U.S. patent application number 12/349181 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for anchor positioning assembly.
Invention is credited to Rens Hansort.
Application Number | 20090107057 12/349181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37392827 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansort; Rens |
April 30, 2009 |
ANCHOR POSITIONING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An anchor positioning assembly to position an anchor in a
concrete casting frame having a first reinforcing member and a
second reinforcing member. The anchor positioning assembly includes
an anchor and a hook member. The anchor includes an first portion
and a second portion, and the hook member includes a first end
configured to couple to the first reinforcing member, a second end
configured to couple to the second reinforcing member, and an
intermediate section coupled to the second portion of the
anchor.
Inventors: |
Hansort; Rens; (Naperville,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
ONE SOUTH PINCKNEY STREET, P O BOX 1806
MADISON
WI
53701
US
|
Family ID: |
37392827 |
Appl. No.: |
12/349181 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11121375 |
May 4, 2005 |
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12349181 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/125.4 ;
52/126.1; 52/223.13; 52/745.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/142 20130101;
E04G 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/125.4 ;
52/745.21; 52/223.13; 52/126.1 |
International
Class: |
E04G 21/14 20060101
E04G021/14; E04G 21/12 20060101 E04G021/12 |
Claims
1. An anchor positioning assembly to position an anchor in a
casting frame having a first reinforcing member and a second
reinforcing member, the anchor positioning assembly comprising: an
anchor having a first portion and a second portion; and a
positioning member having a first end configured to couple to the
first reinforcing member, a second end configured to couple to the
second reinforcing member, and an intermediate section; wherein the
positioning member is formed from a rod.
2. The anchor positioning assembly of claim 1 wherein the
intermediate section of the positioning member is coupled to the
second portion of the anchor.
3. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 1, and
further comprising a second positioning member having a third end
configured to couple to the first reinforcing member, a fourth end
configured to couple to the second reinforcing member, and a second
intermediate section.
4. The anchor positioning assembly of claim 3 wherein the second
intermediate section of the second positioning member is coupled to
the second portion of the anchor.
5. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the first end of the positioning member further includes a first
curved portion; the second end of the positioning member further
includes a second curved portion presenting a first concave profile
with respect to a first direction and a third curved portion
presenting a first convex profile substantially with respect the
first direction; the third end of the second positioning member
further includes a fourth curved portion; and the fourth end of the
second positioning member further includes a fifth curved portion
presenting a second concave profile with respect to a second
direction and a sixth curved portion presenting a second convex
profile substantially with respect the second direction.
6. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein
the second curved portion and the third curved portion are arranged
to engage in a snap fit with the second reinforcing member, and the
fifth curved portion and the sixth curved portion are arranged to
engaged in a snap fit with the second reinforcing member.
7. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 3, and
further comprising a void former forming a tight seal with the
first portion of the anchor.
8. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 3, and
wherein the second portion of the anchor includes a first leg and a
second leg, and wherein the intermediate section of the positioning
member couples to the first leg and the second intermediate section
of the second positioning member couples to the second leg.
9. The anchor positioning assembly as set forth in claim 8, and
wherein the intermediate section is secured to the first leg by a
first welded joint, and the second intermediate section is secured
to the second leg by a second welded joint.
10. A method of positioning an anchor positioning assembly within a
concrete casting frame to produce a concrete form, the method
comprising: arranging a first reinforcing member in the concrete
casting frame; arranging a second reinforcing member in the
concrete casting frame; engaging a first positioning member of the
anchor positioning assembly to the first and second reinforcing
member, wherein the first positioning member is formed from a rod;
engaging a second positioning member of the anchor positioning
assembly to the first and second reinforcing member, wherein the
second positioning member is formed from a rod; substantially
immersing a first portion of the anchor positioning assembly in
concrete; and creating a void within the concrete form such that a
portion of the anchor positioning assembly is exposed.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein a tight seal is
formed between the void former and a portion of the anchor
positioning assembly.
12. A positioning member having a first end configured to couple to
a first reinforcing member, a second end configured to couple to a
second reinforcing member, and an intermediate section; wherein the
first end of the positioning member further includes a first curved
portion; and the second end of the positioning member further
includes a second curved portion presenting a first concave profile
with respect to a first direction, a third curved portion
presenting a first convex profile substantially with respect to the
first direction, and a first inflection section providing a
transition between the second and third curved portions.
13. The positioning member of claim 12 wherein the second curved
portion and the third curved portion are arranged to engage in a
snap fit with the second reinforcing member.
14. An anchor positioning system comprising; a first positioning
member having a first end configured to couple to a first
reinforcing member, a second end configured to couple to a second
reinforcing member, and an intermediate section; wherein the first
positioning member is formed from a rod; and a second positioning
member having a third end configured to couple to the first
reinforcing member, a fourth end configured to couple to the second
reinforcing member, and a second intermediate section; wherein the
second positioning member is formed from a rod.
15. The anchor positioning system of claim 14 wherein the first end
of the first positioning member further includes a first curved
portion; the second end of the first positioning member further
includes a second curved portion presenting a first concave profile
with respect to a first direction, a third curved portion
presenting a first convex profile substantially with respect to the
first direction, and a first inflection section providing a
transition between the second and third curved portions; the third
end of the second positioning member further includes a fourth
curved portion; and the fourth end of the second positioning member
further includes a fifth curved portion presenting a second concave
profile with respect to a second direction, a sixth curved portion
presenting a second convex profile substantially with respect to
the second direction, and a second inflection section providing a
transition between the fifth and sixth curved portions.
16. The anchor positioning system of claim 15 wherein the second
curved portion and the third curved portion are arranged to engage
in a snap fit with the second reinforcing member, and the fifth
curved portion and the sixth curved portion are arranged to engage
in a snap fit with the second reinforcing member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/121,375, filed May 4, 2005, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to positioning
assembly and, more specifically, to an anchor positioning assembly
for partially embedment in a concrete member, such as a precast or
tilt-up wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed towards a positioning
assembly to be partially embedded in a concrete form. The
positioning assembly can assist with the positioning of an anchor
within a casting frame which is subsequently filled with
concrete.
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anchor
positioning member having a first end configured to couple to a
first reinforcing member, a second end configured to couple to a
second reinforcing member, and an intermediate section which can be
coupled to an anchor.
[0005] In another embodiment, the invention provides an anchor
positioning system comprising at least two anchor positioning
members. Each anchor positioning member has a first end configured
to couple to a first reinforcing member, a second end configured to
couple to a second reinforcing member, and an intermediate section
which can be coupled to an anchor.
[0006] In still another embodiment, the invention provides an
anchor positioning assembly to position an anchor in a casting
frame having a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing
member. The anchor positioning assembly includes an anchor and a
positioning member. The anchor includes an first portion and a
second portion, and the positioning member includes a first end
configured to couple to the first reinforcing member, a second end
configured to couple to the second reinforcing member, and an
intermediate section which can be coupled to the second portion of
the anchor.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method
of positioning an anchor positioning assembly within a casting
frame to produce a concrete form. The method includes arranging
first and second reinforcing members in the casting frame, engaging
a first positioning member of the anchor positioning assembly to
the first and second reinforcing members, engaging a second
positioning member of the anchor positioning assembly to the first
and second reinforcing members, substantially immersing a first
portion of the anchor positioning assembly in concrete, and
creating a void within the concrete form such that a portion of the
anchor positioning assembly is exposed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary
anchor positioning assembly embedded in a concrete form.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of a partial cross-section of an
exemplary anchor positioning assembly partially embedded in a
concrete form.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the partial cross-section of the
exemplary anchor positioning assembly as shown in FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary anchor for use in the
exemplary anchor positioning assembly as shown in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the exemplary anchor
positioning assembly as shown in FIG. 2 with a portion of the
concrete form removed and illustrating the reinforcing members.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary anchor
positioning assembly as shown in FIG. 2 with a portion of the
concrete form removed and illustrating the reinforcing members.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the exemplary anchor positioning
assembly as shown in FIG. 2 with a portion of the concrete form
removed and illustrating the reinforcing members.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary anchor positioning
assembly as shown in FIG. 2 with a portion of the concrete form
removed and illustrating the reinforcing members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and/or the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of
"including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof
herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents
thereof. The terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted" are used
broadly and encompass both direct and indirect connections,
couplings, and mountings. Furthermore, terms such as "front,"
"rear," "top," "bottom," "side," "inner," "outer," and the like are
only used to describe elements as they relate to one another, but
are in no way meant to recite specific orientations of the
apparatus, to indicate or imply necessary or required orientations
of the apparatus, or to specify how the invention described herein
will be used, mounted, displayed, or positioned in use.
[0017] An anchor positioning assembly 10 embodying the present
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-8. The positioning
assembly 10 can assist with the positioning of an anchor 20 within
a casting frame or housing 25 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) by coupling
to one or more reinforcing members 30 prior to the casting of
concrete. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-8, the reinforcing members
30 can be arranged in a grid pattern 35, for example, as discussed
below. In some embodiments, a portion of the positioning assembly
10 can also further strengthen the anchor 20 in the concrete form
40 (shown in FIGS. 1-3) when the form 40 is lifted. The positioning
assembly 10 includes an anchor 20, one or more positioning members
45, and a void former 50.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary anchor 20 for use in the
positioning system 10. The anchor 20 can be formed from metal, such
as steel, for example. The anchor 20 includes a first or upper
portion 60 and a second or lower portion 65. The upper portion 60,
at least in part, can be surrounded by the void former 50 when
assembled, as discussed below, and at least in part, can define an
aperture 70. The lower portion 65 is connected to one or more
positioning members 45. The one or more positioning members 45 and
the lower portion 65, at least in part, is immersed in the concrete
form 30 (shown in FIGS. 2-3), as discussed below.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the anchor 20 includes a single
bar 75 forming the upper portion 60 and the lower portion 65. The
bar 75 includes a first leg 80, a second leg 85, and an
intermediate section 90. The intermediate section 90 includes at
least one apex section 95. The first leg 80 includes a first end
100 of the bar 75, and the second leg 85 includes a second end 105
of the bar 75. In some embodiments, the first end 80 can further
include a first foot 110, and the second end 80 can include a
second foot 115. The first foot 110 and the second foot 115 can be
secured to the first end 80 and the second end 85, respectfully, or
can each be an integral portion of the bar 75.
[0020] In other embodiments, the anchor 20 can varying in shape,
size and form. For example, the positioning system 10 can use a
W-foot anchor, such as the anchor shown and described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/648,935, the entire content of which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0021] The positioning assembly 10 further includes one or more
positioning members 45 to couple to one or more reinforcing members
30, such as the reinforcing bars 30 shown in the illustrated
embodiments. In other embodiments, the reinforcing members 30 can
vary in width, length, shape, size and material. The reinforcing
members 30 can include a beam, for example.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-8, the exemplary positioning
assembly 10 includes a first positioning member 200 and a second
positioning member 205. Each positioning member 200 and 205
includes a first end portion 210, a second end portion 215, and an
intermediate section 220. The first end portion 210 of each
positioning member 200 and 205 couples to a first reinforcing bar
240 positioned within the casting frame 25, and the second end
portion 215 of each positioning member 200 and 205 couples to a
second reinforcing bar 245 positioned within the casting frame
25.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiments, the first end portion 210
and the second end portion 215 are configured to engage with the
first reinforcing bar 240 and the second reinforcing bar 245,
respectively, such that each positioning member 200 and 205 can be
subjected to tension when coupled to the reinforcing bars 240 and
245. The positioning member 200 and 205 may also be either
substantially or at least partially supported by reinforcing bars
240 and 245. Furthermore, the positioning member can be subjected
to compression when couples to the reinforcing bars 240 and 245, or
can be at least partially supported by the reinforcing bars 240 and
245 and also be subjected to compression when coupled to the bars
240 and 245.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first end portion 210 of each
positioning member 200 and 205 can further be configured to
partially surround a portion of the first reinforcing bar 240. For
example, in the illustrated embodiments, the first end portion 210
can further include a curved section 250 having an inner surface
252 and an outer surface 255 (with respect to the reinforcing bar
240). The curved section 250 can at least partially surround (e.g.,
partially hook around) a portion of the first reinforcing bar 210.
The inner surface 252 can couple, indirectly or directly, to the
reinforcing bar 240.
[0025] In some embodiments, the second end portion 215 of each
positioning member 200 and 205 can further be configured to create
a snap fit between the second send portion 215 and the second
reinforcing bar 245. For example, in the illustrated embodiments,
the second end portion 215 of each positioning member 200 and 205
can further include a first curved section 260 and a second curved
section 265. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first curved section
260 includes an outer concave surface 270 and an inner concave
surface 272. The first curved section 260, the outer surface 270
and inner surface 272 present concave profiles with respect to a
first direction, such as the direction from the first and second
reinforcing bars 240 and 245. The second curved section 265
includes an outer convex surface 275 and an inner convex surface
278. The second curved section 265, the outer surface 275 and the
inner surface 278 present convex profiles substantially with
respect to the same first direction (e.g., the direction from the
first and second reinforcing bars 240 and 245).
[0026] In the illustrated embodiments, the second end portion 215
also includes an inflection section 280 (shown in FIG. 6). The
inflection section 280 provides the transition between the first
curved section 260 (and the outer and inner concave surfaces 270
and 272) and the second curved section 265 (and the outer and inner
convex surfaces 275 and 278). The inflection section 280 also
includes an outer inflection surface 282 and an inner inflection
surface 285 (shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, such as the
illustrated embodiments, the first curved section 260, the second
curved section 265 and the inflection section 280 are arranged to
substantially form an S-shaped end portion 215.
[0027] In some embodiments, the inner concave surface 272, the
inner inflection surface 280 and the inner convex surface 278 can
all, in part, couple to the second reinforcing bar 245. In other
embodiments, the second reinforcing bar 245 can couple to one of
the inner surfaces 272, 278 or 280 or a combination of the inner
surfaces 272, 278 and 280. In some embodiments this coupling can be
accomplished by welding.
[0028] As shown in the illustrated embodiments, both the first
reinforcing bar 240 and the second reinforcing bar 245 are included
in the grid pattern 35, and each are positioned substantially
parallel to the other. In other embodiments (not shown), the first
end portion 210 of the first positioning member 200 can couple to
one reinforcing member 30 while the first end portion 210 of the
second positioning member 205 can couple to another reinforcing
member 30. Similarly, in other embodiments (not shown), the second
end portion 215 of the first positioning member 200 can couple to
one reinforcing member 30 while the second end portion 215 of the
second positioning member 205 can couple to another reinforcing
member 30. In further embodiments, the reinforcing members 30 can
be arranged in a different pattern, such as, for example, a pattern
with two or more non-parallel, non-perpendicular reinforcing
members 30.
[0029] In some embodiments, the intermediate section 220 of each
positioning member 200 and 205 can be coupled to the anchor 20,
when the positioning assembly 10 is assembled. As shown in the
illustrated embodiments, the intermediate section 220 of the first
positioning member 200 can be secured to the first leg 80 of the
anchor 20, and the intermediate section 220 of the second
positioning member 205 can be secured to the second leg 85 of the
anchor 20. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated
embodiments, the positioning members 45 (e.g., positioning members
200 and 205) are secured to the lower portion 65 of the anchor 20
and is embedded in the concrete form 40. The positioning members
200 and 205 can be secured to the respective legs 80 and 85 of the
anchor 20 by welding, a securing device (e.g., bolt, sleeve, joint
and the like), or the like. In the illustrated embodiments, each
positioning member 200 and 205 is secured to the respective leg 80
and 85 of the anchor by a welded joint 290.
[0030] The exemplary positioning assembly 10 further includes at
least one void former 50. The void former 50 can be formed of a
variety of materials such as, for example, rubber, plastic, wood, a
combination of two or more listed materials or any other material
that is easily removable from the concrete (e.g., after hardening).
The void former 50 can include a first portion 305 and a second
portion 310. The first portion 305 and the second portion 310 of
the void former 50 can be held together to create a sufficiently
tight seal between the void former 50 and, at least in part, the
upper portion 60 of the anchor 20. The first portion 305 and the
second portion 310 can be distinct parts (not shown), can be an
integral part (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-8), or can be at least
partially connected together (not shown). The void former 50 can
comprise as few as one part and as many as desired to create a
desired void in the concrete form 40. Similarly, one or more void
formers 50 can be used to create one or more voids in the concrete
around the anchor 20.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 305 and the
second portion 310 is a single part having an upper surface 315,
and the first portion 305 connects to the second portion 310 by a
live hinge 320 included in the upper surface. The void former 50
further includes a recess 325 defined by the upper surface 315. In
the illustrated embodiment, a second hinge 330 is positioned within
the recess 325. The second hinge 330 includes one or more apertures
340 to receive one or more fasteners (not shown), such as a nail,
bolt, screw or the like, to fasten the second hinge 330 to the void
former 50.
[0032] The one or more fasteners (not shown) can also aid in the
removal of the void former 50 from the positioning assembly 20 and
the concrete form 40 (e.g., when the concrete is hardened). For
example, a first bolt (not shown) can be received by a first
aperture 350 positioned at least partially on the first portion 305
of the void former 50, and a second bolt (not shown) can be
received by a second aperture 355 positioned at least partially on
the second portion 310 of the void former 50. To remove the void
former 50 from the positioning assembly 20, a device or user can
force the bolts (not shown) together via the live hinge 320 and the
second hinge 330 such that the first portion 305 and the second
portion 310 are forced apart. When the void former 50 is removed
from the positioning assembly 20 and the concrete form 40, the
concrete form defines a void 400 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] The one or more fasteners (not shown) can also be used to
fasten the void former 50 to a cover 402 substantially covering the
concrete casting frame 25, such as a piece of plywood 402 (shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3). In some embodiments, the cover 402 (e.g., the
plywood) can level concrete when the concrete is cast.
[0034] In some embodiments the positioning assembly 10 allows for
the void former 50, and consequently the anchor 20, to be held in
place by the positioning members 200 and 205 coupled to the
reinforcing members 30. The positioning members 200 and 205 can
hold in place the void former 50 which surrounds the anchor 20.
[0035] In an exemplary implementation, the anchor positioning
system 10 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5-8) is positioned within the
concrete casting frame 25 when the reinforcing members 30 (e.g.,
reinforcing bars 240 and 245) are positioned within the frame 25.
The first end portions 210 of the positioning members 200 and 205
are placed partially around the first reinforcing bar 240, such
that the inner surfaces 252 included in the first end portions 210
couple with the first reinforcing bar 240. The second end portions
215 of the positioning members 200 and 205 are lowered onto the
second reinforcing bar 245 and positioned such as to engage the
second reinforcing bar 245 in a snap fit. When the anchor
positioning system 10 is positioned within the frame 25, the
concrete is poured into the frame 25 covering at least a portion of
the reinforcing members 30 (e.g., reinforcing bars 240 and 245) and
at least a portion of the anchor positioning assembly 10.
[0036] When the concrete hardens (forming a concrete form 40), the
void former 50 is removed from the concrete form 40 exposing a
portion of the anchor 20. As shown in FIG. 1, when the void former
50 is removed and the concrete has formed, at least a part of the
upper portion 60 of the anchor is not immerse in the concrete form
40. A lifting apparatus 405 (shown partially in FIG. 1) such as,
for example, a crane, can engage with the exposed portion of the
anchor 20 to lift the concrete member 40.
[0037] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the
appended claims.
* * * * *