Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-09
2001-12-11
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
C052S707000, C052S127120, C403S305000, C403S306000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327829
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connecting structure for concrete block which is useful to connect concrete blocks at construction sites and a connector to be used in this connecting structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Concrete blocks which are used for building concrete structures such as beams, retaining walls, covered conduits (culverts) and aqueducts are manufactured at locations other than construction sites for enhancing working efficiencies, precisions and quality control levels. When the concrete blocks themselves are large and heavy or have complicated forms, however, they not only increase burdens imposed on transportation works and costs but also require large storage spaces.
Accordingly, it is practiced in these days to preliminarily manufacture the concrete blocks in divided forms, carry these divided blocks to construction sites and connect these divided blocks as occasion demands. For example, a block for a covered conduit which has a predetermined form is preliminarily manufactured as divided upper and lower blocks
201
and
202
, and the divided blocks
201
and
202
are connected to each other at a construction site.
Cavities
201
a
and
202
a
are formed at intervals in ends of connecting side surfaces of the divided blocks
201
and
202
. Further, ends
201
b
and
202
b
of internal reinforcement buried in the blocks are exposed in the cavities
201
a
and
202
a.
To couple the divided blocks
201
with
202
, the two divided blocks
201
and
202
are combined as shown in the drawing with a packing (not shown) interposed. These divided blocks
201
and
202
are integrated by welding the ends
201
b
and
202
b
of the internal reinforcement respectively which are opposed to each other.
However, the connecting method described above requires a prettily long time to complete a series of connecting works even when a plurality of welding workers are engaged with the works since five to ten minutes is necessary to weld the ends of the internal reinforcements at one location, and tends to allow welding qualities to be variable dependently on environmental conditions and abilities of workers.
Further, the packing cannot be sufficiently pressed at the connecting stage simply by welding the ends
201
b
and
202
b
of the internal reinforcement to each other. In other words, the two divided blocks
201
and
202
can hardly be connected in an adequate pressure contact condition with the packing interposed, thereby making it difficult to maintain expected airtightness and watertightness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a connecting structure for concrete block which is capable of firmly connecting concrete blocks in an adequate pressure contact condition.
In order to accomplish this object, the present invention provides a connecting structure of concrete block to connect concrete blocks mutually comprising a connecting rod disposed in a concrete block so that an end thereof is exposed in a vicinity of a connecting surface of said concrete block, a connecting rod disposed in another concrete block so that an end thereof is exposed in a vicinity of a connecting surface of said concrete block, and a connector for exerting an attracting forces to the exposed ends of the connecting rods in a condition where the concrete blocks are combined so as to oppose the connecting rods to each other and maintaining the attracting forces.
This connecting structure is capable of firmly connecting the concrete blocks to each other in an adequate pressure contact condition since the connectors exert the forces to the exposed ends respectively of the connecting rods opposed to each other in the directions to attract them toward each other and maintains the condition where the connectors exert the predetermined attracting forces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which is useful for the connecting structure described above.
In order to accomplish this object, the present invention provides a connector to be used for mutually connecting concrete blocks in which ends of connecting rods are exposed in the vicinities of a connecting surface of said concrete blocks comprising a cylindrical external thread member which has an external thread portion and is rotatably fitted to the exposed end of the connecting rod of one of the concrete blocks, and a cylindrical internal thread member which has an internal thread hole corresponding to the external thread portion and is rotatably fitted to the exposed end of the connecting rod of the other concrete block.
By tightening the external thread member and the internal thread member to each other in a condition where the external thread member is rotatably fitted over the exposed end of the connecting rod of one of the concrete blocks and the internal thread member is rotatably fitted over the exposed end of the connecting rod of the other concrete block, the connector is capable of exerting the forces to the exposed ends of the connecting rods opposed to each other in directions to attract them toward each other and maintaining a condition where it exerts predetermined attracting forces.
The object described above, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.
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Glessner Brian E.
Kaieitechno Co., Ltd.
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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