US1994520A - Guy anchor - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 1935.

G. M D- JOHNS ET AL GUY ANCHOR Filed Feb. 6, 193

2; QAAKAW' 7 JMI Patented Mar. 19, 1935 UNITED. stares 1,994,520 7 I GUY ANCHOR.

George McDIJohn-s, Sappington, and Edsel Karl Smith and Thomas T. Richards, St. Louis, Mo.,

assignors to Smithjohns, inc St. Louis, Mo., a

corporation of Missouri K Application February 6, 1933, Serial No. 655,328 7 18 Claims. (oi. 189-92) This invention pertains toguy anchors such as are used in electricaltransmission lines for anchoring pole guys and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a guy anchor which may be placed in the ground by means of simple and convenient-ma nipulation. V

Another object is to provide such an anchor which shall be strong and of simple construction.

Another object is to provide such an anchor which shall be cheap to manufacture and simple to assemble. 7

Another object is to provide. such an anchor of .the exp'ansible type which may be expanded by'simple operations and which may be securelylocked in any expanded position.

Further. objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of-an anchor embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a base portion of the anchor; J v

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the head;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pivot re-' taining ring or bracket for the operating pawls;

Figure 6 is a perspective detail ofa pawl; and Figure '7 is a detail section on line 7'7- of FigureZ;

i Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a base on which the other parts of the anchor may be assembled. This base has an upstanding shank 2 at .the center thereof which is provided with an axial bore, a part of which may be threaded as indicated at 3, to receive the correspondingly,

threaded anchor rods. The lower portion of the shank 2 adjacent the base 1 has a cylindrical outer surface while the upper portion 5 is angular in form, this form'being hexagonal in the embodiment illustrated; The end of the shank is equipped with a six sided flange 6v alternate sides of which project further than the others. The base 1 is generally disk-shaped and may be reenforcecl on its underside by suitable webs '7. At suitable points on the periphery of the disk, radial guide slots 8 are provided. In the embodiment illustrated, the anchor is arranged for three expansive anchor plates. Accordingly three guide slots 8 are provided at uniform intervalsabout the circumference of :the base. The guide slots 8 are formed in lugs placed at different eleva-. tions so that each may accommodate one of a. set of superimposed plates.

The anchorplates 15 are also generally of disk: shape, but have their circumferences notched or recessed as indicated at'9, for a purpose which willflpresently appear. Each disk is provided withv a radial slot 10, adapted to fit over the shank 2 of the base and to'act as'a guide slot for radial movement of the plate on the base. Ra-

'dialiy arranged on the opposite side of the disk.

from the guide slot 10 is a series of ratchet teeth 11. The outer edge 12 of each plate may be sharpened so as to facilitate its penetration into the ground when expanding. Each plate is pro.- vided on'the under surface thereof with a radial rib 13 adapted to engage one of the guide 8191's 8, This rib engaging the slot 8 and the slot 10. engaging the shank 2, form the guides for the plate 15 in its radial expanding movement.

The three plates 15 are placed upon the base 1 in superimposed relation so that one lies upon another and with their axes of movement in differentdirections uniformly spaced from one another. Each slot 10 is provided near one end with a notch 14 enlarging the slot slightly at this point. The purpose of this notch is so that in mounting the plate on the shank 2,,one of the projecting sides of the six-sided flange 6 may be passed through the notch as the slot 10 would not otherwise be wide enough to permit this flange to pass. As each plate is placed on the base it must be turned so that its slot 10 is alined with a'transverse lug 16 formed on the shank 2. This lug is placed at an elevation above the base 1 just sufiicient to accommodate the three plates stacked one upon the other. Each plate must be turned out of its normal position in order to aline its slot with this lug. Accordingly when the plate has been passed over the lug and'down upon the base or on the next plate below; it is turned to its normal'position and this movement turns the slot 10 out of alinement with the lug 16. This lug, therefore, provides a locking element to keep the plates in position on the base 1.

,Arranged'to fit over vtheshank 2 is a hollow cylindrical head 17, shown in perspective in Figure 4. This head has abore'of variable shape and diameter; The lower portion, 18. of this bore is'generally sixesided in shape to match the shape of the flange 6, Above the portion 18 is a portion 19 which is generally cylindrical in form andof a diameter sufficient-to accommodate the pro jecting face of the flange .6. It will be seen that by this arrangement, the head may be passed over the flange 6 and then rotated through an anglev of about to cause the projecting sides. of the flange 6 to lodge upon the shoulders .20

formed by the angular faces of the portion at different elevations on the head,'such vdiiierspring.

ences corresponding to the diiierence in elevation of the, different plates Just below each of the lugs 23 a flat 24 is formed on the head. This gives the lower portion of thehead'a gen erally triangular shape. Loosely fitted on this angular portion of the head is a bearing ring or bracket-25, shown inperspective in Figure 5. This ring is provided with bearing lugs 26 spaced at different elevations to correspond with the elevations of the lugs 23. The ring 25 is assembled on the head in such a way that each pair of lugs 26 matches one of the lugs 23 to provide a pivot bearing for the T-head '27 of a toggle or pawl 28. The body of the pawl 28 fits between the lugs 26 while the T-head rests thereon and below the lug 23 as will be clear from Figure 2.

t The pawls 28, of which there are three in number to correspond with the three plates, are each provided with an abutment 29 extending outwardly from the T-head 27 in a position to be engaged by the lug 23 in such a manner as to force the outer end of the pawl 28 downwardly against the anchor plate. The lower end of the pawl 23 is provided with a sharpened tip adapted to engage in the ratchet teeth 11. Just above this sharpened tip, an outwardly extending lug 30 is formed on the pawl, the purpose of which will presently be explained. Above the lug 30 is a secondlug forming therebetween a notch 31. Mounted between the uppermost plate 15 and the lower surface of the ring 25 is a spring 32. This spring is preferably large enough in diameterto'fit over the ends of the lug 16 to be centered thereby- The lower surface of the ring 25 may also be provided with a suitable seat for this In assembling this anchor, the plates are first fitted over' the shank 2, passing the flange 6 through the notch 14, then turning the plate to bring the slot 10 into alinement with the lug 16 and after passing said lug to turn the plate was to fit its rib 13 into the appropriate guide slot 8. The three plates are assembled in succession in this manner, each one resting upon the one below it with'its'recess 9 exposing the ratchet teeth of the latter. The. spring 32 is then placed over the lug 16 to restupon the uppermost plate. The ring 25 is now placed upon the spring and the head 1'7 inserted in the ring 25 with the lugs 23 matching the lugs 26 in proper order. 'In so doing,'the six-sided part of the flange 6 passes into thev six-sided portion 18 of the bore of the, head When these parts have thus been assem bled and downward pressure is applied to the head so as to compress the spring 32 until the shoulder 20 passes below-the hexagonal flange 6 whereupon the head is rotated so as to bring the projecting sides of the flange 6 over the shoulder 20 and, upon retraction of the head 17 said head is locked on the shank. In this position the pivot be'arings'23-'--26 are brought into'radial alinementwith' the ratchet teeth 11 of the different plates. By compressing the spring 32 'so as to separate the lugs. 23 and 26 the pivot heads27 of the pawls 28 may be inserted in said pivot bearings and when the spring 32 is released they will be held in their bearings. The abutment 29 engaging the lug 23 forces each pawl downwardly so that its tip engages the teeth 11. The rod 4 may now be inserted in' the thread 3, anut 33,

having first been screwed up to the end of the thread thereon. The rod is screwed in far enough to bringthe nut 33 into engagement with the flange 21 but notsufiicient to cause downward movement of the head 17 which leaves a proper clearance to permit downward movement of the head'17 during the expanding operation. 'It will be seen that the entire assembling operation, is effected without the use of tools or separate fasteners, the parts being locked together by the peculiarities of their own particular shapes.

The spring 32 provides for maintaining all the parts locked in a'ssembled'relation. Moreover,

the pressure of this spring keeps the plates in frictional engagement with one another and with the base so that'the plates are retained against movement until'positively expanded by proper operation of the mechanism. With the device thus assembled andall the plates in their. contracted position, as shown in Figure 2, the. anchor may now be inserted in the hole drilled in the ground for that purpose. This hole is ordinarily of a diameter just sufiicient to accommodate the anchor in its contracted'forin. After the anchor has been lowered to the hole a suitable impact tool, preferably one formedto' fit around the rod 4 is operated to deliver a succession of blows to the rim 22 of the head. The force of each blow causes compression of the spring 32 by the lowering of the head'l'l. This movement of the head causes the pawls. 28, by their toggle action, to'force the plates. 15 radially outwardly'against and into the earth surround ing the hole. Between blows when the pressure is released, the spring32 forces the, head 17v upwardly and thereby retractsthe pawls 28, whose lower tips drag inwardly over the teeth 11 to engage a new tooth further inward than the one just engaged-the plates 15 being'frictionallyheld stationary during the retracting movement. It will benoted that the teeth 11 are arcuate in form so as to allow a certain variance in the an.- gular positions of the pawls. Thus by, delivering successive blowsto the head,.the pawls are caused to exert a feeding action so as to'successively engage different teeth 11 and work the plates outwardly to cause the same to penetrate the earth surrounding the hole. have been fully expanded, the stem 4' may be screwed down so as to cause the nut 33 to force the head 17 downwardly, compressing the spring and forcing the pawls 28 outwardly against the teeth 11 and when screwedidown to its fullest When the plates extent the rod thus locks the entire mechanism in expanded position. The hole may now, be filled and the anchor is ready for use. 1

Under some circumstances difierences in the hardness of the earth encountered by'the different plates or in case certain plates should encounter. rock formations, there is enough flexibility in the entire structure to permit the action of the pawls 28, even though one or more, of the plates may be blocked from further movement.- In case some of the platesshould feed 'fasterthan others at the limit of movementof the plate the pawl drops inside of the lasttooth .llwiththe lug 30 resting on said tooth; TThisTlug is. long,

enough. horizontally to accommodate a back and forth movement sufiicient. to permit the other pawls to continueworking'until each has moved its plate out to its fullest extent. The notch 31 is provided so that the device may be locked for handling or shipment in its contracted position by wrapping a wire about the three pawls and resting in' the notches 31 to bind the three pawls together against feeding movement. The plate and'the base may also be provided with. alined holes 34 through which wires or other binding devices may be passed for'the same purpose.

In places where it may be diificult to expand the anchor by impact on the head, the expansion may be accomplished by repeatedly screwing down then-0d 4'so as to'causethe nut 33 to depress the head 17 and expand the plates, and then screwing back the rod 4 .to release the head and permit the spring 32 to retract the pawls.

It willbe seen that this invention provides a guy anchor of simple and rugged construction and one which is very effective in use. The parts may all be made by casting withoutany machine operation exceptthe cutting. 'of-the threads The parts are assembled without extra fastenings and when assembled are securely but yieldingly maintained locked in assembled relation. The design is such that the action in expanding the plates is positive and certain and capable of the application of great power to force the plates upwardly. When expanded the anchor has nearly twice the diameterthat it has in contracted form so that secure purchase on the ground is assured.

While this device has been described as a unitary instrument, it will be understood, of course, that individual features and sub-combinations thereof may be useful by themselves without reference to other features or to the complete combination. It is understood, therefore, that the employment of such individual features or subcombinations is contemplated by this invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

It is obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, inthe details of construction without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the specific details shown and/0r described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls engaging said head and engageable with said teeth to expand said plates, and means for automatically retracting said pawls.

2. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls pivoted on said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on said head will operate to expand said plates, and means for automatically retracting said pawls along said teeth.

3. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth onsaid plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls pivoted on said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on said spring means adapted to retract said pawls when said head is released.

4. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of..anchor plates expandibly movable onsaid basegratchet teeth on said plates, a stem. upstanding .from said base, a head 'movable on said stem, pawls engaging said head and engageable with saiditeethto expand said plates, means for automatically retracting said pawls along -said teeth,. and means forgpermanently locking said pawls to hold said platesin expanded position.

5.:A. guyanchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stemupstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls engaging said head and engageable with saidte'eth to expand said plates, means for automatically retracting said pawls. along said teeth, andmeans for permanently locking said head adapted to lock said pawls to hold said plates rality of. anchor plates assembled in superimposed relation for expandible movement on said base, operating'means for expanding said plates loosely-assembled on said base and engageable withsaid plates,.and yielding means effective to maintain all said parts in permanently assembled.

relation while permitting expansion of said plates.

'7; A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates. assembled in superimposed'relation for expandible movement on said base, operating means for expanding said plates loosely assembled on said base and engageable with said plates, all said. parts being loosely assembled in interlocking relation with each other, and a single spring adapted to maintain all said parts interlocked in assembled relation.

8. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls pivoted on said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on said head will operate to expand said plates, means adapted to retract said pawls along said teeth, and means adapted to forcibly maintain said pawls in engagement with said teeth.

9. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls pivoted from said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on said head will operate'to expand said plates, means adapted to retract said pawls along said teeth, and means on said pawls receiving the impact adapted to force said pawls into engagement with said teeth.

10. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said stem, pawls engaging said head and engagable with said teeth to expandsaid plates, an anchor rod threaded into said base and having means engageable with said head whereby the latter may be depressed by screwing in said rod, and means for automatically retracting said pawls upon release of said head.

head .will operate to expand said plates, and

,rality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet teethon said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head'movable on said stem, pawls pivoted on said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on saidshead willoperate to expand said-plates, and-spring means adapted to maintain said pawls *inengagement with said plates and to retract said pawls when said head is released.

12.;A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates. expandibly movable on said base, ratchetteeth on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, .a head movable on said stem, pawls pivoted on said head and engageable with said teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates whereby impact on said head will operate to expand said plates, and spring means adapted to maintain said plates frictionally against movement and to retract said pawls when said head is released.

13. A guy anchor, comprising, a base, a plurality of anchor plates expandibly' movable .on said base, ratchet teethon said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, a head movable on said st'em, pawls pivoted on said head and en'- gageable with said;teeth providing toggle elements between said head and said plates wherebyimpact-on said head will operate to expand said plates, an anchor rod threaded'into said base andvhaving means engageable with said head whereby-the latter may be depressed by screwing in said rod, and meansfor automatically retracting said pawls upon release of said head.

14. In an anchor of the character described, an operating head having a pivot seat, a pivot ring loosely-mounted on said head and having a pivot its seat.

15. A guy anchor, comprising, abase, a m:

rality of anchor plates expandibly movable on said base, ratchet-teeth'on said zplates, a stem- I upstanding from said base, a head movable :on

said stem, pawls engaging-said head and engage able with said teeth to expand said plates, means for automatically retracting said pawls, and astener receivingmeanson said pawls adapted to retain binding means for securingsaid pawls'for carriage.

rality of anchor platessuperimposed for expan'a sible movement on said: base, expanding means on said plates, a stem upstanding from said base, an expanding'head movable on-said stem-pawls arranged above said plates adapted to, engage" said expanding means, and pawl seats arranged V at difierentlevels on said head. 17. In a guy anchor of the character described,

'an expanding head having a plurality of pawl seats at different'levels thereon. a 18. In a pawl-operated guy anchor ofi'the char,-

acter described,an expanding head having a plu= 1 V rality of pawl seats at different levels thereon, and a pawl-retaining member mountable on said'hea'd and having pawl seats thereon at diiferen'tylevels corresponding with and iadapted'to'be opposed to said pawl seats'on said head.

GEORGE 'McD. JoHNsQ EDSEL KARL SMITH;

THOMAS T. 'RICHARDS. j

, '5 16. A guy anchor, comprising, a base,'a plu-'

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