U-bolt assembly
OwnerJames Hudson, III, Tom B. Shackelfordinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A u-bolt assembly is provided. The u-bolt assembly includes opposing legs connected together by a connector portion. The connector portion has an interior surface. The interior surface has a plurality of surface structures. The surface structures are configured to engage and grip surfaces in contact with the connector portion. A cross member is configured to slidably engage the legs of the u-bolt. A plurality of fasteners is configured to engage the legs of the u-bolt such as to urge the cross member in a direction toward the connector portion of the u-bolt.
Claims20
A u-bolt assembly comprising:
- a u-bolt having opposing legs connected together by a connector portion, the connector portion having an interior surface, the interior surface having a plurality of surface structures, the surface structures configured to engage and grip surfaces in contact with the connector portion,
- a cross member configured to slidably engage the legs of the u-bolt, and
- a plurality of fasteners configured to engage the legs of the u-bolt such as to urge the cross member in a direction toward the connector portion of the u-bolt.
A u-bolt comprising:
- a plurality of opposing legs, each having a threaded end;
- and
- a connector portion configured to connect the opposing legs, the connector portion having an interior surface, the interior surface having a plurality of surface structures, the surface structures configured to engage and grip surfaces in contact with the connector portion.
A method of forming a u-bolt comprising the steps of:
- positioning a u-bolt blank in an apparatus such that opposing ends of the u-bolt blank are supported and a center portion of the u-bolt blank is unsupported;
- contacting the unsupported portion of the u-bolt blank with a hammer such that the unsupported center portion is forced in a first direction, the hammer having a textured circumferential segment;
- forming surface structures on the unsupported center portion with the textured circumferential segment of the hammer;
- restraining substantial movement of the u-bolt blank in an “X” direction using the surface structures;
- and
- allowing the plurality of opposing legs to rotate in a direction opposite the first direction thereby forming the opposing legs, the opposing legs have substantially equal lengths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.