U.S. patent application number 11/223420 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for connector for concrete panels.
Invention is credited to Alan H. Sample.
Application Number | 20070056242 11/223420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37853640 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sample; Alan H. |
March 15, 2007 |
Connector for concrete panels
Abstract
Connectors for connecting preformed concrete panels, which
connectors have doubletee flanges extending from a center flange,
forming a U shape, with the flanges twisted at their ends an angle
of 90 degrees from the center, forming a curved surface between the
ends and the center flange, the connectors carried in and having
the center flanges flush with the sides of the panels, each center
flange meeting a like center flange in an adjoining panel, with the
center flanges welded together to connect the concrete panels.
Inventors: |
Sample; Alan H.; (Ottsville,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZACHARY T. WOBENSMITH, III
7746 101st Court
Vero Beach
FL
32967-2871
US
|
Family ID: |
37853640 |
Appl. No.: |
11/223420 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/41 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/698 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A connector for connecting adjacent concrete panels which
comprises a flat center flange. a pair of side flanges connected to
said center flange at a 90.degree. angle, forming a U shape, said
side flanges having ends which are twisted at a 90.degree. angle to
the center flange, forming curved surfaces between said center
flange and said side flange ends.
2. A connector as defined in claim 1 which is formed from a single
metallic strip.
3. A connector as defined in claim 1 in which said side flange
curved surfaces have at least one opening therein.
4. A connector as defined in claim 1 in which said center flange is
eight inches long, said side flanges are six inches long, said
center flange is two inches high, and said center and side flanges
are of one quarter inch thickness.
5. A connector as defined in claim 2 in which said metallic strip
is of stainless steel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a connector for connecting
concrete panels, of the type which is formed from a strip of metal,
which has a center flange and two side flanges perpendicular
thereto, and bent from their ends at a ninety degree angle to form
a U shaped connector, for insertion into a concrete panel and,
which abuts a like connector in an adjoining panel with the center
flanges welded together to connect the panels.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Precast concrete panels are widely used in the construction
industry to form the floor, walls or roof of buildings. These
precast panels are usually formed offsite in a factory, where rebar
is placed in a form and concrete is poured therein and left to
harden. It is desirable to be able to accurately line up the panels
for shear transfer between the panels. Typically weld plates or
grout keys have been used to handle the shear transfer, which were
embedded in the concrete, in the mold or immediately after casting.
It is difficult to obtain the degree of accuracy or the desired
holding power using these devices. Another proposed device uses
wings embedded in concrete with an angled face plate at the edge of
the panel, which is matched to a face plate on an adjoining panel.
A round is placed between the face plates and they are welded
together.
[0005] This structure is not entirely satisfactory, in that the
wings are not well retained in the panel and are difficult to
align.
[0006] The connectors of the invention do not suffer from the prior
art problems, and provide many advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A connector for connecting concrete panels of U shape with a
center flange and two side flanges extending therefrom carried in a
concrete panel with the side flanges bent at an increasing angle
along their lengths, to a ninety degree angle at their ends, with
the center flange welded to a like flange in an adjacent
panels.
[0008] The principal object of the invention is to provide a U
shaped connector to connect precast concrete panels.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector,
which is fabricated from a single strip of metal.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector
which provides improved shear stress transfer.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector,
which has provisions for insertion of reinforcing rods.
[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector
which is simple and inexpensive to fabricate and which is sturdy
and reliable in use.
[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector,
which reduces the costs of assembling the concrete panels.
[0014] A further object of the invention is to provide a connector
that can withstand relative movement between adjacent members
without causing distress in the concrete.
[0015] Other objects and advantageous features of the invention
will be apparent from the description and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The nature and characteristic features of the invention will
be more readily understood from the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a connector in accordance with
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 1A is a vertical sectional view taken on the line A-A
of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the connector
embedded in a concrete panel;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing two adjacent concrete
panels connected together by the connectors of FIG. 1, and
[0021] x FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a plurality of
concrete panels connected together by the connectors of the
invention.
[0022] It should of course be understood that the description and
drawings herein are merely illustrative, and that various
modifications and changes can be made in the structures, and
embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] When referring to the preferred embodiment, certain
terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such
terminology is intended to encompass not only the described
embodiment, but also technical equivalents, which operate and
function in substantially the same way to bring about the same
result.
[0024] Preferring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS.
1-4 thereof the connector 10 of the invention is therein
illustrated. The connector 10 is of U shape, and includes a center
flange 11 and two side flanges 12 and 14. The connector 10 is
preferably formed by bending a flat strip of metal, preferably
stainless steel, of two inch width, and one quarter inch thickness
with an initial length of twenty inches. The side flanges are bent
to an angle of 90.degree., six inches from the end of the strip,
and the ends of the flanges are twisted at an angle of 90.degree.;
providing curved surfaces 16 and 17.
[0025] The side flanges 12 and 14 can be provided with two or more
holes 15, of 3/4 inch diameter, in surfaces 16 and 17, which can
engage with the concrete panels or with reinforcing rods (not
shown) for improved retention in the concrete panels (to be
described).
[0026] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-4, portions of concrete
panels 20 are illustrated with connectors 10 therein.
[0027] The connectors 10 are inserted into molds (not shown) with
the center flanges 11 flush with the outer edges 22 of the panels
20. Concrete is poured into the molds (not shown), and after
hardening the panels 20 are removed from the molds, and transported
to the job site for assembly. After placement of the completed
panels 20, bars 23 are inserted between adjacent flanges 11 to
space the panels 20. The flanges 11 and bars 23 are welded
together.
[0028] If desired, reinforcing rods (not shown) may be inserted
into holes 15 of side flanges 12 and 14 for added retention of the
connectors 10.
[0029] It will thus be seen that connectors have been provided with
which the objects of the invention are attained.
* * * * *