing to receive a fastener bolt. An alternative embodiment provides a downward vertical flange on the connector for welding to an edge of the beam.

Abstract: A socket cavity formed in a concrete slab of the type poured horizontally and subsequently tilted up, which cavity affords engagement of hoisting equipment to the slab. The inner portion of the cavity is in the form of a frusto-conical wall surface communicating with the surface of the cavity through a cylindrical bore concentric with the frusto-conical surface. The cavity is formed by placing in the slab form an expendable flask-like hollow article formed of synthetic resin or the like which is left in the slab after erection thereof. Engaging apparatus cooperable with the cavity which has on the inner end thereof arms that are pivotally moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the arms engaging the frustoconical wall of the cavity when in the extended position.