Starting platform wedge anchor assembly

• US 8,033,077 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S.R. Smith LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: S.R. Smith LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Inventors: Svendsen, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): LILLIS, EILEEN DUNN
• Application Number:
  US12/467,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20090308018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 521/691.3, 521/70, 522/98, 527/04, 527/06, 248/188, 248/188.1, 248/346.01, 248/501, 248/503, 411/34, 411/44, 411/55, 411/57.1, 411/60.2, 411/385, 403/300, 403/308, 403/314, 403/374.4
• US Class Current: 52/706
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/203 Diving
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/10 for aquatic sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/12 Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2269 in a socket
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/14 Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/04 internal, i.e. with spreading action F16B2/14 - F16B2/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7069 Axially oriented

Abstract

An anchor for a rectangular tube employs a wedge assembly, whereby rotation of an adjustment bolt of the wedge assembly moves an upper and lower wedge member together, and the wedge engagement with a central wedge member causes said central wedge member to move toward engagement with the tube, thereby securing the tube within a base body. Clevis pins and corresponding key hole slots mount the wedge assembly to a base, while allowing easy removal of the wedge when desired.

Claims

1. An anchor device for a starting platform, comprising:

a clamp member securing the starting platform to a base, said base having an internal cavity receiving a portion of a mounting post of said starting platform, said clamp member further having a first portion between said base and said mounting post with an exterior surface corresponding to a perimeter of said internal cavity and an interior surface corresponding to said mounting post, said first portion having a longitudinal slot receiving a clamp second portion, said second portion including an adjustment device between said base and said post adjustably clamping or unclamping said starting platform, and a biasing element including at least one wedge portion to urge a clamping force frictionally securing said mounting post to said base.

2. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment device comprises an adjustment bolt for extending or retracting a portion of said clamp member into engagement with said external surface of said mounting post of said starting platform.

3. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 2, wherein said biasing element comprises a spring member that urges a clamping portion of said clamp member away to relax clamping force in absence of being tightened down intentionally.

4. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 3, wherein said spring member is positioned about said bolt.

5. An anchor device according to claim 1, wherein said clamp member further comprises a polymer member adapted for contact with a portion of the external face portion of said mounting post.

17. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 1, wherein said mounting post is substantially square shaped in cross section.

18. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 17, wherein said internal cavity is of dimension for corresponding engagement of three sides of said mounting post.

19. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 18, wherein said clamp member engages said starting post at a fourth side thereof.

6. An anchor device, comprising:

a base member defining a receiving cavity portion for receiving a mounting post by vertical lowering of a portion of said mounting post therein, said cavity defined by a boundary surrounding a portion of the mounting post lowered into the receiving cavity portion;

a clamp member securing a portion of the mounting post to said base, said clamp member further having a first portion between said base and said mounting post with an exterior surface corresponding to said boundary and an interior surface corresponding to said mounting post, said first portion having a longitudinal slot receiving a clamp second portion, said second portion including an adjustment device between said base and said mounting post adjustably clamping or unclamping said mounting post, and a biasing element including at least one wedge portion to urge a clamping force frictionally securing said mounting post to said base.

7. The anchor device according to claim 6, wherein said mounting post is a mounting post for a swimming starting platform.

8. The anchor device according to claim 6, wherein said adjustment device comprises an adjustment bolt for extending or retracting a portion of said clamp member into engagement with said mounting post.

9. The anchor device according to claim 8, wherein said mounting post is a mounting post for a swimming starting platform.

10. The anchor device according to claim 8, wherein said spring member is positioned about said bolt.

11. The anchor device according to claim 10, wherein said mounting post is a mounting post for a swimming starting platform.

12. The anchor device according to claim 6, wherein said biasing element comprises a spring member that urges a clamping portion of said clamp member to a reduced clamping force in absence of being tightened down intentionally.

13. The anchor device according to claim 12, wherein said mounting post is a mounting post for a swimming starting platform.

14. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 6, wherein said mounting post is substantially square shaped in cross section.

15. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 14, wherein said internal cavity is of dimension for corresponding engagement of three sides of said mounting post.

16. The anchor device for a starting platform according to claim 15, wherein said clamping member engages said mounting post at a fourth side thereof.

20. An anchor device for a starting platform, comprising:

a clamp member securing the starting platform to a base, said base having an internal cavity surroundingly receiving a portion of a mounting post of the starting platform that is received into the internal cavity of said base, said clamp member for clamping engagement of at least a portion of the mounting post of the starting platform that is located within the cavity; and

said clamp member further having a first portion between said base and said mounting post with an exterior surface corresponding to a perimeter of said internal cavity and an interior surface corresponding to said mounting post, said first portion having a longitudinal slot receiving a clamp second portion, said second portion including an adjustment device between said base and said post adjustably clamping or unclamping said starting platform, and a biasing element including at least one wedge portion to urge a clamping force frictionally securing said mounting post to said base;

wherein said adjustment device further comprises an adjustment bolt for extending or retracting a portion of said clamp member into engagement with said exterior surface of said mounting post of said starting platform,

wherein said biasing element further comprises a spring member that urges a clamping portion of said clamp member away to relax clamping force in absence of being tightened down intentionally,

wherein said spring member is positioned about said bolt,

wherein said mounting post is substantially square shaped in cross section,

wherein said internal cavity is of dimension for corresponding engagement of three sides of said mounting post, and

wherein said clamping member engages said mounting post at a fourth side thereof.