Rigging tree

Abstract

The invention relates to a support structure for storing rigging devices. The support structure comprises a base portion that is mechanically associated with an extension member that extends perpendicularly away therefrom to a distal end. The distal end defines an extension interface configured for being mechanically associated with a rigging cradle. The rigging cradle is configured for receiving rigging items (chains, ropes, slings, wire rope and similar equipment) used to hoist another object. The rigging cradle supports the rigging item so that a lifting hook can be used to lift and remove the rigging item from the rigging cradle while the rigging item is associated with said rigging cradle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored, said support structure comprising:
 a base portion defining a bottom portion wherein said base portion is configured for to be supported by a support surface;   an extension member mechanically associated with said bottom portion and extending perpendicularly away from said bottom portion to an extension member distal end wherein said distal end defines an extension interface; and   at least one rigging cradle mechanically associated with said extension interface wherein said rigging cradle defines a plurality of rigging receivers each configured for receiving a rigging item comprising a hoist element so that said hoist element may be engaged by a lifting device while said rigging item associated with said rigging receiver.   
     
     
         2 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 1 , further comprising an extension accessory that is one of (a) mechanically associated with said extension interface, (b) defined by said rigging cradle, and (c) mechanically associated width said rigging cradle. 
     
     
         3 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 2 , wherein said extension accessory is at least one of (a) ring element defining a hoist point, (b) a hook, and (c) an electronic module wherein said electronic module is configured to provide at least on of location data, rigging item data, support capacity data, visual data, sound data, a transmitted data signal. 
     
     
         4 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one rigging cradle defines comprises four mountable rigging cradles each defining one rigging receiver disposed 90 degrees apart around the perimeter of said distal end. 
     
     
         5 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom portion defines at least one of (a) a continuous surface defining a plurality of holes, (b) a solid continuous surface, and (c) cross members. 
     
     
         6 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 5 , wherein said extension member is mechanically associated with said bottom portion at the approximate center of said bottom portion. 
     
     
         7 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 6 , wherein said base portion defines an outer wall element associated with said bottom portion and extending away from said bottom portion to a predefined point thereby defining an outer wall height and wherein said outer wall element extends at least partially around said extension element. 
     
     
         8 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 7 , wherein said base portion further defines a plurality inner wall elements each defining four edges wherein a first edge of each wall element is associated with the side of said outer wall element, a second side is associated with the base portion and a third side is mechanically associated with said extension member thereby defining a plurality of storage areas. 
     
     
         9 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 8 , wherein the number of storage areas is equal to the number of rigging receivers. 
     
     
         10 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of rigging receivers extend away from said extension element to a point above the approximate center of a storage area. 
     
     
         11 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 8 , wherein said bottom portion defines a continuous surface with a perimeter defining bp-polygonal shape and wherein said outer wall element runs along and extends perpendicularly away from said bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 11 , wherein said bp-polygonal shape defines an octagon and wherein said outer wall element comprises eight outer wall segments mechanically associated together so that the perimeter so that the perimeter defined by said outer wall element defines an octagon similar said bp-polygonal shape. 
     
     
         13 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 9 , wherein said inner wall elements height is one of equal to and less than the height of said outer wall elements. 
     
     
         14 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 5 , further defining at least one base lifting interface wherein said base lifting interface comprises one of (a) bottom elements mechanically associated with one of said base portion, (b) outer wall extensions, (c) inner wall extensions, and (c) lift ports wherein said lifting interface is suitably configured for receiving the lifting elements of a lifting device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a mountable rigging cradle, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flat plate of a formable material;   cutting said flat plate to defined the perimeter outline of a rigging cradle plate;   defining bend points along said rigging cradle plate;   bending said rigging cradle plate at said bend points to define a mountable rigging cradle wherein said mountable rigging cradle defines a mounting interface comprising a plurality of mounting points.   
     
     
         16 . A method of making a mountable rigging cradle as in  claim 15 , wherein said rigging cradle plate defines a plate center and wherein said bend points are disposed symmetrically from said plate center. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making a mountable rigging cradle as in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of cutting said rigging cradle along said plate center thereby defining a cut point and further defining two symmetric halves before bending said bend points. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making a mountable rigging cradle as in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of bending said bend points and then mechanically associating the two halves back together along said cut. 
     
     
         19 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored, said support structure comprising:
 a base portion defining a bottom portion wherein said base portion is configured for to be supported by a support surface and wherein said bottom portion defines at least one of (a) a continuous surface defining a plurality of holes, (b) a solid continuous surface, and (c) cross members;   an extension member mechanically associated with said bottom portion at the approximate center point of said bottom portion wherein said extension member extends perpendicularly away from said bottom portion to an extension member distal end wherein said distal end defines an extension interface; and   at least one of (a) one rigging cradle mechanically associated with said extension interface wherein said rigging cradle defines a plurality of rigging receivers and (b) a plurality of rigging cradles each defining one rigging receiver and wherein said rigging receivers are each configured for receiving a rigging item comprising a hoist element so that said hoist element may be engaged by a lifting device while said rigging item is associated with one of said rigging receivers.   
     
     
         20 . A support structure for supporting rigging devices to be stored as in  claim 19 , further comprising an extension accessory that is one of (a) mechanically associated with said extension interface, (b) defined by said rigging cradle, and (c) mechanically associated width said rigging cradle and wherein:
 said extension accessory is at least one of (a) ring element defining a hoist point, (b) a hook, and (c) an electronic module wherein said electronic module is configured to provide at least on of location data, rigging item data, support capacity data, visual data, sound data, a transmitted data signal;   wherein said at least one rigging cradle defines four mountable rigging cradles each defining one rigging receiver and wherein said rigging receivers are disposed 90 degrees apart around the perimeter of said distal end.