U.S. patent application number 12/677423 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for channel.
Invention is credited to Pak Sum Yau.
Application Number | 20110173920 12/677423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40430371 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110173920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yau; Pak Sum |
July 21, 2011 |
CHANNEL
Abstract
A channel anchoring device (100) having predetermined structural
properties, for securing construction elements to a metallic
structure, the anchoring device (100) comprising a generally
elongate metallic channel rail (110) having an engagement surface
for engagement with a fastener, the fastener providing fixation of
a construction element to the channel rail (110), and a generally
elongate metallic fixation member (120) abutted against and engaged
with said channel rail (110), wherein the fixation member (120) is
engaged with the channel rail (110), said fixation member being
formed from a material suitable for allowing welded fixation of the
anchoring device (100) to a structure. The fixation member (120)
and the channel rail (110) are engaged by a riveting process such
that the predetermined structural properties of the channel rail
(110) are not altered by heat generated during the riveting
process; and the fixation member (120) is sized such that the
predetermined structural properties of the channel rail (110) are
not altered by heat generated from welding of the anchoring device
(100) via the fixation member to a structure.
Inventors: |
Yau; Pak Sum; (New
Territories, CN) |
Family ID: |
40430371 |
Appl. No.: |
12/677423 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
September 11, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2008/072340 |
371 Date: |
April 26, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/710 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/4107 20130101;
F16B 37/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/710 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2007 |
CN |
200710045762.3 |
Claims
1. A channel anchoring device having predetermined structural
properties, for securing construction elements to a metallic
structure, the anchoring device comprising: a generally elongate
metallic channel rail having an engagement surface for engagement
with a fastener, the fastener providing fixation of a construction
element to the channel rail; a generally elongate metallic fixation
member abutted against and engaged with said channel rail, said
fixation member being formed from a material suitable for allowing
welded fixation of the anchoring device to a structure;
characterised in that the fixation member and the channel rail are
engaged by a riveting process such that the predetermined
structural properties of the channel rail are not altered by heat
generated during the riveting process; and the fixation member is
sized such that the predetermined structural properties of the
channel rail are not altered by heat generated from welding of the
anchoring device via the fixation member to a structure.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation member is
engaged with the channel rail by a plurality of rivet members
extending through the fixation member and through at least a
portion of the channel rail.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the channel rail is of a
hollow "C" cross section having a pair inwardly opposed flanges,
said flange being separated so as to allow passage of the shank of
a fastener therebetween, said fastener having a head of size
greater than the shank and sized so as to be disposed within the
channel and adapted to abut with engagement surfaces located
adjacent the flanges upon being urged against the engagement
surfaces upon application of tension to the fastener.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the channel rail is
formed from hot-rolled steel or steel material by a hot rolling
process.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation member is
formed from hot-rolled steel or steel material by a hot rolling
process.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surfaces
of the flanges includes a plurality of laterally disposed
serrations, said plurality of serration extending longitudinally
along the length of the channel rail.
7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the fastener is a T-bolt,
and the head of T-bolt includes serration adapted for cooperative
and complimentary engagement with the serrations of the
flanges.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the width of the head of
the T-bolt is greater than the internal width of the channel rail,
so as to prevent continuous rotation of the T-bolt about its
axis.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation process is a
hot riveting process.
10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the channel rail and
fixation member each have a corresponding series of apertures
extending therethrough, so as to allow passage of the rivets
therethrough, a least the apertures of fixation member including a
rebated portion to allow a portion of the rivets when forged to be
located therein.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the rebates is a
countersunk or counterbore section.
12. A channel anchoring device for construction industry, which
comprises a channel rail with a hollow interior and a T-bolt,
anchor shafts or steel base plates attached onto the exterior
surface of the web of the channel rail, the channel anchoring
device with anchor shafts is suitable to be embedded into a
concrete structure, while the channel anchoring device with steel
base plates is suitable to be welded onto a steel structure, the
T-bolts are inserted into a gap between the return legs of two
flanges of the channel rail; characterized in that the said channel
rail with a hollow interior is an anchor channel, preferably
manufactured from hot-rolled steel or steel material by the process
of hot rolling; the said flanges of two legs of anchor channel are
separated from each other, the width of the gap is slightly larger
than the diameter of the shank of inserted T-bolt, and the head of
T-bolt is locked within the flanges of two legs of anchor channel;
on the inner surface of the said flanges of two legs of anchor
channel, continuously outspread serrations are arranged
respectively; on the lower surface of the said head of T-bolt,
continuously outspread serrations are arranged; the serrations of
T-bolt head connect with the serrations on the flanges of two legs
of anchor channel in an engaged lock.
13. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the said anchor shaft
attached to the anchor channel has a smooth shaft shank, a shaft
base and a shaft head, the shaft head is a protruded one in the
shape of disc, whose area is larger than that of the shaft
base.
14. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the said base of anchor
shaft is welded to install onto the web of anchor channel, namely
the base is installed onto the exterior face of the web of anchor
channel by means of electric arc fusion welding firstly, then the
rim of base is attached to the wall of anchor channel by means of
fillet welding.
15. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the said base plates
attached to the anchor channel are in the form of square or
rectangle.
16. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the said base plates can
be attached to the anchor-channel with hot rivets.
17. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the said head of T-bolt
is a bolt head in the form of parallelogram, the serrations are
respectively arranged on the lower surface of two shorter side
portions of the bolt head.
18. The channel anchoring device for construction industry
according to claim 12, characterized that the serrations of T-bolt
head enjoy the same size and tooth space with the serrations on the
return legs of two flanges of the anchor channel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a channel device formed
from a metal or metallic material for the fixation of construction
elements thereto, generally for the construction industry. More
particularly, the present invention relates to fixation of a
channel device to a structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various channel devices of conventional type are known that
are manufactured by the process of die casting, cold rolling, or
hot rolling, which comprise a channel rail having a hollow interior
and one or more anchor shafts attached thereto. Channel devices, as
known within the prior art, are attachable to a structure, such as
a concrete or steel structure, and allow the fixation of other
construction elements, such as panels thereto, so as to engage the
construction elements with the structure.
[0003] The anchor shafts attached to the exterior surface of the
web of the channel and embedded into the concrete. A T-shape bolt
(hereinafter called T-bolt) can be inserted into the gap between
the return legs of two flanges of the anchor channel rail, whose
head is fixed within the flanges. Since the inner surfaces of both
the T-bolt head and the channel wall are smooth, such type of
anchoring device cannot effectively prevent a shift of the T-bolt
along the channel. Moreover, the channel anchor shafts of above
mentioned type are normally larger in size and may sometimes
conflict with the reinforced concrete installation, in particular
with the outermost layer of steel reinforcement bars.
[0004] As known, another common way of attaching other construction
elements to a concrete structure is to use an embedded steel part
comprising a steel plate with steel re-bars attached to the back.
The embedded steel part is cast into the concrete only with the
`face of the steel plate exposed. The construction element is
attached to a set of steel brackets, which are attached in sequence
onto the exposed face of the embedded steel part by site welding.
Comparatively, the size and weight of the embedded steel part is
much larger and heavier than that of the steel channel anchor
mentioned above so as to bear the same amount of load. Moreover,
the steel re-bars required on the embedded steel part are also more
in quantity and longer in length and thus causing much more
interference to reinforced concrete installation.
[0005] For other structures, for example steel structures whereby a
channel may be required to be fixed to a steel construction member,
within the prior art such channels may be welded directly to the
steel structure by on site welding.
[0006] Such channel devices must comply with various building codes
and standards, so as to securely maintain engagement and fixation
of construction elements with a structure. Furthermore, such
channels must be securely fixed to the structure so as to ensure
that the construction elements are maintained in place, and that
environmental factors such as moisture, rain, high wind forces,
seismic activity, do not compromise the integrity of fixation, as
loosening of construction elements may have severe consequences to
surrounding persons and property.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a channel anchoring device which substantially ameliorates
at lease some of the deficiencies as exhibited by those of the
prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a channel
anchoring device having predetermined structural properties, for
securing construction elements to a metallic structure, the
anchoring device comprising:
[0009] a generally elongate metallic channel rail having an
engagement surface for engagement with a fastener, the fastener
providing fixation of a construction element to the channel
rail;
[0010] a generally elongate metallic fixation member abutted
against and engaged with said channel rail, said fixation member
being formed from a material suitable for allowing welded fixation
of the anchoring device to a structure;
[0011] characterised in that the fixation member and the channel
rail are engaged by a riveting process such that the predetermined
structural properties of the channel rail are not altered by heat
generated during the riveting process; and
[0012] the fixation member is sized such that the predetermined
structural properties of the channel rail are not altered by heat
generated from welding of the anchoring device via the fixation
member to a structure.
[0013] Preferably the fixation member is engaged with the channel
rail by a plurality of rivet members extending through the fixation
member and through at least a portion of the channel rail.
[0014] Preferably, the channel rail is of a hollow "C" cross
section having a pair inwardly opposed flanges, said flange being
separated so as to allow passage of the shank of a fastener
therebetween, said fastener having a head of size greater than the
shank and sized so as to be disposed within the channel and adapted
to abut with engagement surfaces located adjacent the flanges upon
being urged against the engagement surfaces upon application of
tension to the fastener.
[0015] Preferably, the channel rail is formed from hot-rolled steel
or steel material by a hot rolling process, and the fixation member
is formed from hot-rolled steel or steel material by a hot rolling
process. The fixation process may be a hot riveting process.
[0016] The engagement surfaces of the flanges preferably includes a
plurality of laterally disposed serrations, said plurality of
serration extending longitudinally along the length of the channel
rail. The fastener is preferably a T-bolt, and the head of T-bolt
includes serration adapted for cooperative and complimentary
engagement with the serrations of the flanges. The width of the
head of the T-bolt is preferably greater than the internal width of
the channel rail, so as to prevent continuous rotation of the
T-bolt about its axis.
[0017] Preferably the channel rail and fixation member each have a
corresponding series of apertures extending therethrough, so as to
allow passage of the rivets therethrough, a least the apertures of
fixation member including a rebated portion to allow a portion of
the rivets when forged to be located therein. The rebate may be a
countersunk or counterbore section.
[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a channel
anchoring device for construction industry, which comprises a
channel rail with a hollow interior and a T-bolt, anchor shafts or
steel base plates attached onto the exterior surface of the web of
the channel rail, the channel anchoring device with anchor shafts
is suitable to be embedded into a concrete structure, while the
channel anchoring device with steel base plates is suitable to be
welded onto a steel structure, the T-bolts are inserted into a gap
between the return legs of two flanges of the channel rail;
characterized in that the said channel rail with a hollow interior
is an anchor channel, preferably manufactured from hot-rolled steel
or steel material by the process of hot rolling; the said flanges
of two legs of anchor channel are separated from each other, the
width of the gap is slightly larger than the diameter of the shank
of inserted T-bolt, and the head of T-bolt is locked within the
flanges of two legs of anchor channel; on the inner surface of the
said flanges of two legs of anchor channel, continuously outspread
serrations are arranged respectively; on the lower surface of the
said head of T-bolt, continuously outspread serrations are
arranged; the serrations of T-bolt head connect with the serrations
on the flanges of two legs of anchor channel in an engaged
lock.
[0019] Preferably the anchor shaft is attached to the anchor
channel has a smooth shaft shank, a shaft base and a shaft head,
the shaft head is a protruded one in the shape of disc, whose area
is larger than that of the shaft base.
[0020] Preferably the base of anchor shaft is welded to install
onto the web of anchor channel, namely the base is installed onto
the exterior face of the web of anchor channel by means of electric
are fusion welding firstly, then the rim of base is attached to the
wall of anchor channel by means of fillet welding.
[0021] Preferably the base plates attached to the anchor channel
are in the form of square or rectangle.
[0022] Preferably the base plates can be attached to the
anchor-channel with hot rivets.
[0023] Preferably the head of T-bolt is a bolt head in the form of
parallelogram, the serrations are respectively arranged on the
lower surface of two shorter side portions of the bolt head.
[0024] Preferably the serrations of T-bolt head enjoy the same size
and tooth space with the serrations on the return legs of two
flanges of the anchor channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in further detail below by way of examples and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:--
[0026] FIG. 1 is the side view of an embodiment of a channel
anchoring device according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is the cross sectional view of C-C in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is the side view of one embodiment of the channel
rail of the anchoring device applicable to the first and second
aspects of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is the cross sectional view of A-A in FIG. 3
[0030] FIG. 5 is the cross sectional view of B-B in FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 6 is the structural view of the T-bolt of the channel
anchoring device in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 7 is the top view of the T-bolt showed in FIG. 6.
[0033] FIG. 8 is the detailed structural view of the T-bolt with
serrations in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary
embodiment of a channel anchoring device according to the present
invention. The channel anchoring device 100 includes a generally
elongate channel rail 110 and a generally elongate fixation member
120. The fixation member 120 is abutted against the channel rail
110 so that the two form a unitary structure that forms the
anchoring device 100. The channel rail 110 and fixation member 120
are joined by a series of rivets 130, which extend longitudinally
along the length of the anchoring device 100. A plurality of
apertures 140 extend through the channel rail 110 and a
complimentary series of apertures 150 extend through the fixation
member, the apertures providing passage for the rivets 130 to
extend therethrough.
[0035] The apertures 150 of the fixation member 130 may be
countable, countersunk or the like so as to allow the rivets 130 to
be contained therein upon being forged, so as to provide a surface
of the fixation member which is free of protrusions from the rivets
130, which allows for the anchoring device to be abutted against a
metallic structure 160 to which it is to be attached.
[0036] The anchoring device 100 is fixed to the metallic structure
160 by welds 170 as depicted in FIG. 2. The welds 170, are
implemented on-site when the anchoring device is implemented within
the application as desired or required. As is known and will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, anchoring devices 100 as
in the present invention must withstand large tensile and sheer
loads experienced due to loads placed upon the construction
elements for which the anchoring devices 100 must secure to a
structure.
[0037] Various building and construction codes exist throughout the
world, and these must be vigorously complied with when providing
and utilizing anchoring devices due to safety requirements.
Non-compliance and failure of such devices may result in loss of
lift and loss or damage to property, both of which have significant
adverse effects and are considered unacceptable.
[0038] The anchoring device 100 must secure the structural
elements, securely and the manner in which the structural elements
are secured channel rail 110 of the anchoring device 100 is
described further below in detail with respect to FIGS. 3-8.
However, as is known by those skilled in the art, channel rails in
the present technical field must not be affected by any factors
which may compromise their structural or strength integrity, due to
the consequences as recited above.
[0039] The present invention, by providing a fixation member 120
which is formed and provided separately from the channel rail 110
provides for removing heat concentration during the welding
process, thus substantially ameliorating any heat effect from
welding which may compromise the integrity of the rail channel
110.
[0040] Very high tensile loads are placed upon the channel rail 110
in practice, as will be appreciated and known by those skilled in
the art, and it is paramount to not affect the structural
properties of the channel rail 110 during the fixation process.
[0041] Further, by using a riveting process which may be a hot
rivet process, the present invention provides a readily formable
anchoring device which overcomes the problem of heat damage to the
channel rail 110 whilst allowing for ease of manufacture and
formation of the anchoring device 100.
[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that formation and
manufacture of a channel rail 100 which is suitably sized,
toleranced, and includes the requisite features so as to secure
construction elements to a structure is of high position, and such
devices are typically formed by a hot rolling process wherein the
manufacturing process has been optimized so as to provide and
produce a suitable channel rail. As those will also be appreciated,
by welding such a channel rail directly to a metallic structure
apply excess heat to the channel rail which will affect the
pre-defined mechanical and structural properties of that channel
rail.
[0043] Thus, by providing a fixation member 120 as in the present
invention, the anchoring device 100 allows the utilization of a
channel rail 110 in conjunction with a metallic structure, such as
an I-beam or RSJ type structure, those of which are prevalent in
the construction industry.
[0044] Thus, the present invention allows implementation of channel
rails in such applications, so as to allow construction elements,
such as curtain walls, to be implemented in the construction
industry, whilst not compromising upon structural integrity or
human and property safety.
[0045] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
by providing a series of rivet-type engagement mechanisms between
the channel rail 110 and the fixation member 120, would not
adversely affect production costs or time, as such a process may be
easily automated, and not impact upon production or delivery
time.
[0046] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that although
a single series of rivets has been used to engage the channel rail
110 with the fixation member 120, other arrangements or even
fixation members may be implemented, without departing from the
scope of the invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that when implementing such a rivet arrangement, it is
necessary to provide rivets formed from an appropriate material
such as steel which are also appropriately sized so as to maintain
the load requirements as experienced by a anchoring device 100 in
typical and adverse industrial applications. For example, such
rivets may have a diameter in typical applications of 8-10
kilometres and be utilized in a countersunk process.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 3. to FIG. 8, one a channel rail 110
which may be implemented in the anchoring device 100 of them
present invention is depicted. In should be understood and noted
that although the channel rail is depicted in reference to being
used in conjunction with members which allow embedding in concrete
in other construction applications in accordance with other aspects
of the present invention, the features of the channel rail are
equally applicable to the embodiment of the first aspect as
depicted in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and no limitations should
be inferred by the depiction of the members for embedding on
concrete.
[0048] The channel rail 110 is a channel rail 110 with a hollow
interior, which is made from hot rolled steel or stainless steel
material by the process of hot-rolling. The two flanges 13 of the
anchor channel 110 are separated from each other, and the T-bolt 5
is inserted into the gap 11 between two flanges 13 of the anchor
channel 110, the width of the said gap 11 is slightly larger than
the diameter of the shank of inserted T-bolt 5, the head of T-bolt
5 is locked within the return legs 13 of two flanges of the anchor
channel 1.
[0049] On the inner surface of the two flanges 13 of the anchor
channel 110 are laterally extending serrations 14 which are
arranged in a servies longitudinally along the length of the
channel rail 110. The serrations in this embodiment which form the
toothed surfaces 15.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 specifically, on the lower
surface of the head of T-bolt 5, continuously outspread serrations
52 are also arranged; the serrations 52 of T-bolt 5 head enjoy the
same size and tooth space with the serrations 14 on the flanges 13
of two legs of the channel rail 110. The serrations 52 of T-bolt 5
head connect with the serrations 14 on the flanges 13 of two legs
of the anchor channel 1 in the engaged lock.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, the head of T-bolt 5 is a bolt head 51
in the form of parallelogram, the serrations 52 are respectively
arranged on the lower surface of two shorter side portions of the
bolt head 51. The head 51 of T-bolt 5 is designed as parallelogram,
so that the T-bolt 5 can be turned easily after it has been
inserted into the gap 11 of the anchor channel 1, thus the
serrations 52 on the head 51 of T-bolt 5 can be engaged to lock
onto the serrations 14 of the return legs 13 of two flanges of the
anchor channel 1. When the T-bolt 5 is locked onto the anchor
channel 1, nuts can be used to screw it down after another element
has been attached with the bolt (Not shown). Therefore, the T-bolt
5 is completely locked by both the serrations 14 on the anchor
channel 1 and the serrations 52 on the bolt head 51, which will not
be slid towards any directions under the permitted working
load.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 the anchor shaft 2 attached to
the anchor channel 1 having smooth shaft shank 22, shaft base 21
and shaft head 23, the shaft head 23 is a protruded one in the
shape of disc, whose area is larger than the area of shaft base
21.
[0053] The base 21 of anchor shaft 2 is welded to install on the
web 12 of the anchor channel 1, namely the base 21 is installed
onto the wall 12 of the anchor channel 1 by means of electric are
fusion welding 4, then the rim of shaft base 21 is attached to the
wall 12 of the anchor channel 1 by means of fillet welding 3,
namely the fillet welding 3 is performed around the rim of shaft
base 21. Thus, the anchor shaft 2 can be installed on the anchor
channel 1 firmly through said twice welding, to secure the safety
sufficiently. This dual-weld configuration increases the factor of
safety and provides significant advantages. It must be understood
that in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the fusion
weld is first effect, which is then followed by the fillet weld.
This is a commercially advantageous process from a manufacturing
standpoint. Further, by having more than twice the factor of safety
as a single weld, safety has been assured. Further, the fillet weld
protects the fusion weld from oxidation and environmental factors.
Also, the combination of welds increases both the tensile load and
sheer load capabilities.
[0054] Accordingly, for the common skilled technician in the art,
it is to be understood that the said embodiments have been
described only for the present invention and not for purposes of
limitation on the present invention. Within the actual spirit and
scope of the invention, any variation for the embodiment in the
form and details that will be subject to the range of the invention
claims. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the appended
claims.
[0055] While the present invention has been explained by reference
to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will
be appreciated that those are examples to assist understanding of
the present invention and are not meant to be restrictive.
Variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to persons
skilled in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be
considered as equivalents of this invention.
* * * * *