GB2521943A

GB2521943A - Anchor bolt systems and methods of installing anchor bolts

Info

Publication number: GB2521943A
Application number: GB1423403.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Geuvers
Original assignee: Sympafix BV
Current assignee: Sympafix BV
Priority date: 2014-01-01
Filing date: 2014-12-31
Publication date: 2015-07-08
Also published as: GB201423403D0; GB201400006D0

Abstract

Anchor Bolt Systems and Methods of Installing Anchor Bolts An anchor bolt system comprises a threaded rod (12) to be installed in a hole provided in a substrate(60) and a rod driver (14) to be gripped by a rotary driving(64) device to transfer rotational movement from the rotary driving device to the threaded rod. The bolt or screw(12) has a leading end (26), a trailing end (28), external threading (24) and a drive receiving formation or screw head(38) disposed at the trailing end. The drill bit or chuck (14) is configured to engage the drive receiving, screw head(46) to transfer the rotary movement to the threaded rod(12).

Description

Anchor Bolt Systems and Methods of Installing Anchor Bolts

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to anchor bolt systems and methods of installing anchor bolts.

Background to the Invention

Anchor bolts for anchoring in a setting compound are lmown and may comprise a threaded rod having a leading end that has a tapered point and a trailing end provided with a hexagonal formation that allows the threaded rod to be gripped by a chuck of a rotary driving device such as a hammer drill.

The setting compound may be supplied in a container, such as a cartridge or glass capsule, that is to be installed in a suitably sized hole formed in a substrate such as a wall of a building. The contents of the setting compound are released by driving the tapered point of the threaded rod into the container. The high speed rotation of the threaded rod imparted by the driving device breaks up the container and thoroughly mixes the components of the setting compound.

The hexagonal formation is integral with the threaded rod and typically is formed by a cold forming technique. Providing a hexagonal formation at the trailing end of the threaded rod adds significantly to the cost of producing the anchor bolt, It also determines the length of the anchor bolt making it necessary for installers to carry stores of different length anchor bolts.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides an anchor bolt system as specified in claim 1.

The invention also includes a kit as specified in claim 11.

The invention also includes a method of installing an anchor bolt system as specified in claim 2],

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be well understood, some examples thereof will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an anchor bolt system; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of first stages of a use of the anchor bolt system of Figure 1; Hi Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of frirther stages of a use of the anchor bolt system of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of final stages of a use of the anchor bolt system of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, an anchor bolt system 10 comprises an externally threaded rod 12, a rod driver 14 and a container 16 comprising components 18, 20 of a setting compound. Although not limited to that number, in the illustrated example the setting compound comprises two components 18, 20. The container 16 may be an elongate cartridge made of a material that can be readily broken by the threaded rod 12 to release the components of the setting compound and allow them to be mixed. The container 16 may, for example, be made of glass.

The threaded rod 12 is a generally cylindrical elongate member having a longitudinal axis 22. The threaded rod 12 has external threading 24 extending from a leading end 26 to a trailing end 28 thereof The leading end 26 is provided with at least one flat surface 30 that is inclined to the longitudinal axis 22 to define a point 32. In the illustrated example, the leading end 26 has two flat surfaces 30. However, this is not to be taken as limiting as there may be only one or more than two flat surfaces 30.

The trailing end 28 of the threaded rod 12 has an end surface 34 that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis 22. The threading 24 extends at least substantially to the end surface 34, Although not limited to this, in the illustrated example the end surface 34 is a generally flat surface that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22. Examples of alternatives are an end surface that is domed or conical.

The threaded rod 12 may be provided with a depth indicator 36 such as a suitably positioned circumferentially extending groove. The depth indicator 36 can provide a visual indication to the installer that the threaded rod 12 has been driven to a suitable depth in a hole in which it is being installed. As an alternative to providing a depth indicator as illustrated, the installer or rod supplier may simply mark the installation depth with tape or paint.

The threaded rod 12 may be made of a ferrous material, for example, stainless steel.

In some examples, the threaded rod 12 may be made of a steel treated so as to be resistant to corrosion. The threaded rod 12 may, for example, be protected against corrosion by galvani sing.

The threaded rod 12 comprises a drive receiving formation 38 that extends inwardly from the trailing end 28. In the illustrated example, the drive receiving formation 38 is a hole extending along the longitudinal axis 22 of the threaded rod 12. The drive receiving formation 38 may have a circular cross-section.

The anchor bolt system 10 additionally comprises an internally threaded nut 40 that can be screwed onto the trailing end 28 of the threaded rod 12 to secure an object to a substrate in which the threaded rod has been installed.

The rod driver 14 may comprise a cylindrical main body portion 42 and a drive spigot 44. The drive spigot 44 may extend from an end of the main body part 42. The drive spigot 44 may be configured to be gripped by a rotary driving device such as a rotary power tool. The drive spigot 44 may have a circular section. Alternatively, the drive spigot 44 may have one or more flat sides and may, for example, have a hexagonal cross-section, The rod driver 14 may comprise a leading end portion 46 that is configured to be received in the drive receiving formation 38. Although not essential, the drive receiving formation 38 and leading end portion 46 may each have a circular cross-section, The configuration of the drive receiving formation 38 and leading end portion 46 may be such that the leading end portion is a sliding fit in the drive receiving formation. The sliding fit may be a relatively close sliding fit so that the rod driver 14 is centred with respect to the threaded rod U by having the leading end portion 46 received in the drive receiving portion 38. The rod driver 14 may further comprise a conical portion 48 to engage in the drive receiving fonriation 38 and transfer rotational motion of the rod driver to the threaded rod 12.

The rod driver 14 may be a one-piece device and may, for example, be machined from a suitable metal such as a steel.

0 An installation using the anchor bolt system 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Referring to Figure 2, a suitably sized hole 60 is provided in a substrate 62 in which the threaded rod 12 is to be installed. The hole 60 may, for example, be formed by drilling, Once formed, the hole 60 may be cleaned using a suitably sized steel brush. Debris may be removed from the hole 60 by any suitable means, for example by blowing into the hole or applying suction to the hole. A container 16 containing the components 18, 20 of a selling compound is then inserted into the hole. The container 16 has a diameter that is slightly less than that of the hole so that it can be readily push fitted into the hole. The diameter of the container 16 is sufficiently close to that of the hole 60 to ensure that once installed, the container has little freedom for movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hole.

Referring to Figure 3, the rod driver 14 is secured to a rotary driving device 64, for example, by gripping the drive spigot 44 in a chuck 66 of the rotary driving device 64.

The rotary driving device 64 may be a power tool, such as an electric drill. The leading end 26 of the threaded rod 12 is inserted into the hole 60, The leading end portion 46 of the rod driver 14 is then inserted into the drive receiving formation 38 of the threaded rod 12. The leading end portion 46 is not as long as the drive receiving formation 38 is deep. This is so that the leading end portion 46 can be fully received in the drive receiving formation 38 such as to allow the conical portion 48 to engage the outer end of the drive receiving formation adjacent the position at which it meets the transverse end surface 34. The rotary driving device 64 may be operated to rotate the rod driver 14. The engagement between the conical portion 48 and drive receiving formation 38 is such that the rotation of the rod driver 14 is transferred to the threaded rod 12 so that the leading end 26 rotated as it is driven into the container 16, As the threaded point 12 is drive into the hole 60, the point 32 can penetrate the container 16, which will tend to be broken up as the threaded rod 12 is pushed further into the hole 60. The rotation of the threaded rod 12 mixes the components 18, 20 of the setting compound to form a generally homogeneous setting compound mix 68. Once the depth indicator 36 is level with the surface 70 of the substrate 62, the rotary driving device 64 can be switched off and the rod driver 14 disengaged from the threaded rod 12 by simply lifting it away from the trailing end 28.

Refening to Figure 4, the setting compound mix 68 is left for the time required for it to set. Once the setting compound has set, the threaded rod 12 is securely anchored in the hole 60 with the portion of the threaded rod 12 between the depth indicator 36 and transverse end surface 34 projecting from the surface 70 of the substrate 62. An object 80 can be anchored to the substrate 62 by placing a hole 82 provided in the object over the projecting portion of the threaded rod 12, bringing the object into engagement with the surface 70 of the substrate 62 and then screwing a nut 40 (optionally with a washer 84) onto the threaded rod to securely anchor the object to the substrate. The object 80 may, for example, be a bracket, steel column or post, cable tray, gate, façade or window element.

In the illustrated example, the rod driver has a leading end portion that is inserted into the drive receiving formation of the threaded rod. The sliding fit of the leading end portion in the drive receiving formation may centre the rod driver with respect to the threaded rod. The configuration of the leading end portion and drive receiving formation may also function to assist in aligning and maintaining the alignment of the axis of rotation of the rod driver with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod. In some examples the illustrated leading end portion may be omitted so that the conical portion forms the leading end of the rod driver. In such cases, the configuration of the drive receiving formation may be modified to simply correspond to the form of the conical end portion. In other examples, the drive receiving formation may be a slot provided in the end surface of the threaded rod, the slot extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod. The slot may, fur example, have a generally V or U-shaped cross-section. In such cases, the leading end of the rod driver may be provided with a transverse formation having a shape configured to complementarily engage the slot. Of course, if desired such exampies may additionally comprise a leading end portion as illustrated.

In the illustrated example, the leading end portions of the rod driver and drive S receiving formation each have a circular cross-section. This is not essential as the cross-sections may be of any complementary configuration that allows insertion of the leading end portion in the drive receiving formation. However, a circular cross-section is convenient as it allows the drive receiving formation to the readily formed by drilling a hole in the end of the threaded rod. Such a hole may be drilled into the threaded rod in line with the longitudinal axis 22 using a drill mounted in the tailstock of a lathe.

In the illustrated example, the rod driver engages the drive receiving formation by engaging a conical portion of the rod driver with the drive receiving formation. In the illustrated example, the drive receiving formation is a circular hole so that the engagement may be substantially a circumferentially extending line contact. In order to increase the contact area between the rod driver and drive receiving formation, the hole may be chamfered to provide a tapered surface complementary to the conical portion of the rod driver.

In the illustrated example, the transfer of rotational movement from the rod driver to the threaded rod is by frictional engagement of the rod driver with the drive receiving formation. In order to increase the force transfer capability, the rod driver may have an engaging surface configured to enhance the engagement with the drive receiving formation. Enhancement may be obtained by, for example, surface roughening or providing a coating of a friction enhancing material. In other examples, the force transfer capability may be enhanced by providing formations, such as ribs, on the rod driver that engage complementary formations of the drive receiving formation.

In the illustrated example, the rod driver is engageable with an axially extending drive receiving formation of the threaded rod. In other examples, the drive receiving formation may comprise a plurality of holes that are engageable by respective projections, or pins of the rod driver. For example, there may be an axially extending hole for centring and alignment and a plurality of off-centre (axis) holes to receive drive pins to transmit rotation from the rod driver to the threaded rod, Thus, it is possible to provide examples in which the transfer of rotation from the rod driver to the threaded rods does not rely on frictional engagement between the parts. However, it will be understood that the configuration of the illustrated example may be more easily manufactured, thus allowing for more economic production.

The rod driver may be a reusable device allowing the possibility of supplying a kit that comprises a plurality of externally threaded rods, respective nuts for the rods and a supply of sefting compound with just one rod driver, or at least fewer rod drivers 0 than there are threaded rods.

In the examples, the setting compound is provided in containers that are inserted into the hole in which the threaded rod is to be installed. This is not essential. The setting compound may be supplied in bulk containers from which a suitable charge is injected into the hole.

Although intended mainly for anchor bolts that are to be secured in a hole with a setting compound, in principle the drive receiving device could be used with anchor bolts that are to be secured in a hole using a threaded wedging &ement that acts to expand an expansion member into which the threaded rod is driven.

Claims

Claims I. An anchor bolt system comprising: a threaded rod to be installed in a hole provided in a substrate; and a rod driver to be gripped by a rotary driving device to transfer rotational movement from said rotary driving device to said threaded rod, wherein said threaded rod has a leading end, a trailing end, external threading and a drive receiving formation disposed at said trailing end and 0 said rod driver is configured to engage said drive receiving formation to transfer said rotational movement to said threaded rod.
2. An anchor bolt system as claimed in claim I, wherein said leading end of said threaded rod is tapered.
3. An anchor bolt system as claimed in claim I or 2, further comprising at least one container containing a component of a setting compound by means of which said threaded rod can be secured in said hole.
4. An anchor bolt system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one container comprises an elongate cartridge to be installed in said hole, said cartridge containing at least two components of said setting compound.
5. An anchor bolt system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said external threading extends from said trailing end towards said leading end.
6. An anchor bolt system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rod driver has a leading end portion that is configured to be received in said drive receiving formation.
7. An anchor bolt system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said drive receiving formation extends from said trailing end into said threaded rod.
8. An anchor bolt system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said drive receiving formation comprises an axially extending hole.
9. An anchor bolt system as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, wherein said hole and leading end portion each have a circular cross-section.
10. An anchor bolt system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rod driver comprises a conical portion to engage said drive receiving formation to transfer said rotational movement.
11. A kit comprising: a plurality of externafly threaded rods to be installed in respective holes in a substrate; at least one container containing at least one component of a setting compound to set a said externally threaded rod in a said hole; and a rod driver to transfer a rotational force from a rotary driving device to said threaded rods during said installation in said respective holes, wherein said threaded rods each have a leading end, a trailing end and a drive receiving formation provided at said trailing end and said rod driver is configured to be engageable with the respective said drive receiving formations to transfer said rotational force.
12. A kit as claimed in claim 11, comprising a number x of said threaded rods, a numbery of said containers and a number z of said rod drivers, wherein said number z is less than said numberx and said numberz is less than said numbery,
13. Akit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said numberz is 1.
14. A kit as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein said at least one container comprises a plurality of elongate cartridges to be inserted in respective said holes with a said threaded rod and each containing a plurality of said components.
15. Akit as claimed in any one of claims ii to 14, further comprising a plurality of nuts having internal threading corresponding to said external threading.
16. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein said rod driver is a one-piece device.
17. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said rod driver has a leading end portion that is configured to be received in said drive receiving formations.t8. A kit as claimed in any one of claims t 1 to 17, wherein each said drive 0 receiving formation comprises an axially extending hole extending into the respective said threaded rod from said trailing end of the threaded rod.t9. Akit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said holes arid leading end portions each have a circular cross-section.20. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein said rod driver comprises a conical portion to engage said drive receiving formation to transfer said rotational movement.21. A method of installing an anchor bolt system, said anchor bolt system comprising a threaded rod having, a leading end, a trailing end, a longitudinal axis extending through said leading and trailing ends, external threading extending from said trailing end towards said leading end and a drive receiving formation provided at said trailing end, and said method comprises: engaging a rod driver with said drive receiving formation; connecting said rod driver with a rotary driving device; operating said rotary driving device to rotate said rod driver which rod driver transfers said rotation to said threaded rod to drive said threaded rod into a hole provided in a substrate to install said threaded rod in said substrate with said trailing end projecting from said hole; and disengaging said rod driver from said drive receiving formation to permit securing of an object to said substrate using said projecting trailing end of said threaded rod.22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said rotary driving device is a rotary power tooL 23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising providing components of a setting compound in said hole prior to installing said threaded rod and mixing said components of said setting compound by rotation of said threaded rod by means of said driving device.0 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising providing said components in said hole by inserting a container containing said components in said hole, said components being released from said container by opening of said container when said threaded rod is driven into said hole.25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising passing a through hole of an object to be secured to said substrate along said projecting trailing end of said threaded rod after disengagement of said rod driver and fitting a securing device onto said trailing end of said threaded rod to secure said object to said substrate.26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein said rod driver is a one-piece device.27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein engaging said rod driver with said drive receiving formation comprises pressing a conical portion of said rod driver against said drive receiving formation, 28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein engaging said rod driver with said drive receiving formation comprises inserting a leading end portion of said rod driver into said drive receiving portion to centre said rod driver with respect to said threaded rod.29. M anchor bolt system substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.30. A method of installing an anchor bolt system substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.