U.S. patent application number 10/015763 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for anchoring device for prefabricated concrete components.
Invention is credited to Zambelli, Benito, Zambelli, Sergio.
Application Number | 20020078657 10/015763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11446297 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zambelli, Sergio ; et
al. |
June 27, 2002 |
Anchoring device for prefabricated concrete components
Abstract
An anchoring device for prefabricated concrete components
comprises an anchoring insert, for embedding in the concrete body
of a prefabricated component and has a slot in one of its portions,
a connecting element provided with a head insertable through the
slot and movable to engage or disengage the face of the anchoring
insert lying opposite with respect to the insertion face by
rotation, of the head and elements for locking rotation of the head
in the engagement condition. The locking elements allow sliding of
the connecting element, with the head engaged, along the slot with
respect to the anchoring insert.
Inventors: |
Zambelli, Sergio; (Zanica,
IT) ; Zambelli, Benito; (Zanica, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MODIANO & ASSOCIATI
Via Meravigli, 16
MILANO
20123
IT
|
Family ID: |
11446297 |
Appl. No.: |
10/015763 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/710 ; 52/707;
52/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/4107 20130101;
F16B 5/0216 20130101; F16B 37/045 20130101; E04B 1/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/710 ; 52/707;
52/713 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 21, 2000 |
IT |
MI2000A002793 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An anchoring device for prefabricated concrete components,
comprising: an anchoring insert for embedding in a concrete body of
a prefabricated component, said anchoring insert being provided
with a slot in a portion thereof, said portion having a first,
insertion face and a second, opposite face; a connecting element
provided with a head, said head being insertable through said slot
and movable to engage and respectively, disengage said second,
opposite face of said portion of the anchoring insert by rotation,
through a preset angle, of said head about an axis that is
substantially parallel to an insertion direction of the head in the
slot; locking means for locking rotation of said head about said
axis when said head is in engagement condition, said locking means
further allowing sliding of said connecting element, when said head
is in the engagement condition, along said slot with respect to
said anchoring insert.
2. The anchoring device of claim 1, wherein said connecting element
comprises a shaft extending along on axis thereof and being
provided with said head at an axial end thereof, said head, having
a hammer-like shape with two expansions that protrude laterally, on
mutually opposite sides, with respect to the axis of said shaft;
said shaft being rotatable about said axis thereof in order to move
said head from an insertion condition, in which said expansions of
the head are aligned with a longitudinal axis of said slot allowing
passage thereof through said slot, to said engagement condition, in
which said expansions are arranged transversely to the longitudinal
axis of said slot and face two regions, arranged laterally to said
slot, of the second, opposite face of said portion of the anchoring
insert.
3. The anchoring device of claim 2, wherein said shaft is threaded
externally, at least proximate to said head.
4. The anchoring device of claim 3, wherein said locking means
comprise a locking element provided so as to be insertable in said
slot and to engage said head for enabling joint rotation, about the
axis of said shaft, of said head and said anchoring insert.
5. The anchoring device of claim 4, wherein said locking element is
substantially cylindrical and is crossed axially by a through hole
in which said shaft is loosely engageable; said locking element
further comprising two flat portions for engagement of longitudinal
sides of said slot, provided on a lateral surface thereof, in two
diametrically mutually opposite regions, and an axial end for
engaging said head.
6. The anchoring device of claim 5, wherein said axial end of the
locking element has at least one wing for engaging a side of said
head of the connecting element that lie transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the slot, when said head of the connecting
element is in the engagement condition.
7. The anchoring device of claim 5, wherein said axial end of the
locking element has two wings for engaging sides of said head of
the connecting element that lie transversely to the longitudinal
axis of the slot, when said head of the connecting element is in
the engagement condition.
8. The anchoring device of claim 5, wherein said locking means
comprise a locking nut adapted for screwing onto said shaft so as
to engage a further axial end of said locking element for axial
locking thereof between said head and said locking nut.
9. The anchoring device of claim 8, wherein said locking element
has, proximate to said further axial end thereof, a collar for
resting against said insertion face of said portion of the
anchoring insert.
10. The anchoring device of claim 9, wherein when said locking
element is locked axially against said head of the connecting
element by way of said locking nut, so that a distance between a
face of said collar that engage said insertion face of the
anchoring insert and a face of said head that is directed toward
the second, opposite face of the anchoring insert, is greater than
a distance between said insertion face of the anchoring insert and
regions of the anchoring insert that lie opposite with respect to
said insertion face directed towards said head.
11. The anchoring device of claim 2, wherein said shaft is threaded
substantially along an entire extension thereof for engagement of
further connecting elements.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an anchoring device for
prefabricated concrete components, particularly for the bracing of
panels in building structures.
[0002] Anchoring devices are known which are composed of a slotted
insert to be embedded in the body of a concrete component and of a
connecting element that can engage the slotted insert and another
component to be connected to the component in which the slotted
insert is embedded.
[0003] The slotted inserts are generally constituted by a contoured
plate-like body that generally has a flat portion with a
rectangular plan shape and is crossed by an elongated slot. Such
plate-like body has, starting from the two sides of the flat
portion that are parallel to the longitudinal sides of the slot,
two wings that lie substantially perpendicular or at an angle with
respect to is the flat portion toward the face of the flat portion,
termed hereinafter "inner face" for the sake of brevity, that is
designed to be directed toward the inside of the component.
[0004] A slotted insert of this kind is disclosed for example in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,333.
[0005] Slotted inserts are usually embedded in the body of the
prefabricated concrete component so that the face of the flat
portion, termed hereinafter "outer face" for the sake of brevity,
that is arranged opposite the inner face is flush with one face of
the component.
[0006] The function of these slotted inserts is to provide
engagement points, along the extension of the prefabricated
component, for the connecting elements, generally constituted by
bolts and plates, which can engage other elements of the building
structure, usually other prefabricated concrete components.
[0007] The slotted inserts are generally also provided with a
box-like body, which is applied to the plate-like body on its side
designed to be directed toward the inside of the prefabricated
concrete component, so as to define a compartment that is protected
by the concrete of the prefabricated component. In most currently
commercially available slotted inserts, a nut is preinserted in
said compartment, rests on the inner face of the flat portion in
the regions located laterally to the longitudinal sides of the
slot, and is arranged so that its threaded hole lies at the slot.
This nut constitutes the head of the connecting element, which
generally has a threaded end that can be screwed into the nut.
[0008] In other anchoring devices, the connecting element is
constituted by a plate-like element provided with a hammer-like
head, which can be inserted lo in the slot and can engage the
slotted insert through a rotation about its own axis through
substantially 90.degree..
[0009] Anchoring devices that use a connecting element provided
with a threaded stem, to be coupled to the nut provided in the
slotted insert, suffer the drawback that correct coupling between
the stem of the connecting element and the nut arranged in the
slotted insert is entrusted entirely to the skill and care of the
operator.
[0010] Furthermore, the thread of the connecting element cannot be
used to perform connections to other elements of the building
structure by direct bolting of said threaded stem, which would also
allow to adjust the distance between the two components or elements
of the structure mutually connected by means of the anchoring
device, since the tightening of a nut on the thread of the
connecting element might cause its rotation, reducing its screwing
into the nut arranged in the slotted insert.
[0011] Anchoring devices that use a plate-like connecting element
with a hammer-like head, of the monolithic type, suffer the
drawback of having a distinctly lower resistance to stresses.
[0012] Furthermore, when using these devices with a plate-like
connecting element with a hammer-like head, it is necessary to
provide a connection, between the connecting element and the other
element or component to be connected to the one provided with said
slotted insert, which prevents any possibility of rotation of the
hammer-like head inside the slot, so as to avoid accidental
disengagement of the connecting element from the slotted insert.
For this reason, the connecting element of these devices is
generally welded to the other element of the structure to be
connected to the component provided with the slotted insert.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The aim of the present invention is to solve the
above-mentioned problems, by providing an anchoring device that
offers adequate assurances of safety as regards the steadiness of
the anchoring, regardless of the skill and care of the
installer.
[0014] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an
anchoring device that allows to adjust in a simple manner the
distance between the prefabricated components or elements of the
structure in general that are connected by means of the device.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring
device which, while ensuring the mutual connection of the elements
of the structure that it connects, allows mutual movements,
increasing the resistance of the structure to seismic
phenomena.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that
is simple to install and can be manufactured at competitive
costs.
[0017] This aim and these and other objects that will become better
apparent hereinafter are achieved by an anchoring device for
prefabricated concrete components, particularly for the bracing of
panels in building structures, comprising: an anchoring insert,
which can be embedded in the concrete body of a prefabricated
component and has a slot in one of its portions, and a connecting
element provided with a head that can be inserted through said slot
and can be moved to engage or disengage the face of said portion of
the anchoring insert that lies opposite with respect to the
insertion face by way of the rotation, through a preset angle, of
said head about an axis that is substantially parallel to the
direction of insertion of the head in the slot, characterized in
that it comprises means for locking the rotation of said head about
said axis when said head is in said engagement condition, said
locking means being further suitable to allow the sliding of said
connecting element, when said head is in the engagement condition,
along said slot with respect to said anchoring insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not
exclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention,
illustrated only by way of nonlimitative example in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a node for connection
between two components, provided by means of two anchoring devices
according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the node of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the device according to
the invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along the line
IV-IV, with the slotted insert of the device embedded in a
prefabricated concrete component;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along the line
IV-IV, with the slotted insert of the device embedded in a
prefabricated concrete component.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] With reference to the figures, the anchoring device
according to the invention, generally designated by the reference
numeral 1, comprises an anchoring insert 2 made of steel, which is
designed to be embedded in the concrete body 3 of a prefabricated
component 4, and a connecting element 5, which can engage the
anchoring insert 2 and another element of the structure, for
example another prefabricated component to be connected to the
component 4.
[0025] The anchoring insert 2 can be constituted by a known type of
slotted insert or, as shown, can be constituted by an anchoring
insert with enhanced resistance, which is the subject of a
co-pending patent application by the same Applicant.
[0026] The anchoring insert 2 has a substantially flat portion 7 in
which there is an elongated slot 8. The anchoring insert 2 is
designed to be embedded in the concrete body 3 of a prefabricated
component 4 so that one face 7a, or outer face, of the portion 7 is
arranged substantially flush with one of the faces of the component
4.
[0027] The anchoring insert 2 is composed of a main body 9, in
which there is the slot 8, and a secondary body 10, which is
associated with the main body 9 so as to form, between the inner
face 7b that lies opposite the face 7a of the portion 7 and said
secondary body 10, a compartment 11 that is protected by the
concrete and is designed to accommodate the head 12 of the
connecting element 5.
[0028] The connecting element 5 has a head 12 that can be inserted
through the slot 8 and can be moved into a condition for engaging
or disengaging the face 7b, or inner face, that lies opposite the
insertion face 7a, or outer face, by way of the rotation, through a
preset angle, preferably 90.degree., of the head 12 about an axis
that is parallel to its direction of insertion in the slot 8.
[0029] According to the invention, the anchoring device comprises
locking means for locking the rotation of the head 12 about said
axis when the head 12 is in the engagement condition.
[0030] Furthermore, said locking means are suitable to allow the
sliding of the connecting element, with its head 12 in the
engagement condition, along the slot 8 with respect to the
anchoring insert 2.
[0031] The connecting element 5 is preferably formed monolithically
and made of steel and is constituted by a shaft 13 that ends, at
one of its axial ends, with the head 12.
[0032] The head 12 is preferably substantially hammer-shaped, with
a pair of expansions 12a, 12b that protrude laterally, on opposite
sides, with respect to the axis 12a of the shaft 13. The shaft 13
can rotate about its own axis 12a in order to move the head 12 into
the insertion or disengagement condition, in which the expansions
12a, 12b are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot 8 in
order to pass through said slot 8, or into the engagement
condition, in which the expansions 12a and 12b are arranged
transversely to the longitudinal axis of the slot 8 and face two
regions, arranged laterally to the slot 8, of the inner face
7b.
[0033] The shaft 13 is threaded at least partially starting from
the head 12. Preferably, the shaft 13 is threaded substantially
along its entire extension.
[0034] The locking means comprise a locking element 14, which can
be inserted in the slot 8 and can engage the head 12 in order to
rigidly couple, in rotation about the axis 12a, the head 12 and the
anchoring insert 2. The locking element 14 preferably has a
substantially cylindrical shape and is crossed axially by a hole 15
that can be engaged loosely by the shaft 13. The locking element 14
has, on its lateral surface, in two diametrically opposite regions,
two flat portions 16a and 16b that can engage the longitudinal
sides of the slot 8.
[0035] The locking element 14 rests, with one of its axial ends,
against the expansions 12a and 12b of the head 12.
[0036] Furthermore, said axial end of the locking element 14 has at
least one wing, preferably two wings 17a and 17b, which can engage
the sides of the head 12 that lie transversely to the longitudinal
extension of the slot 8 when the head 12 is in the engagement
condition.
[0037] The locking means also comprise a locking nut 18, which can
be screwed onto the shaft 13 and can engage the axial end of the
locking element 14 that lies opposite the head 12 in order to lock
it between the head 12 and said locking nut 18.
[0038] Conveniently, the locking element 14 has, proximate to its
axial end directed toward the locking nut 18, a collar 19, which is
not affected by the flat portions 16a and 16b, so as to rest
against the insertion face 7a of the anchoring insert 2. The
distance D between the face of the collar 19 that is designed to
engage against the insertion face or outer face 7a of the anchoring
insert 2 and the face of the head 12 that is designed to be
directed toward the opposite face 7b is greater than the distance d
between the insertion face or outer face 7a and the regions of the
anchoring insert 2 that are designed to face the head 12.
[0039] These regions of the anchoring insert 2 can be constituted
simply by the face 7b, or by ribs 20a and 20b welded to the face 7b
in order to increase the resistance of the portion 7 to
deformation.
[0040] The shaft 13 can be used to provide a connection, preferably
by bolting, to other elements of the structure, for example to
other similar anchoring devices, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0041] In these figures, the shaft 13 of one device is inserted
through a through hole 21 formed in a nut 22, which is screwed onto
another shaft 23, which is similar to the shaft 13.
[0042] It should be noted that by means of a nut 24 and a lock nut
25 it is possible to vary the position of the nut 22 along the
shaft 13 and therefore vary the distance between the components or
other elements of the structure connected to each other by means of
the device according to the invention.
[0043] The assembly of the anchoring device according to the
invention is as follows.
[0044] The head 12 of the shaft 13 is inserted in the slot 8 and
then the shaft 13 is turned substantially through 90.degree. about
its own axis 13a, so as to move the head 12 into the condition for
engagement with the face 7b or rather with the ribs 20a and
20b.
[0045] By fitting the locking element 14 on the shaft 13 and
locking it axially by means of the locking nut 18, so that the
wings 17a and 17b are located on the sides of the expansions 12a
and 12b, the rotation of the shaft 13 about its axis 13a is
locked.
[0046] It should be noted that the above cited condition D>d
allows the shaft 13 to slide along the slot 8 without the danger of
disengaging from the anchoring insert 2.
[0047] The condition D>d also allows the shaft 13 to oscillate
on a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot 8
and perpendicular to the insertion face 7a.
[0048] By way of the rotational locking of the shaft 13, it is
possible to perform without problems, and in full safety,
adjustments of the distance between the components connected to
each other by means of the device, by acting on the nuts 24 and
25.
[0049] In practice it has been found that the anchoring device
according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and
objects, since it ensures correct engagement between the anchoring
insert and the connecting element regardless of the skill of the
installer.
[0050] Another advantage of the device according to the invention
is that it provides a connection that allows mutual movements
between the connected elements and allows to provide structures
that have a higher resistance to seismic phenomena.
[0051] The anchoring device thus conceived is susceptible of
numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the
scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be
replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
[0052] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the
dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state
of the art.
[0053] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
MI2000A002793 from which this application claims priority are
incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *