U.S. patent application number 11/232866 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for anchor bolt placement protection assembly and method for aligning structural elements in a form when pouring concrete.
Invention is credited to James R. Smith.
Application Number | 20060016140 11/232866 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46322744 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060016140 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; James R. |
January 26, 2006 |
Anchor bolt placement protection assembly and method for aligning
structural elements in a form when pouring concrete
Abstract
An anchor bolt placement and protection assembly for positioning
or setting a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete stem foundation or
concrete slab in relation to spaced form boards for controlling the
depth of the anchor bolt in the concrete and the protected length
of the anchor bolt projecting above the concrete foundation or
slab. The assembly includes a base plate carrying a fixed,
elongated tubular member having a lumen with an inner diameter
dimensioned to receive the selected anchor bolt. The tubular member
is sized to abut a detached tubular having an inside diameter that
is substantially equal to the fixed tubular member's inside
diameter. The assembly also includes a fastener with an anchor bolt
thread engaging lumen with an inside diameter that is substantially
equal to said fixed tubular member's inside diameter.
Inventors: |
Smith; James R.; (Redding,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES, TULLAR & COOPER, P.C.
P.O. BOX 2266 EADS STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
46322744 |
Appl. No.: |
11/232866 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10335656 |
Dec 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
11232866 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 27/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/295 |
International
Class: |
E02D 27/00 20060101
E02D027/00; E02D 27/32 20060101 E02D027/32 |
Claims
1. An anchor bolt placement and protection assembly for positioning
or setting a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete stem foundation or
concrete slab in relation to at least one of two spaced form boards
defining at least one surface of said concrete stem foundation or
concrete slab and for controlling the depth of the anchor bolt in
the concrete and the protected length of the anchor bolt projecting
above the concrete foundation or slab, comprising: a) a fixed,
elongated tubular member having a central axis and a distal end, an
open proximal end symmetrical about said central axis, a lumen with
a predetermined inner diameter dimensioned to encompass the outer
diameter of a selected anchor bolt and a depth between said distal
end and said open proximal end correlated to the protected length
of said anchor bolt's shaft that is to project above said concrete
stem foundation or concrete slab; b) a base plate having an
aperture defining the open proximal end of said elongated tubular
member and at least one integral elongated reinforcing rib
extending laterally from said tubular member, said base plate
having a top surface opposing a bottom surface and a first end edge
spaced a predetermined distance from said tubular member's central
axis; c) a detached tubular member having a cylindrical side wall
of selected axial length defining a lumen with an open distal end
opposite an open proximal end, said lumen having an inside diameter
that is substantially equal to said fixed tubular member's inside
diameter; and d) a fastener having a cylindrical side wall of
selected axial length defining a thread engaging lumen with an open
proximal end, said lumen having an inside diameter that is
substantially equal to said fixed tubular member's inside
diameter.
2. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly according to
claim 1, wherein said base plate and said fixed tubular member are
integrally formed as a one-piece unit.
3. The anchor bolt placement and protection device according to
claim 1, wherein said base plate and fixed tubular member are
integrally formed as a unitary body fabricated from synthetic
resinous material.
4. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 1,
wherein said base plate circumscribes said tubular member's central
axis, and at least one integral elongated plate portion extends
perpendicularly from said elongated tubular member.
5. An anchor bolt placement and protection assembly for positioning
a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete foundation or concrete slab in
relation to at least one of two spaced form boards that define at
least one surface of said foundation or slab and for controlling
the length of the anchor bolt projecting above the foundation or
slab or controlling the depth of the bolt in the foundation or
slab, comprising: a) a substantially planar base plate having a
bottom surface opposing an upper surface bearing alignment indicia;
wherein said base plate includes a plurality of apertures each
dimensioned to receive and support a nail; b) said base plate
carrying a fixed elongated tubular member having a central axis and
an upper terminal end, an open lower end symmetrical about said
central axis, a predetermined inner peripheral diameter dimensioned
to encompass the diameter of a selected anchor bolt and a depth
between said terminal end and said open lower end correlated to the
length of said anchor bolt that is to project above said concrete
stem foundation or concrete slab; and c) a detached tubular member
adapted to be coaxially aligned with said fixed tubular member and
dimensioned to receive the anchor bolt when the bolt is inserted
within said fixed tubular member and said coaxially aligned
detached tubular member to allow a selected length of the anchor
bolt to project above the plane of the base plate's upper
surface.
6. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 5,
wherein said base plate has at least one integral elongated plate
portion extending laterally from said tubular member and including
an end edge spaced a predetermined distance from said central
axis.
7. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 6,
wherein integral reinforcement ribs are spaced about the outer
periphery of said fixed elongated tubular member at 90 intervals
and extend from said base plate upper surface to adjacent said
upper terminal end of said fixed elongated tubular member.
8. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 7,
wherein said base plate and fixed tubular member are integrally
formed as a unitary body fabricated from synthetic resinous
material.
9. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein said base plate comprises a substantially rectangular
member having a length of at least four and one half inches.
10. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein said base plate comprises a substantially rectangular
member having a length of approximately twelve half inches.
11. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein said base plate includes an integral elongated
reinforcement rib is provided medianly of an elongated plate
portion extending from adjacent said edge thereof to said elongated
tubular member.
12. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein said base plate includes a plurality of integral elongated
reinforcement ribs spaced at 90 intervals about said tubular
member.
13. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein a plurality of transversely extending form board position
indicating integral ribs are provided on the top surface of said
base plate, said form board position indicating ribs being spaced
about one inch apart.
14. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,
wherein a plurality of transversely extending form board position
indicating integral ribs are provided on the top surface of said
base plate, said indicating ribs being evenly spaced and said nail
receiving apertures being spaced about one inch apart.
15. An anchor bolt placement assembly comprising: a) an elongated
anchor bolt having an elongated main body portion symmetrical about
a longitudinal axis, said anchor bolt having threads at said bolt's
distal end portion and a transversely extending abutment portion at
said bolt's proximal end portion; b) an anchor bolt placement and
protection device including a fixed elongated tubular member
symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis and having an open
distal end and an open proximal end integral with a base plate
including at least two integral laterally extending elongated plate
portions each having top and bottom surfaces and an end edge spaced
a predetermined distance from and extending in opposite directions
from said central axis; c) at least one detached tubular member
adapted to abut the distal end of said fixed tubular member; d)
elongated form boards spaced apart to define a space to be filled
with concrete and including parallel top edges coincident with the
top surface of concrete filling said space; and e) wherein said
distal end portion of said anchor bolt is surrounded by said
tubular extension sleeve and said fixed elongated tubular member of
said anchor bolt placement and protection device and said proximal
end portion of said anchor bolt is thrust into said body of
concrete filling said space between said form boards until the
bottom surface of said elongated plate portion of said base plate
rests on the surface of said concrete until the concrete hardens
whereupon said anchor bolt placement and protection device is
removed from said anchor bolt.
16. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 15, wherein said
detached tubular member comprises an extension sleeve.
17. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 15, wherein said
detached tubular member comprises a threaded nut fastener adapted
to threadably engage said anchor bolt's distal threads.
18. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 15, wherein the
edge of at least one laterally extending elongated plate portion
overlaps said top edge of one of said form boards.
19. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 18, wherein the end
portion of said elongated plate portion that overlaps the top edge
of said form board is detachably secured to the top edge of said
form board.
20. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 18, wherein each
said integral elongated plate portion overlaps and extends past
said top edge of an associated form board, and further including
means detachably securing the distal end portions of each of said
two elongated plate portions to an underlying form board.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of and claims
priority to the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/335,656 entitled "Anchor Bolt Placement and Protection Device",
filed Dec. 31, 2002. The entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to concrete foundations and
the foundation forms made of boards into which concrete is poured
and more particularly relates to mud sill anchor bolts and
structural hardware bolts imbedded in the concrete. The present
invention also relates to an anchor bolt placement and protection
device adapted to be detachably mounted to the threaded end of an
anchor bolt to shield the threads and vertical shaft exposed after
pouring, protecting the threads and shaft from being coated with
concrete during the pour. This invention also relates to properly
positioning the anchor bolt in relation to the form boards between
which the concrete is poured.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0005] In conventional construction of homes and other buildings,
it is well known to pour concrete between form boards for
foundations set into trenches accommodating the wooden forms which
retain the concrete while it hardens or cures. Conventional
industry practice has been to place a wooden spacer bar between the
form boards at the bottom of the trench and to nail a cleat across
the top of the form boards to retain the proper spacing of the form
boards while concrete is being poured into the form. While it is
expected that the bottom spacer bars will be of appropriate length
to retain the bottom edges of the form boards at the appropriate
spacing in the trench bottom where they can be held in place by the
pressure of the dirt filled into the trench against the outside
surfaces of the form, it has been discovered that the wooden cleats
nailed across the top edges of the form board provided
unsatisfactory results. Often, the top edges of the form boards
spread apart as the form is filled with concrete, and the spacing
of the form boards is ruined. This is caused by improper nailing of
the top cleat. Often, one end portion of the cleat must be nailed
to the top edges of the form board after which the workman needs to
manipulate a measuring rule between the inner surfaces of the top
edge portions of the form boards while placing a second nail
through the cleat and into the remaining form board while
attempting to retain the two form boards at the appropriate
spacing. This procedure is expensive in terms of materials and time
since it often takes the workman a significant amount of time to
achieve proper spacing at the top edges of the form boards. Another
disadvantage of this method of spacing and retaining the upper
edges of the form boards is that frequently workmen are paid for
the number of linear feed of forms they erect. Workmen paid in this
manner are motivated to work quickly rather than carefully and so
contribute to the improper spacing of the top edges of the form
boards or improper nailing of the cleats. Another disadvantage is
that during the concrete pour, as the form is filled, the cleats
are an obstruction to the agitation of the concrete. Concrete is
agitated at this time to remove bubbles from the concrete. And the
cleats obstruct the trowels used to "float" or smooth the top of
the concrete to provide a relatively smooth surface for the
placement of the mud sill which must be anchored to the top of the
foundation or concrete slab by the anchor bolts when set into the
concrete.
[0006] When anchoring the mud sill using anchor bolts, various
systems have been utilized to support or align anchor bolts
supported in relation to the top edges of the form boards while
concrete is being poured. Placement of these anchor bolts is
critical but the position of the anchor bolt is often misjudged,
thus increasing the difficulty of boring holes in the mud sill to
receive the anchor bolts. In addition to misplacement or irregular
spacing between successive anchor bolts, another problem in the
prior art system of setting anchor bolts is that the depth to which
the anchor bolts are set is very often not uniform. Sometimes the
anchor bolts are set so deeply that the threaded end of the anchor
bolt does not project through the thickness of the mud sill,
thereby providing no way to fix the position of the mud sill.
Another problem is that the threaded end of the anchor bolt may
project too far above the mud sill, requiring numerous washers to
provide a surface properly engaging the threaded portion of the
anchor bolts so that a nut may be threaded on to the anchor bolt to
retain the mud sill, after it is placed over the anchor bolt.
[0007] Another problem is that during the pour, concrete may adhere
to the anchor bolt and accumulate at the base of that portion of
the anchor bolt shaft outer surface where the anchor bolt projects
upwardly from the horizontal surface of the concrete. Once the
concrete is cured, it is very difficult to remove this now hardened
unwanted cement material and if the mud sill is simply placed over
an anchor bolt which includes that accumulated material, the mud
sill will not make uniform contact with the surface of the
foundation, thereby providing an uneven, non-level surface upon
which carpenters must build the wall. Very often this misaligned
mud sill will cause misalignments in the wall and in the structures
which rest on the wall, and such misalignments can even be seen
where walls meet roof members, and so problems associated with
unwanted material adhering to the upwardly projected portion of the
anchor bolt shaft can propagate through and create significant
defects in all of the structure that rests upon the mud sill.
[0008] There is a need, therefore, for an improved anchor bolt
placement and protection device and a method for installing anchor
bolts and aligning form boards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an anchor bolt protection and support assembly that
cooperates with the threaded end of the anchor bolt to properly
position the anchor bolt and protect the anchor bolt during the
pour. Proper position provides a precise spacing in relation to the
inner surface of a form board and also provides an appropriate
depth for the length of the bolt and the thickness of the mud sill
so that the mud sill (when placed over the anchor bolt) is properly
oriented. It is another object of the present invention to protect
the anchor bolt threads and the anchor bolt shaft from
contamination by concrete during the pour, thereby avoiding an
accumulation of cement material at the intersection of the anchor
bolt where it projects above the surface of the pour concrete
foundation.
[0010] Depending on the structure being constructed, foundation
walls are frequently dimensioned to receive two by four (1.5 inch
by 3.5 inch) or two by six (1.5 inch by 5.5 inch) mud sills.
Usually, the mud sill is a red wood beam or other structural lumber
member that must be drilled or bored at appropriate intervals to
receive the threaded ends of the anchor bolts projecting vertically
from the top surface of the foundation or concrete slab.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a protective
placement device detachably envelopes and engages the exposed
threaded end of the anchor bolt and includes at least one lateral
projecting flange to index and accurately space the anchor bolt
from a selected (e.g., inside) surface of the form board, so that
all the anchor bolts are uniformly spaced from a reference form
board surface. Proper spacing of the anchor bolts facilitates
boring of the mud sill so that the holes in the mud sill are
appropriately spaced to match the spacing between the anchor bolts
and any structural hardware bolts.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a pre-manufactured
or pre-molded device having a tubular extension projecting at a
substantially perpendicular angle upward from an indexing flange is
slipped over the threaded end of an anchor bolt to a predetermined
depth and provides a surface upon which one can rest one or more
optional tubular extension members dimensioned in selected lengths
to provide a desired length of protected anchor bolt surface.
Optionally, the device of the present invention can include a
molded threaded nut member including an interior lumen having a
side wall defined with thread receiving structural features so that
the nut member, having an open or closed distal end can be threaded
over the anchor bolt after the selected number of protective
tubular segments are placed over the upwardly projecting anchor
bolt's distal threaded end.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the laterally projecting flange
members include printed indicia and through holes or bores adapted
to receive nails at selected, marked intervals so that a workman
can easily see where to place the flange member on the form board's
selected reference surface and simply insert the nails in the
through holes where they are conveniently held in a vertical
orientation so that they can be hammered home, thereby at least
temporarily fixing the position of the flange on the form.
[0014] Another embodiment includes an elongated flange having an
upper surface with indicia used to measure form spread. The
elongated flange is useful when installing forms and selecting the
spread or transverse spacing or width between interior form board
surfaces, since the distances are, in the preferred embodiment,
included on the flange's upper surface.
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof,
particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals in the various figures
are utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of assembled elements of the
anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view, in elevation, of the base plate of
the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2,
in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
anchor bolt placement and protection assembly base plate.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a side view, in partial cross-section, of the
base plate of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows, in partial cross-section, the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of the present invention
including an anchor bolt placed in concrete, illustrating how the
base plate can be nailed to form boards, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is another alternative embodiment of the base plate
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of the base plate of FIG. 7, in
partial cross-section, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an exploded view, in perspective, showing an
alternative embodiment of the anchor bolt placement and protection
assembly of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchor bolt placement
and protection assembly of FIG. 9.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the base plate for the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a top or plan view of an alternative embodiment
of the base plate.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side view, in partial section, of the base
plate of FIG. 12.
[0029] FIG. 14 is another alternative embodiment of the base plate,
as seen from the top.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side view, in partial section, of the base
plate of FIG. 14.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view, in partial section,
showing the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly installed
upon an anchor bolt and nailed to a form board in a concrete
foundation, in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of
the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the base plate of the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of FIG. 17.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembled anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of FIG. 17.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a side view, in partial section, of the anchor
bolt placement and protection assembly of FIGS. 17-19 installed in
a concrete or cement structure bounded by form boards, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 21 is perspective view of a form spreading base, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 22 is a plan or top view of the form spreading base of
FIG. 21.
[0038] FIG. 23 is a side view, in elevation, showing in partial
cross-section the form spreading base of FIGS. 21 and 22 used in
connection with alternate placements of form boards for pouring a
concrete foundation or the like, in accordance with the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] A first embodiment of the anchor bolt placement and
protection assembly 10 of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, anchor bolt placement
and protection assembly 10 includes a substantially planar base
plate or flange 12 having an upper surface 14 opposite a lower
surface 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a base plate bolt
aperture 18 is provided in the shape of a circle. Base plate 12
also includes a plurality of nail-receiving apertures 20 each
including a raised collar portion dimensioned to receive and hold a
nail placed within the collar in preparation for having that nail
driven into a foundation form board or the like. The nail apertures
20 are preferably spaced at even increments selected to
appropriately position base plate 12 in relation to form boards
during a pour (e.g., as seen in FIG. 6).
[0040] Base plate 12 also includes, on upper surface 14, a
plurality of substantially parallel spaced, transverse alignment
indicia ribs 22 which can be used as layout guides for foundation
walls or the like. Base plate 12 is a substantially rectangular
member having radiussed corners, a length of approximately twelve
inches, a width of approximately one and three quarters inches and
a thickness of approximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made
from fiber reinforced resin or polymer. The six transversely
extending form board position indicating integral ribs 22 are
provided on the top surface 14 of each of two integral elongated
base plate portions and are spaced along the long axis of base
plate 12 at about one inch apart. The fourteen nail-receiving
apertures 20 are formed in transversely aligned pairs in the plate
portions and are also spaced along the long axis of base plate 12
at about one inch apart, center to center.
[0041] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, base plate 12 carries a
substantially perpendicular upwardly projecting fixed tubular
member 30 having an open distal end defining a sealing surface with
a substantially flat or planar edge adapted to seal against, a butt
or receive a similar flange sealing surface on either an optional
movable tubular member 64 or a threaded nut 68. Fixed tubular
member 30 has an elongate central access 26 and defines an interior
lumen 36 terminating proximally in base plate and coaxially with
circular base plate aperture 18. Tubular member proximal end 34 is
rigidly fixed to or is an integral part of base plate 12 and is
supported by a plurality of ribs or web segments, 44, 46 which
reinforce and support fixed tubular member 30. Tubular member lumen
36 has a selected inside diameter 37 adapted too closely encircle,
protect and support a selected anchor bolt size (e.g., sized to fit
one half inch O.D. bolts or five eighth inch O.D. bolts). Tubular
member interior wall 38 defines, preferably, a circular lumen 37
and the tubular member exterior wall 40 is adapted to deflect
debris, poured cement and other materials, protecting an anchor
bolt when the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly 10 is
in use.
[0042] As noted above, longitudinal reinforcing web or rib 44
extends along at least part of the central axis of base plate 12
and is arrayed at, preferably, a 90.degree. angle to transverse
reinforcing webs 46 which are aligned transversely to the central
axis of base plate 12, thereby providing optimal reinforcement or
support to upwardly projecting fixed tubular member 30.
[0043] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly 12
preferably is packaged as a kit including one and possibly more
extension sleeves 50, 64 defined in selected lengths to permit the
installer or user to pre-select the amount of anchor bolt shaft to
extend above the concrete foundations upper surface. An extension
sleeve (e.g., 50 or 64) can also be used alone or in combination to
determine the anchor bolt depth projecting into the concrete
material.
[0044] Extension sleeve 50 preferably includes a substantially
tubular or cylindrical side wall segment having a distal end 52
defining a sealing surface opposite a proximal end 54 carrying a
sealing flange dimensioned to closely fit upon and sealably engage
the sealing surface (e.g., of tubular member 32 or of another
extension sleeve). Extension sleeve 50 defines an interior lumen 56
which is preferably symmetrical around a central axis and
constrained by extension sleeve interior wall 58. Extension sleeve
exterior wall 60 includes, preferably, radially arrayed reinforcing
ribs 62 providing mechanical support and stiffing to the protective
extension sleeve. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, second extension
sleeve 64 is shown in a second, longer axial length (e.g., three
and one half inches) than first extension sleeve 50 (at, e.g., one
and three quarter inches) and can be used alone or combination with
other extension sleeves (e.g., 50) to provide an anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly 10 having a number of different
possible configurations.
[0045] The components of assembly 10 which come into contact with
the anchor bolt, as best seen in FIGS. 6, 16 and 20, each have a
proximal flange with a transverse sealing surface bounded by a
peripheral barrier wall segment that effectively deflects any
material falling from above away from the sealing surface. Each
tube-like component also has a distal sealing surface adapted to
engage and abut the proximal sealing surface of the mating
component, and the distal sealing surface and distal end are sized
to fit within and be protected by the mating component's proximal
end peripheral barrier wall. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6,
tubular member distal end has a sealing surface 32 that fits within
and is protected by the proximal end and sealing flange 72 of
threaded nut 68.
[0046] In the preferred embodiment, a threaded nut 68 includes an
open or closed distal end 70 and proximal end with sealing flange
72 is adapted to rest upon and sealably engage a distal end sealing
surface of the mating component (e.g., the extension sleeve distal
surface 52 or fixed tubular member distal surface 32). Threaded nut
74 includes and interior lumen 74 within an interior wall having
thread engaging structural elements, such as threads. Threaded nut
68 also includes a substantially cylindrical exterior wall
preferably including a plurality of radially arrayed reinforcing
ribs aligned along the axis of threaded nut 68. Threaded nut 68
also preferably includes raised projections 80 adapted to receive
and engage tool surfaces such as wrench jaws, pliers of the like
for use when installing or removing threaded nut 68 on the anchor
bolt distal end.
[0047] Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a concrete
foundation form 100 includes a first elongate form board 110
aligned, preferably, in parallel with a second elongate form board
112. The form boards are spaced apart to define an interior volume
adapted to receive concrete, mud or cement 114 which is poured in
and which, once cured, provides, preferably, a relatively level and
uniform concrete upper surface 116. Advantageously, the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of the present invention protects
the entire extent of the anchor bolt projecting up from the
foundation, and so no splashed cement or other material is
accumulated on the anchor bolt shaft above the upper surface of the
concrete, and so no time consuming cleaning is required. This will
ensure that when the pre-drilled mud sill plate is placed over the
anchor bolts upon the foundations, the mud sill plate will lie flat
upon and flush with the foundation's upper surface, providing a
more level surface to build upon.
[0048] In use, the builder or user selects the appropriate indicia
to align the base plate and selected nail holes over the form
boards. Then a plurality of nails 118 are driven through the base
plate nail apertures (e.g., 20) and into the form board, thereby
fixing the position of the anchor bolt placement and protection
assembly and the anchor bolt 120 secured therein. Anchor bolt 120
has its distal, threaded end 122 securely held within and protected
by threaded nut 68 and fixed tubular member 30 so that the mud or
concrete material cannot splash upon or adhere to the exterior
surface of anchor bolt shaft 126. Use of anchor bolt placement and
protection assembly 10 permits the user or form maker to carefully
control the depth of the anchor bolts proximal end 124 within the
concrete foundation 114.
[0049] Optionally, one or more extension sleeves (e.g. 50, 64)
could be used to raise the level of anchor bolt 120 so that a
greater length of anchor bolt shaft 126 is supported above the
upper surface 116 of the concrete.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the
anchor bolt placement and protection assembly 140 includes a
substantially planar elongated base plate 142 from which projects a
perpendicular tubular member 144. Base plate 142 is preferably
configured as a rectangular member having a plurality of transverse
thru-bores or apertures including a plurality of nail receiving
apertures aligned with a plurality of alignment indicia or
centering guide indicators. A longitudinal reinforcing web or rib
146 preferably supports fixed tubular member 144 which is also
supported by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 148 that extend
vertically along the length of tubular member 144. Tubular member
144 preferably has a selected diameter 150 which is slightly larger
than and closely fits with a selected size of anchor bolt
shaft.
[0051] Base plate 142 is a substantially rectangular member having
radiussed corners, a length of approximately twelve inches, a width
of approximately one and three sixteenth inches and a thickness of
approximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made from fiber
reinforced resin or polymer. The six transversely extending form
board position indicating integral ribs are provided on the top
surface of each of two integral elongated base plate portions and
are spaced along the long axis of base plate 142 at, preferably,
one inch apart. The twelve nail-receiving apertures are formed in
transversely aligned pairs in the plate portions and are also
spaced along the long axis of base plate 142 at about one inch
apart, center to center.
[0052] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a third embodiment of the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly 160 including a substantially
planar base plate 162 from which projects a substantially
perpendicular cylindrical tubular member adapted to receive and
sealably engage with one or more extension sleeves (e.g. 166, 170)
or, optionally, a threaded nut 168 all of which have a selected
inside diameter adapted to receive and protect an anchor bolt shaft
of selected size. When configured as shown in FIG. 10, extension
sleeve 166 has a proximal or lower flange area which sealably
engages the distal sealing surface 164 of tubular member 164 to
seal out debris, cement and other material which may otherwise
contaminate the outer surface of the anchor bolt shaft. Similarly,
threaded nut 168 includes a proximal flange adapted to bear against
and sealably engage the distal end of extension sleeve 166. As
shown in FIG. 11, the tubular member inside diameter 172 is
dimensioned to accommodate a selected size (e.g., 1/2'') anchor
bolt shaft.
[0053] Base plate 162 is a substantially rectangular member having
radiussed corners, a length of approximately four and one half
inches, a width of approximately one and three quarters inches and
a thickness of approximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made
from fiber reinforced resin or polymer. The two transversely
extending form board position indicating integral ribs are provided
on the top surface of the elongated base plate portion and are
spaced along the long axis of base plate 162 at one inch apart. The
four nail-receiving apertures are formed in transversely aligned
pairs in the plate portions and are also spaced along the long axis
of base plate 162 at one inch apart, center to center.
[0054] As noted above, anchor bolts of different sizes can be
accommodated, and each assembly is preferably color coded by anchor
bolt size. In an exemplary embodiment, 1/2 inch bolts are
accommodated using assembly components molded from bright orange
polymer or fiber reinforced molded resin material, 5/8 inch bolts
are accommodated using assembly components molded from bright blue
polymer or fiber reinforced molded resin material, and 7/8 inch
bolts are accommodated using assembly components molded from bright
green polymer or fiber reinforced molded resin material.
[0055] FIGS. 12-23 show additional optional elements included as
part of the kit for use with the anchor bolt placement and
protection assembly of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS.
12 and 13 show a fourth embodiment of the base plate 176 including
an upwardly projecting tubular member having an interior lumen with
a selected inside diameter (e.g. 1/2 inch) adapted for receiving a
selected anchor bolt. This tubular member includes a distal sealing
surface adapted for engaging the sealing proximal end of an
extension tube or threaded nut, as above.
[0056] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the base
plate 184 including an upwardly projecting reinforced tubular
member 186 having a larger lumen with an inside diameter of, for
example, 7/8 of an inch, and so is adapted for receiving an anchor
bolt of that size. Base plate 184 also includes a distal sealing
surface at the upper edge of tubular member 186 adapted to receive
and engage a proximal sealing surface and flange for a similarly
sized extension or threaded nut.
[0057] FIG. 16 shows, in partial cross-section, an anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly 160 installed upon and threadably
engaged with an anchor bolt 120 of, for example, 5/8 inch diameter.
Base plate 162 is first positioned in an appropriate orientation on
form board 112 to properly locate anchor bolt 120 within the
confines of the form, before concrete is poured. The distal end of
the anchor bolt 124 is set at the preselected depth by inclusion
of, optionally, one or more extension sleeves (e.g., 50, not
shown). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, no extension
sleeves are used. The installer or builder can then proceed to fill
the form with cement until the upper surface of the cement 116
rises to the level indicated by the bottom surface of base plate
160, whereupon the cement is allowed to cure, all without staining
or splashing upon the anchor bolt shaft 126 or contaminating the
anchor bolt threads.
[0058] FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the anchor bolt
placement and protection assembly of the present invention where a
substantially planar L-shaped base plate 210 includes an upper
surface carrying raised guide lines or alignment indicia 211. An
upwardly projecting tubular member 212 has an open distal end 214
with a sealing distal surface, as above. Optionally, one or more
extension sleeves 216, 220 may be used to customize the length of
the anchor bolt shaft to be protected and set the depth of the
distal end of the anchor bolt in the foundation. Once installed on
the anchor bolt, a threaded nut 218 is threadably engaged on the
distal end of the anchor bolt. The lumen within tubular member 212
has a selected inside diameter 222 which, in the illustrated
embodiment, is one-half inch.
[0059] As best seen in FIG. 20, the anchor bolt placement and
protection assembly 200 is well suited for use when concrete is
poured into a form and then anchor bolts are placed in the yet
uncured concrete. The base plate 210 rests upon the upper surface
of the concrete 116 thereby setting the depth of the anchor bolt in
the concrete. This anchor bolt placement and protection assembly
200 can therefore be used to place anchor bolts anywhere in the
foundation, after the concrete has been poured within form 100.
[0060] Preferably, the kit including the above-identified
components includes one or more optional form spreading bases 230
including a substantially planar base formed as an elongated
rectangular body having an upper surface 232 opposite a lower
surface and a number of nail receiving apertures or through bores
234 are defined in selected location, preferably next to base
alignment indicia 236 which provide transverse raised segments that
are easily perceived by the carpenter in the field.
[0061] Preferably, base spacing indicia 238 (e.g. six inches or
eight inches) are also provided to permit the user to select an
appropriate spacing for form boards. Form spreading base 230 is
preferably reinforced with a longitudinal reinforcing rib 240 and
is fabricated from fiber reinforced resin or a polymer material,
optionally provided in selected colors (e.g. orange).
[0062] In use, builders and concrete contractors can employ the
foundation bolt installation system 10 in a manner which permits
savings of labor, time and money. Advantageously, the components
shown in the figures can be provided in kits having a variety of
spreaders, guides and nailers to permit a quick and easy selection
of the appropriate component in a variety of construction
situations. For example, a kit including the a plurality of the
components shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, referred to as a Bolt-Rite
Stabber.TM. kit, permits quick and accurate insertion of anchor
bolts into wet concrete. The integral or built-in centering guide
indicia permit quick setting of anchor bolts to a correct depth and
position for either 2.times.4 or 2.times.6 sill plates. The
protective threaded cover cap 218 completely covers and protects
bolt threads from damage and concrete splash. The entire assembly
is easily removed when concrete is cured by unthreading the cover
cap 218, removing it from the distal end of the anchor bolt 122 and
sliding the protective assembly up and off of the bolt. In a
preferred embodiment, the guide of FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are
configured for use with 1/2'' O.D. bolts, but other size bolts can
easily be accommodated. The optional use of sleeves of selected
length permit the installer to select the desired components from
the assembly kit and install the guide, removable sleeve and
threaded nut to control both the amount of the anchor bolt to be
said into the wet concrete, and the amount of the side-wall or
shaft of the bolt to project above the concrete's upper surface,
once the concrete is cured.
[0063] The kit can also include one or more Bolt-Rite Nailer.TM.
assemblies using base plate 176 as shown in FIGS. 12-16. This
allows layout of all anchor bolts, nailed securely in the correct
position before pouring concrete. This is especially helpful in
that it allows anchor bolts to be in place before or after pouring
in fast-curing climates. Use of the assembly shown in FIGS. 12-16
eliminates the need for concrete drilling or epoxy-ing to fix
forgotten or mispositioned anchor bolts. Built-in guides or indicia
on the upper portion of the flanged base plate allow users or
installers to quickly set anchor bolts to the correct depth and
then position those bolts in relation to either of the 2.times.4 or
2.times.6 sill plates.
[0064] The protective assembly of FIG. 16 is easily removed when
concrete is cured by unthreading the cover cap or threaded nut 168
from the distal end of the anchor bolt 122, and then removing the
nails 118 attaching the flange or base plate 162 to the form board
(e.g., 112), whereupon the entire assembly 160 can be slideably
removed from the distal end of the bolt 122.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the Bolt-Rite w/Spreader.TM. assembly
permits installers to set the anchor bolts and spread forms in one
cost effective operation. As above, the protective threaded cap is
easily removed after concrete is cured and each of the components
is easily removed from the bolt. This also provides protection from
concrete splash omitting the need to clean the sidewall or shaft of
the bolt after the concrete is cured.
[0066] In the preferred embodiment, a spreader 230 as shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22 is included as part of a kit with the protective
assemblies discussed above. This includes ready to use
pre-positioned nail holes 234 and provides a rigid form spreading
layout guide for, in the preferred embodiment, 6'' or 8'' wide
foundations. When the spreader of FIGS. 21 and 22 is used in
conjunction with the other elements in a kit, users can avoid
wasting time measuring and cutting expensive stakes to make form
spreaders. With predrilled nail holes 234 and layout marks or guide
indicia 236, the form spreading or form construction operation is
completed more quickly. The narrow profile of the spreader member
of FIGS. 21 and 22 eases the trowelling process when finishing the
poured foundation's surface. In the preferred embodiment, all of
the assembly and kit components discussed above are molded from
polymer, possibly reinforced with fibrous material and are finished
or molded-in high visibility colors such as orange, blue or green
to help installers quickly identify overlooked areas in the form
construction process.
[0067] The anchor bolt protection and placement assembly and kit
elements of the present invention permit users to set perfect
anchor bolts 120 in foundations, keeping the anchor bolt surfaces
clean, straight and correctly positioned in a repeatable and easily
learned method. The apparatus of the present invention permits easy
compliance with code (UBC) requirements specifying that all
embedments are to be in place prior to pouring the concrete for a
foundation. This prevents last-minute hurried efforts to pound
bolts into hardening concrete and permits builders to easily
recover the invention's purchase cost in relatively few
applications, since hours otherwise spent cleaning bolt threads are
conserved. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly
components are molded with integral reinforcing ribs, so the
components will remain rigid and provide a rugged service to
prevent deflection of the bolts when concrete is poured, thereby
keeping anchor bolts straight. Each component of each assembly is
also reusable, thereby providing more economical use and ease of
amortization.
[0068] Variations on the foregoing dimensions can be used to
conform to standards and practices in other regions. For example,
the transversely extending form board position indicating integral
ribs 22 provided on the top surface 14 of each of two integral
elongated base plate portions can be spaced along the long axis of
base plate 12 at another desired spacing, e.g., a selected number
of centimeters. The nail-receiving apertures 20 formed in the plate
portions can also be spaced at another desired spacing, e.g., two
centimeters, center to center.
[0069] Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved
method, it is believed that other modifications, variations and
changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of
the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood
that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to
fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *