U.S. patent application number 15/684353 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for ground anchor bracket for multiple wall braces.
This patent application is currently assigned to Midwest Concrete & Masonry Supply, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Midwest Concrete & Masonry Supply, Inc.. Invention is credited to Marinus Hansort.
Application Number | 20180058082 15/684353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61241783 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180058082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansort; Marinus |
March 1, 2018 |
GROUND ANCHOR BRACKET FOR MULTIPLE WALL BRACES
Abstract
A ground anchor assembly for supporting at least two wall braces
includes an elongated anchor having a helical lower portion that is
configured to engage a ground or floor surface upon rotation of the
elongated anchor. A multi-connection bracket has a central portion
with an opening that receives an upper portion of the elongated
anchor and lateral portions extending from opposing sides of the
central portion of the bracket. The lateral portions of the bracket
are configured to each engage a lower end of a wall brace. A
fastener is engaged with a hole in the upper portion of the
elongated anchor when the bracket is positioned over the elongated
anchor, such that a head of the fastener contacts the central
portion of the bracket to secure the bracket to the elongated
anchor.
Inventors: |
Hansort; Marinus; (St. Pete
Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Midwest Concrete & Masonry Supply, Inc. |
Naperville |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Midwest Concrete & Masonry
Supply, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
61241783 |
Appl. No.: |
15/684353 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62379282 |
Aug 25, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/26 20130101;
E04G 17/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04G 21/26 20060101
E04G021/26; E04G 17/14 20060101 E04G017/14 |
Claims
1. A ground anchor assembly for supporting at least two wall
braces, said ground anchor assembly comprising: an elongated anchor
comprising a lower portion with a helical shape that is configured
to engage a ground surface; a bracket comprising (i) a central
portion with an opening that receives an upper portion of the
elongated anchor and (ii) lateral portions extending from opposing
sides of the central portion of the bracket, wherein the lateral
portions of the bracket are configured to each engage a lower end
of a wall brace; and a fastener engaged at the upper portion of the
elongated anchor and comprising a head that contacts the central
portion of the bracket to secure the bracket to the elongated
anchor.
2. The ground anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener
engages a hole in the upper portion of the elongated anchor and
extends in general alignment with a longitudinal extent of the
elongated anchor.
3. The ground anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener
includes a threaded engagement with the hole in the upper portion
of the elongated anchor and is configured, upon rotation, to adjust
a length of the ground anchor assembly.
4. The ground anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower portion
of the elongated anchor comprises a plurality of helical sections
configured to engage into the ground at different vertical
levels.
5. The ground anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the lateral
portions of the bracket each include a pair of arms that are
configured to engage opposing sides of the lower end of one of the
wall braces supported by the bracket.
6. The ground anchor assembly of claim 5, wherein a connector
extends between each the pair of arms for engaging the lower end of
the wall brace disposed between the pair of arms.
7. The ground anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the lateral
portions of the bracket extend orthogonally from the central
portion, and wherein the central portion comprises a substantially
rectangular shaped housing with the opening extending centrally
through the central portion of the bracket.
8. A multi-connection bracket for a ground anchor that supports at
least two wall braces, said multi-connection bracket comprising: an
anchor portion having a plurality of walls surrounding an opening
that extends generally linearly through the anchor portion, wherein
the walls are configured to engage around an upper portion of an
elongated ground anchor that is disposed in and extends
longitudinally along the opening; and at least two brace portions
extending laterally from the anchor portion and each configured to
engage a lower end of a wall brace, wherein each brace portion
includes a hole configured to receive a fastener that engages the
lower end of the wall brace.
9. The multi-connection bracket of claim 8, wherein, when the
anchor portion is engaged with the elongated ground anchor, a
fastener extends longitudinally into the opening of the anchor
portion and engages the upper portion of the elongated ground
anchor.
10. The multi-connection bracket of claim 9, wherein the plurality
of walls comprise an upper edge surface that is configured to
engage a head of the fastener that is threadably coupled with the
upper portion of the elongated ground anchor.
11. The multi-connection bracket of claim 8, wherein the brace
portions extend from opposing lateral sides of the anchor portion
to generally evenly distribute loads from the engaged wall braces
to the elongated ground anchor.
12. The multi-connection bracket of claim 8, wherein the brace
portions each include a pair of arms that extend laterally from the
anchor portion and are configured to engage opposing sides of the
lower ends of the wall braces.
13. The multi-connection bracket of claim 12, wherein each arm of
the pair of arms comprises a planar extension of a wall of the
plurality of walls of the anchor portion.
14. The multi-connection bracket of claim 13, wherein the anchor
portion comprises a rectangular box shape having two opposing walls
that are spaced equally from each other and have portions that
extend laterally to provide the pair of arms of the brace
portions.
15. The multi-connection bracket of claim 12, wherein a connector
extends between each the pair of arms for engaging the lower end of
the wall brace disposed between the pair of arms.
16. A method for supporting at least two wall braces at a single
ground anchor, said method comprising: engaging a lower portion of
a ground anchor into a ground surface upon rotation of the ground
anchor, wherein the lower portion includes a helical shape;
disposing a bracket at an upper portion of the ground anchor,
wherein the upper portion extends through an opening in an anchor
portion of the bracket; engaging a fastener with the upper portion
of the ground anchor, wherein a head of the fastener contacts about
the anchor portion of the bracket to secure the bracket to the
ground anchor; and attaching a lower end of two wall braces to
brace portions of the bracket extending laterally from opposing
sides of the anchor portion of the bracket.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the brace portions of the
bracket each include a pair of arms that are configured for the
respective lower end of the wall brace to be engaged between the
pair of arms.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein a fastener extends between each
the pair of arms for engaging the lower end of the wall brace
disposed between the pair of arms.
19. The multi-connection bracket of claim 17, wherein the anchor
portion comprises a plurality of walls surrounding the opening that
extends generally linearly through the anchor portion, and wherein
each arm of the pair of arms comprises a planar extension of a wall
of a plurality of walls of the anchor portion.
20. The multi-connection bracket of claim 17, wherein the anchor
portion comprises a rectangular box shape having two opposing walls
that are spaced equally from each other and have portions that
extend laterally to provide the pair of arms of the brace portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/379,282, filed Aug. 25, 2016,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to wall braces used
to support upright wall panels or forms, and more particularly to
ground anchor assemblies and devices for tilt-up wall braces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is generally known to temporarily brace precast concrete
structures, such as wall panels or forms or the like, in an upright
or vertical orientation with tilt-up wall braces that extend at an
angle from the floor or ground to an elevated portion of the wall.
For example, prefabricated concrete wall panels may be formed on a
flat surface and subsequently lifted or tilted up to an upright or
vertical orientation. Tilt-up wall braces may be attached to the
wall section before or after lifting and positioning the wall
section, and once the wall section is roughly in the desired
position, the lower ends of the braces may be secured to the floor
or ground and the length of the brace may be incrementally adjusted
to fine-tune the vertical alignment of the wall section. The
tilt-up wall braces generally remain in place until additional
structural components are secured to the wall, such as a roof
structure being installed over the supported or braced walls, thus
providing sufficient stability to the building structure to allow
the braces to be safely removed without the tilt-up walls becoming
unstable or shifting. The wall braces commonly include heavy steel
poles and/or adjustable length pipe sections, where an upper end of
each brace has a plate or other coupling that secures to the wall
or wall section and similarly a lower end of each brace provides a
plate or anchor that engages the ground or floor surface. It is
desirable for these wall braces to be secured in place to be able
to maintain alignment of the wall under various conditions,
including wind forces acting on the wall and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a ground anchor assembly or
device with a multi-connection bracket for supporting at least two
wall braces. The upper ends of the wall braces may be attached to
or placed in contact with one or more wall panels or structures,
while the lower ends of the wall braces may be attached at a common
ground anchor, such as an elongated anchor having a helical or
spiral or threaded lower portion that engages a ground surface,
such as upon rotation of the elongated anchor. The multi-connection
bracket engages an upper portion of the ground anchor and provides
multiple attachment locations, such as two locations on a T-shaped
bracket, to each engage and support the lower end of a wall brace.
To support the engagement of multiple wall braces at the
multi-connection bracket, the lower end of the ground anchor has an
anchoring structure that is configured to withstand supportive
forces transmitted from the attached wall braces. The ground anchor
assembly thereby provides a single secure attachment point for at
least two wall braces, so as reduce the ground space occupied by
wall brace anchors and make the wall bracing process generally more
efficient, stable, and reliable.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a ground
anchor assembly for supporting at least two wall braces includes an
elongated anchor that has a helical lower portion that is
configured to engage a ground surface, such as upon rotation of the
elongated anchor. A bracket has a central or anchor portion with an
opening that receives an upper portion of the elongated anchor. The
bracket also has lateral or brace portions that extend laterally
from opposing sides of the central portion of the bracket, where
the lateral portions of the bracket are configured to each engage a
lower end of a wall brace. A fastener is engaged at the upper
portion of the elongated anchor and has a head that contacts the
central portion of the bracket to secure the bracket to the
elongated anchor.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
multi-connection bracket is provided for a ground anchor that
supports at least two wall braces. The multi-connection bracket
includes an anchor portion that has a plurality of walls
surrounding an opening that extends generally linearly through the
anchor portion. The walls are configured to engage around an upper
portion of an elongated ground anchor that is disposed in and
extends longitudinally along the opening. At least two brace
portions extend laterally from the anchor portion and each
configured to engage a lower end of a wall brace. Each brace
portion includes a hole configured to receive a fastener that
engages the lower end of the wall brace.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method is provided for supporting at least two wall braces at a
single ground anchor. A lower portion of a ground anchor is engaged
into a ground surface upon rotation of the ground anchor, where the
lower portion includes a helical shape. A bracket is disposed at an
upper portion of the ground anchor, where the upper portion extends
through an opening in an anchor portion of the bracket. A fastener
engages with the upper portion of the ground anchor, where a head
of the fastener contacts about the anchor portion of the bracket to
secure the bracket to the ground anchor. A lower end of two wall
braces attach to brace portions of the bracket that extend
laterally from opposing sides of the anchor portion of the
bracket.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of upright wall panels
supported by pairs of wall braces that are connected to a ground
anchor assembly, in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 1A is an enlarged section of the perspective view of
FIG. 1, showing one of the ground anchor assemblies engaged into
the ground;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ground anchor assembly
of FIG. 1A, shown disengaged from the ground;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a multi-connection bracket
of the ground anchor assembly shown in FIG. 2, taken from an upper
end of the bracket;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the multi-connection bracket
shown in FIG. 3, taken from a bottom end of the bracket;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the multi-connection
bracket shown in FIG. 3, with a portion of a fastener shown engaged
with a helical anchor, both illustrated in dashed lines;
[0015] FIG. 6 is another elevational view of the multi-connection
bracket shown in FIG. 3,
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the multi-connection bracket shown
in FIG. 3, with bolts shown extending through lateral portions of
the bracket to engage the wall braces; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the multi-connection
bracket shown in FIG. 3, with an interior of the bracket shown
engaged with a helical anchor, illustrated in dashed lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a ground anchor assembly or device 10
is provided with a multi-connection bracket 12 for engaging and
supporting at least two wall braces 14. The wall braces 14, such
as, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, generally extend at an angle
from the floor or ground 16 to an elevated portion of a wall
section 18 to temporarily support the wall sections 18 in a desired
upright or vertical position, such as during construction of an
associated building or structure or the like. The upper ends 14a of
the wall braces 14 may be attached at or temporarily fixed to the
wall section 18, such as with fasteners, anchors, couplings, or the
like to secure the upper ends 14a of the wall braces 14 before or
after lifting and positioning the wall sections and before or after
securing or attaching the lower ends 14b of the wall braces 14 to
the ground or an anchor assembly 10. The lower ends 14b of the two
or more wall braces 14 may be attached at the multi-connection
bracket 12 of the ground anchor assembly 10, where the ground
anchor assembly 10 may include an elongated anchor 20 having a
lower portion 20a with a helical or spiral or threaded shape that
is configured to engage the ground surface 16. Thus, a single
anchor 20 and associated anchor assembly 10 may be driven into and
secured in the ground to simultaneously support multiple wall
braces 14.
[0019] The wall braces 14 disposed between the wall and ground
attachment points 22a, 22b (FIG. 1) may extend generally linearly
between the upper and lower ends 14a, 14b of the wall braces 14 to
provide direct supportive load paths. The wall braces 14 may
comprise steel poles, adjustable length pipe sections, or the like,
such as the illustrated wall braces 14, which each provide length
adjustability via an adjustable screw 24 engaged at the lower end
14 of a pole section 26 of the wall brace 14 (FIG. 2). These
adjustable screws 24 thread into and out of a hole formed in a
rotation connection or the lower end of the pole 26 to provide
threaded adjustability to the overall length of the wall braces 14.
It is also contemplated that additional embodiments may also
include different types or sizes of wall braces attached at a
single anchor assembly.
[0020] To secure the lower end 14b of each wall brace 14 to the
ground or floor surface, the ground anchor assembly 10 may be
provided with an anchor 20 that has a lower portion 20a that is
driven into or otherwise anchored with the floor or ground surface.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the lower portion 20b of the elongated
anchor 20 includes a central shank 28 that may be surrounded by a
helical or spiral or threaded portion 30. The illustrated helical
portion 30 is divided into multiple sections 30a, 30b, 30c (FIG. 2)
along the central shank 28, such that each helical section can be
configured differently, such as with different thread angles, to
engage at various depths of ground, such as ground that has
different soil compressions and/or types. However, it is understood
that the helical portion may alternatively be formed continuously
along the shank portion and/or formed in various shapes or thread
patterns and arranged different ways to provide the function of
engaging the ground and preventing vertical withdrawal of the
elongated anchor from the ground, such as due to forces acting on
the wall sections.
[0021] The upper portion 20b of the elongated anchor 20 is attached
to the multi-connection bracket 12 (FIG. 2). The bracket 12 has a
central portion 32 with an opening 34 that receives the upper
portion 20b through the opening 34 in the bracket 12. The central
portion 32 may have a tubular shape or a substantially
rectangular-shaped housing with an opening extending generally
centrally through the central portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 3-8.
The opening 34 may also be shaped to correspond with the shape of
the upper portion 20b of the elongated ground anchor 20 that
extends through the central portion 32 for securing the central
portion 32 to the ground anchor 20. As shown for example in FIG. 2,
in the illustrated embodiment the opening 34 has a generally square
cross-sectional shape that corresponds with the cross-sectional
shape of the upper portion 20a of the elongated anchor 20.
[0022] When the central portion 32 of the bracket 12 is positioned
over the elongated ground anchor 20, as shown in FIG. 5, a fastener
35, such as a bolt, may extend through the opening 34 in the
central portion 32 and engage the upper portion 20b of the
elongated anchor 20, such that a head 35a of the fastener 35
contacts an upper surface of the bracket 12 at the central portion
thereof for securing the multi-connection bracket 12 to the
elongated anchor 20. A threaded shank 35b of the fastener 35 may
threadably engage or secure in a corresponding hole in the upper
portion 20b of the elongated anchor 20. The hole in the upper
portion 20b of the elongated anchor 20 may extend generally
centrally into the upper portion 20b in substantial alignment with
the longitudinal extent of the elongated anchor 20. With use of the
threaded connection between the fastener 35 and the elongated
anchor 20, it is conceivable that the fastener 35 may operate to
simultaneously adjust the length of both or all the wall braces 14
attached to the ground anchor 20 by threading the fastener 35 into
and out of the upper portion 20b of the elongated ground anchor
20.
[0023] To provide the multiple connection locations for the wall
braces 14 on the multi-connection bracket 12, lateral portions 36
are provided extending from sides of the central portion 32 of the
multi-connection bracket 12 and each lateral portion provides an
attachment feature 36a or area that is configured to engage the
lower end 14b of one of the wall braces 14. As illustrated in FIGS.
3-8, the two lateral portions 36 extend generally orthogonally from
opposing sides the of the central portion 32, in general linear
alignment with each other to generally form a T-shape. However, it
is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the lateral
portions may be differently shaped and/or additional lateral
portions or the like may be provided on the bracket to attach and
support additional wall braces. The illustrated lateral portions 36
each have a pair of arms 38 that are generally planar and spaced
apart substantially equally from each other to engage opposing
sides of the lower end 14b of a wall brace 14 disposed between the
pair of arms 38. A shown in FIG. 7, the pair of arms 38 may each
include a hole 40 that is configured to receive a connector or
fastener 42 that extends between the pair of arms 36 for engaging
through the lower end portion of the wall brace 14, such as an
aperture in the adjustable screw 24 (FIG. 2) at the lower end of
the wall brace 14. The fasteners 42 that are illustrated engaging
ends of the wall braces at the attachment feature 36a include bolts
secured in place with nuts, although it is understood that the
fasteners may also or alternatively include rivets, cotter pins, or
other conceivable types of fasteners. It is also conceivable that
additional embodiments of the multi-connection bracket may be
integrally formed as part of the ground anchor or permanently fixed
to the ground anchor, such as via welding, adhesive, or the
like.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the central portion 32 of the
multi-connection bracket 12 may have lateral openings 44 that align
with each other through the side walls of the central portion 32,
such as shown extending in substantial alignment with the lateral
portions 36 of the multi-connection bracket 12. The lateral
openings may receive an additional fastener that passes laterally
through the elongated ground anchor 20 and/or the fastener 35, such
to provide additional support at the interface with the
multi-connection bracket 12.
[0025] Accordingly, the method for supporting at least two wall
braces at a single ground anchor includes engaging the lower
portion of the ground anchor into a ground surface by rotating the
ground anchor about its longitudinal axis, such that the helical
shape at the lower portion of the ground anchor drives into and
secures at a location, such as to drive downward and secure into
the ground soil. Securing a ground anchor in such a manner is
desirable to form a secured anchor connection, although it is
desirable to reduce the number of secured anchor connections to
reduce the disturbance to the ground and to reduce the labor to set
a tilt-up wall brace. The multi-connection bracket is, thus,
positioned over an upper portion of the secured ground anchor, such
that the upper portion of the ground anchor extends into or through
the opening in the central portion of the bracket. A fastener is
then engaged with the hole in the upper portion of the ground
anchor, such that a head of the fastener contacts the central
portion of the bracket about the hole to secure the bracket to the
ground anchor. With the multi-connection bracket secured to the
ground anchor, a lower end of a wall braces may be attached to each
of the lateral portions of the bracket that extend from the sides
of the central portion of the bracket. With respect to the general
installation or attachment or formation, the steps discussed herein
may be performed in various different sequences from those
discussed to result engaging, disengaging, or forming the ground
anchor assembly or components thereof.
[0026] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "upper," "lower,"
"right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly
specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the
specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in this specification are simply exemplary
embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended
claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical
characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are
not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
[0027] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments may be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law. The disclosure has been
described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood
that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the
nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many
modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible
in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *