Expansible hole anchor

Abstract

An expansible anchor is adapted for inserting into a hole formed with a structure. The anchor includes a load cable and a center chock attached to an end of the load cable. At least one side chock resides adjacent to the center chock, and is adapted for movement between an anchor-contracting position and an anchor-expanding position. In the anchor-contracting position, the anchor is readily inserted into and removed from the hole of the structure. In the anchor-expanding position, the anchor is locked inside the hole of the structure. A chock-release column bears against the center chock or may bear against the at least one side chock. The chock release column is in a fixed relation to the center chock via a fastener and has an enlarged head adapted for locating outside of the hole. The enlarged head defines a striking surface adapted for receiving a sudden force. This force is transferred through the chock-release column to the center chock and the at least one side chock, such that the at least one side chock is movable from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position to thereby dislodge the anchor from the hole of the structure.

1 . An expansible anchor adapted for inserting into a hole formed with a structure, said anchor comprising:
 a load cable;   a center chock attached to an end of said load cable;   at least one side chock adjacent to said center chock and adapted for movement between an anchor-contracting position and an anchor-expanding position, whereby in said anchor-contracting position, said anchor is readily inserted into and removed from the hole of the structure, and in said anchor-expanding position, said anchor is locked inside the hole of the structure;   and a chock release column fastened to and bearing against at least one of said center chock or the at least one side chock by a fastener; and   wherein said chock release column comprises an enlarged head adapted for locating outside of the hole, said enlarged head defining a surface adapted for receiving a force and transferring the force through said chock-release column to said center chock or at least one side chock, such that said at least one side chock is movable from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position to thereby dislodge said anchor from the hole of the structure.   
   
   
       2 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , and comprising a handle carried by said load cable and adapted for moving said at least one side chock from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position. 
   
   
       3 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 2 , and comprising a chock cable interconnecting said handle and said at least one side chock. 
   
   
       4 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein said handle comprises a rocker assembly allowing kink-controlling movement of said chock cable relative to said load cable. 
   
   
       5 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said chock release column further comprises a cable guide defining a contoured opening receiving said load cable and said chock cable. 
   
   
       6 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a swage, a glue, a pin, a plurality of pins and a plurality of plates. 
   
   
       7 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one side chock defines a generally convex inner surface adapted for sliding movement against an inner surface of said center chock. 
   
   
       8 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said center chock comprises a bearing shoulder against which said chock release column is forced. 
   
   
       9 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 8 , wherein said center chock further comprises an integrally formed cable connector secured to said load cable, and extending through a hollow end of said chock release column. 
   
   
       10 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said the fastener extends through the chock release column and into a portion of the center chock. 
   
   
       11 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said the fastener extends through the chock release column, the center chock and the load cable. 
   
   
       12 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said the fastener comprises a first fastener which extends through a first half of the chock release column and into the center chock and a second fastener which extends through an opposed half of the chock release column and into the center chock. 
   
   
       13 . An expansible anchor adapted for inserting into a hole formed with a structure, said anchor comprising:
 a load cable;   a center chock attached to an end of said load cable, said center chock comprises a tapered portion, a shaft, and an enlarged head; and   at least one side chock adjacent to said center chock and adapted for movement between an anchor-contracting position and an anchor-expanding position, whereby in said anchor-contracting position, said anchor is readily inserted into and removed from the hole of the structure, and in said anchor-expanding position, said anchor is locked inside the hole of the structure.   
   
   
       14 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one cable guide fitted about the shaft. 
   
   
       15 . An expansible anchor adapted, comprising:
 a load cable;   a center chock attached to an end of said load cable;   at least one side chock adjacent to said center chock and adapted for movement between an anchor-contracting position and an anchor-expanding position;   and a chock release column fastened to the load cable by a fastener and abutting said center chock; and   wherein said chock release column comprises an enlarged head adapted for locating outside of a hole, said enlarged head defining a surface adapted for receiving a force and transferring the force through said chock-release column to said center chock or said at least one side chock such that said at least one side chock is movable from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position to thereby dislodge said anchor from the hole of the structure.   
   
   
       16 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 15 , and comprising a handle carried by said load cable and adapted for moving said at least one side chock from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position. 
   
   
       17 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 16 , and comprising a chock cable interconnecting said handle and said at least one side chock. 
   
   
       18 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 15 , wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a swage, a glue, a pin, a plate, a tube, a plurality of pins and a plurality of plates. 
   
   
       19 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said the fastener comprises a first fastener which extends through a first half of the chock release column and the center chock and into a portion of the load cable and a second fastener which extends through an opposed half of the chock release column and the center chock and into a portion of the load cable. 
   
   
       20 . An expansible anchor according to  claim 15 , wherein the fastener substantially extends through the chock release column, the center chock and the load cable.