AU2022203589A1

AU2022203589A1 - Coupling Device for Concrete Elements

Info

Publication number: AU2022203589A1
Application number: AU2022203589A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Arno Gurtler
Original assignee: Plastic Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Plastic Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-01
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2022-12-15

Abstract

A coupling device for connecting first and second concrete elements 3,5, each concrete element having a precast anchor device embedded therein with an exposed coupling portion 15, the coupling device including: a first component 17 having a first end 19 configured to connect with the coupling portion 15 of the first concrete element 3, and an arm 21 extending from a second end thereof having an opening 23 therein; a second component 25 having a first end 27 configured to connect with the coupling portion of the second concrete element 5, and a body 29 extending from a second end thereof having a mounting aperture therein, and an adjustable fastening assembly 33 extending through the opening 23 of the first component 17 and the mounting aperture of the second component 25, the fastening assembly 33 being configured to secure the first and second components 17, 25 in position relative to one another following connection of the coupling device to the first and second concrete elements 3,5. 18670253_1 (GHMatters) P115022.AU.1 Z7 Figure 2 9I\

Description

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Figure 2

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COUPLING DEVICE FOR CONCRETE ELEMENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device for joining together concrete elements, for example cast concrete panels used in building construction.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Prefabricated and cast in-situ rectangular concrete panels are commonly used in the construction of buildings and other structures. In most instances the concrete panels are joined in an edge-to-edge or edge-to-face relationship to create, for example, a wall structure of a building. The joining process typically involves a metal stich plate, for example a square steel plate, being cast into the face of each panel near an edge. Two panels are then brought together edge-to edge with an additional cross connecting metal plate, bridged across the two panels, welded in position on the stich plates. The narrow space between the panels is then grouted to provide a continuous wall surface.

[0003] There are also other means by which panels may be bridged together. For example, opposing wire loops protruding from adjacent panels can be interconnected by a long vertical bar passed down through each of the loops and then back filled with grout.

[0004] The connection methods described above may employ significant labour and skills sets for their implementation. It would be desirable to provide a coupling device for connecting adjacent concrete panels which has one or more improved features.

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[0005] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling device for connecting first and second concrete elements, each concrete element having a precast anchor device embedded therein with an exposed coupling portion, the coupling device including: a first component having a first end configured to connect with the coupling portion of the first concrete element, and an arm extending from a second end thereof having an opening therein; a second component having a first end configured to connect with the coupling portion of the second concrete element, and a body extending from a second end thereof having a mounting aperture therein, and an adjustable fastening assembly extending through the opening of the first component and the mounting aperture of the second component, the fastening assembly being configured to secure the first and second components in position relative to one another following connection of the coupling device to the first and second concrete elements.

[0007] The first and second components are preferably rotatable about the fastening assembly. The opening of the first component is preferably an elongated slot along which the fastening assembly can travel to alter the position of the components relative to one another.

[0008] The arm and body each preferably have a length and the first and second components are selectively movable relative to one another to enable the length of the arm to overlap with the length of the body when locating the coupling device into position between the concrete elements.

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[0009] The first end of the first component preferably includes an arcuate finger projecting substantially perpendicular to the arm. Similarly, the first end of the second component preferably includes an arcuate finger projecting substantially perpendicular to the body.

[0010] The arcuate fingers are preferably configured to hook onto the coupling portions of the concrete elements.

[0011] The fastening assembly may include a threaded bore in the mounting aperture of the second component, and a threaded fastener configured to engage in the threaded bore. In use, tightening of the fastener within the bore preferably forces a rear face of the arm and a rear face of the body into abutment with one another. Other means of fastening via a through hole and external nut may also be utilised.

[0012] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for coupling a first concrete panel to a second concrete panel, each concrete panel having a rebate therein and an embedded anchor device having an exposed coupling portion within the rebate, the method comprising the steps of:

- positioning the panels such that the rebate of the first panel faces the rebate of the second panel;

- providing a coupling device in accordance with a first aspect of the invention,

- folding the coupling device such that the first ends project in substantially opposite directions;

- inserting the coupling device between the two rebates;

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- unfolding and positioning the coupling device such that the first end of the first component engages with the coupling portion of the first panel, and the first end of the second component engages with the coupling portion of the second panel; and

- securing the first and second components in position relative to one another with the adjustable fastening assembly.

[0013] To assist in further understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments. It is to be appreciated that these embodiments are given by way of illustration only and that the invention is not to be limited by these illustrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of two concrete panels connected together edge-to-edge at two locations with a coupling device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the coupling devices connecting the two panels illustrated in Figure 1 detailing the attachment of the coupling device to embedded anchors of the two concrete panels;

[0016] Figure 3 is a side view of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 2 showing the typical final position of the coupling device once secured to the concrete panels following torque being applied to the fastening assembly;

[0017] Figure 4 is a top view of the coupling device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the coupling device in an initial position prior to being secured to the concrete panels;

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[0018] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a coupling device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 6 is a rear view of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 5, and

[0020] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 5 showing the coupling device in a folded position in which the first ends point in different directions to facilitate insertion of the coupling device into engagement between opposing rebates of the concrete panels.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a coupling device 1 for connecting a first concrete element, which is preferably in the form of a concrete panel 3 to a second concrete element, which is also preferably in the form of a concrete panel 5. Each concrete panel 3, 5 has an edge 7 and one or more rebates 9 having a length of about 190mm and a depth of about 40mm. At the bottom of each rebate 9 is a void 11 within which is located an exposed coupling portion of an anchor device which is embedded within the concrete panel 3, 5. The exposed coupling portion is preferably a head 13 of an anchor having an eyelet 15. In this regard, the anchor may be a lifting anchor of the type disclosed in Australian Patent Application No. 2019279923, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0022] Prior to casting the concrete panels 3, 5, anchors are suitably positioned together with other reinforcing elements in a mouldable formwork. The head 13 of each anchor is secured prior to casting in a removable void former positioned at the bottom of each rebate 9. The void former prevents the ingress of concrete slurry into the region of the eyelet 15 during casting. After the concrete has hardened, the void former is removed leaving a void 11 in the bottom of each

18670253_1 (GHMatters) P115022.AU.1 rebate 9 around the head 13 such that a coupling device 1 can then access and engage the eyelet 15 within the void 11.

[0023] The coupling device 1 includes a first component 17 having a first end which is preferably in the form of an arcuate finger 19, which is configured to pass through the eyelet 15 of the first concrete panel 3. The first component 17 preferably also includes an arm 21 extending from a second end of the first component 17. The arm 21 preferably includes an opening therein which may be in the form of an elongated slot 23.

[0024] The coupling device 1 further includes a second component 25 having a first end which is also preferably in the form of an arcuate finger 27, which is configured to pass through the eyelet 15 of the anchor head 13 of the second concrete panel 5. The second component 25 may also include a body 29 extending from a second end of the second component 25. The body 29 preferably includes a mounting aperture 31 therein.

[0025] The coupling device 1 further includes an adjustable fastening assembly 33 which extends through the elongated slot 23 of the first component 17 and the mounting aperture 31 of the second component 25. The fastening assembly 33 includes a threaded bore in the mounting aperture 31 and a threaded fastener 35 which is configured to engage in the threaded bore and be tightened to secure the first component 17 and the second component 25 in position relative to one another following connection of the coupling device to the first and second concrete panels 3, 5.

[0026] In order to connect the two panels 3, 5 together edge-to-edge, the first and second panels 3, 5 are positioned next to each other such that the edges 7 are adjacent each other with rebates 9 provided within the edges 7 aligned, as illustrated in Figures 1-3. With the edges 7 in close proximity to one another, for example about 20mm apart, the rebates 9 provide access from the face of each panel 3, 5 with the gap between the rebates 9 being about 95mm.

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[0027] With the concrete panels 3, 5 in suitable position, the coupling device 1 can be folded to a position as illustrated in Figure 7 in which the arm 21 and body 29 substantially overlap along their entire length with the finger 19 of the first component 17 pointing in the opposite direction to the finger 27 of the second component 25. In this folded position, the fingers 19, 27 can then be manoeuvred within the rebates 9 and then into the voids 11 with the coupling device 1 then unfolded by rotation of the components 17, 25 about the fastening assembly 33 and sliding of the fastening assembly 33 along the elongated slot 23. The arcuate fingers 19, 27 are then hooked through the eyelet 15 of the anchor heads 13 as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. The elongated slot 23 provides mechanical articulation and travel which in turn provides for tolerance variation in the panel gap and height. The threaded fastener 35 is then tightened which forces a rear face of the arm 21 and a rear face of the body 29 into abutment to secure the coupling device 1 in position. As torque is applied to a head 39 of the threaded fastener 35, the fastening assembly 33 may tend to move upwardly and towards an end of the slot 23 (as illustrated in Figure 3 inset) resulting in the coupling device 1 having a configuration such as illustrated in Figure 3 in which the arm 21 is angled with respect to the body 29 of the second component 25. With the fastening assembly 33 at the end of the slot 23, greater resistive surface contact is provided between the fastening assembly 33 and the area surrounding the slot 23.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the threaded fastener is provided with a conventional bolt head 39. In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the head 39 is replaced with a T-shaped handle 41 but may equally be replaced with a head of any other form.

[0029] Once the concrete panels 3, 5 have been secured in position with coupling devices 1, the space between the adjoining panel edges 7, including the rebates 9, can be filled with high strength liquid grout such that the anchor heads and coupling devices 1 are encapsulated in the grout with a solid mass connection being provided between the panels 3, 5.

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[0030] In order to connect two panels 3, 5 together in an edge-to-face relationship, for example to form a 900 connection between the panels, the first and second panels 3, 5 are positioned such that the edge 7 of one panel having a rebate 9 therein is adjacent the face of the other panel having a rebate 9 therein. The rebates 9 are then aligned and the connection made in the same manner as the above described edge-to edge connection.

[0031] As illustrated in Figure 4, the fastening assembly 33 may further include a tension indicating washer 43 which squirts a silicone gel to indicate that the required minimum torque has been reached when the threaded fastener 35 is tightened.

[0032] The coupling device 1 of the present invention advantageously provides a convenient alternative to conventional coupling techniques for concrete elements such as panels. The coupling device 1 utilises the arcuate finger 27 provided at the end of each component 17, 25, travelling in an arc around the thread lock pivot 39, in conjunction with the telescopic travel provided by the slot 23 and connectivity of the two primary assembly components 17, 25. The assembly articulation provides for insertion into the receiving rebates 9 of the panels 5, 7 and provides for engagement of the device fingers 27 in the receiving location hole 15 of the anchor heads 13 for final positioning.

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Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coupling device for connecting first and second concrete elements, each concrete element having a precast anchor device embedded therein with an exposed coupling portion, the coupling device including:

a first component having a first end configured to connect with the coupling portion of the first concrete element, and an arm extending from a second end thereof having an opening therein;

a second component having a first end configured to connect with the coupling portion of the second concrete element, and a body extending from a second end thereof having a mounting aperture therein, and

an adjustable fastening assembly extending through the opening of the first component and the mounting aperture of the second component, the fastening assembly being configured to secure the first and second components in position relative to one another following connection of the coupling device to the first and second concrete elements.

2. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second components are rotatable about the fastening assembly, and the opening of the first component is an elongated slot along which the fastening assembly can travel to alter the position of the components relative to one another.

3. A coupling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the arm and body each have length, the first and second components being selectively movable relative to one another to enable the length of the arm to overlap with the length of the body when locating the coupling device into position between the concrete elements.

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4. A coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first end of the first component includes an arcuate finger projecting substantially perpendicular to the arm, and the first end of the second component includes an arcuate finger projecting substantially perpendicular to the body, the arcuate fingers being configured to hook onto the coupling portions of the concrete elements.

5. A coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening assembly includes a threaded bore in the mounting aperture of the second component and a threaded fastener configured to engage in the threaded bore, and wherein in use, tightening of the fastener within the bore forces a rear face of the arm and a rear face of the body into abutment.

6. A method for coupling a first concrete panel to a second concrete panel, each concrete panel having a rebate therein and an embedded anchor device having an exposed coupling portion within the rebate, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,

- inserting the coupling device between the two rebates;

- unfolding and positioning the coupling device such that the first end of the first component engages with the coupling portion of the first panel, and

18670253_1 (GHMatters) P115022.AU.1 the first end of the second component engages with the coupling portion of the second panel; and

7. A method for coupling a first concrete panel to a second concrete panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rebate of the first panel is in a face of the first panel and the rebate of the second panel is in an edge of the second panel such that the step of securing the first and second components in position results in the panels being coupled in an edge-to-face relationship.

8. A method for coupling a first concrete panel to a second concrete panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rebate of the first panel is in an edge of the first panel and the rebate of the second panel is in an edge of the second panel such that the step of securing the first and second components in position results in the panels being coupled in an edge-to-edge relationship.

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