Apparatus and method for anchoring and erecting concrete or...

Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With lifting or handling means for primary component or... – Construction or component having means to engage hand or...

Reexamination Certificate

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C052S125300, C052S125600, C052S127120, C052S700000, C411S400000, C411S407000, C294S001200, C294S089000, C403S305000, C403S307000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06345472

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to concrete assembly systems, and specifically to a concrete anchoring, lifting, erection, and construction apparatus and method that provide removability, reusability and ease of use. The present invention lends itself to various applications, including, for example, buildings, freeways, and other heavy construction which involve erection and assembly of large panels or columns of material such as pre-cast or cast-in-place concrete.
Heavy panels or other pieces of construction material are conventionally transported, raised and positioned for assembly with the use of anchors and lift systems such as those depicted in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,554 to Schilla, et al. Referring to
FIG. 1A
, for example, such prior art systems may include a permanently cast plate
1
, mounted perpendicularly to a permanently cast anchor
2
, which is connected a hook mechanism
3
, and secured by an anchoring bolt
4
. Cranes or similar devices are attached to the hook
3
, and the panel is then transported, raised and positioned as needed.
Similarly, referring to
FIG. 1B
, such systems may include a surface lifting plate
5
, connected to a hook mechanism
6
and mounted onto a permanently cast anchor
7
, secured by an anchoring bolt
8
. Such systems may further incorporate a permanently cast sleeve
9
, which is secured to and creates a cavity about a permanently cast anchor
7
, in order to permit the subsequent injection of grout or a similar adhesive compound (for affixing the panel or column in a permanent location), as generally described below in connection with
FIGS. 1C and 1D
.
In order to accomplish lifting and positioning of one or more panels in these prior art systems, the user typically casts several plates and anchors into each such panel, attaches hooks (although some prior art applications include hook-anchor combinations) and bolts (either before or after casting of the panel), and further takes the time to detach the hooks (if possible) and bolts after positioning, but before final assembly. The assembly and disassembly of such systems are cumbersome and time consuming (thereby increasing the risk to nearby workers and equipment), have very tight tolerances, and require the user to leave at least the anchor and plates in or on the panels even after final assembly.
Other prior art panel connection systems involve similar limitations. Examples of such other systems include permanently cast sleeves, such as depicted in
FIGS. 1C and 1D
, and plate connections, such as depicted in FIG.
2
.
In a permanently cast sleeve system such as depicted in
FIGS. 1C and 1D
, a grout sleeve
105
typically is used to create void space in the column or panel, into which a connecting mechanism such as conventional rebar
106
may be inserted. Tubes
107
can then be used to inject grout or a similar adhesive into the void space surrounding rebar
106
. As shown in
FIG. 1D
, several grout sleeves
105
may be cast into a column or panel along with pieces of conventional rebar
106
, so that void space created by the grout sleeves
105
is capable of receiving the rebar
108
protruding from and cast into a separate column or panel
109
. Such sleeves may also include threaded inner surfaces to permit threaded connection with anchor and hook lift assemblies similar to those discussed above, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,198 to McMillan. Even more complex insert assembly systems for creating void space in such materials are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,362 to Mess and U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,715 to Capers.
In a plate connection system such as shown in
FIG. 2
, rebar
250
is set into the panel or column, and an exposed metal plate
260
is then connected (typically via welding) to the rebar. When adjoining panels or columns are to be connected (including when a panel is to be anchored to a foundation or footing), the metal plate
260
is then welded to corresponding metal plate
270
, as illustrated by the arrow in FIG.
2
.
Like the anchor and plate lift systems discussed above, other previously known connection systems (including both sleeve and plate types) require the user to leave substantial single-use accessory materials permanently cast in the panel or column after final assembly, thus increasing construction costs due to inability to reuse some or all of those components of the system. Moreover, the components which remain in the panel or column arc typically made of metal, thus increasing the possibility of rust, and consequently, decay and possible failure of the connection. In addition, the substantial cost of single-use prior art equipment often results in an insufficient number of components being used in a given application, thereby further increasing the risk of such failure.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an apparatus for use in the assembly of concrete material, characterized by a body having a first portion configured to be set into concrete during the casting of that concrete, and which can be removed from the concrete after the concrete has set, and thereby may be reused in a similar manner with other concrete. The body of the apparatus preferably includes a serrated exterior surface to increase the adhesion that may be achieved when joining parts together, and to enable the dispersion of lifting and load forces during transportation of the concrete, as described herein. Certain configurations of serrations can also facilitate removal of the apparatus from the concrete after casting. The serrated exterior may be preferably configured to interferingly engage with at least one reinforcing element formed in the concrete, in order to assist in lifting or other positioning of the concrete for assembly.
Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the aforementioned body is generally cylindrical and includes a second portion configured to facilitate rotation of the first portion of the body about its longitudinal axis to facilitate removal of the apparatus from the concrete. The apparatus may be further engageable with machinery capable of providing a continuous supply of relatively rapid setting concrete, thus providing substantial ease and economy of use over conventional prior art extrusion concrete apparatus and techniques.
A further object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the second portion of the body includes an engagement member with which other devices may be engaged to facilitate positioning of the concrete for assembly prior to removal of the apparatus from the concrete.
A still further object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the engagement member includes an aperture configured to permit access by those other devices.
Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the engagement member is separable from the body.
Yet another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the first portion of the body is inflatable, and is removable from the concrete by deflating.
My invention thus provides numerous advantages over the single-use, non-removable devices of the prior art, including, by way of example and not limitation, elimination of welded plates or permanently cast sleeves which remain exposed when panels or columns are to be joined to one another, thereby also improving ease of installation and use, and consequently lowering the risk of rust or other deterioration of joints between concrete elements.
Another object of my invention is the provision of a method of use of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, including various combinations of the steps of providing concrete material, providing a form for casting the concrete material, positioning the apparatus in a selected position with respect to the form to facilita

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