GB2575676A

GB2575676A - Automating the interconnection of concrete building elements

Info

Publication number: GB2575676A
Application number: GB1811829.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fordham Steven
Original assignee: Invisible Connections Ltd
Current assignee: Invisible Connections Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-19
Filing date: 2018-07-19
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-19
Also published as: IE20190115A3; IE87195B1; IE20190115A1; GB201811829D0; GB2575676B

Abstract

The device 20 automates the activation of a telescopic connector 10 with an outer tube 11 and an inner element 12 movable by being slid within the outer tube. The connector is incorporated within a precast concrete element such that an end of the connector is at a side face of the concrete element. An aperture 15 extends between a top face of the connector and a top face of the concrete element. The device can rest on the top face of the concrete element, with a frame 30 projecting down to locate in the aperture. A linear actuator 40, 42 causes linear motion of a movable element 44. A connecting element 32 extends through the apertures and connects the movable element to the inner element of the telescopic connector so the device can cause the inner element to extend out from the concrete element into an adjacent recess, during building construction. The device has a motor which is wirelessly controlled possibly by use of a camera in the device. Also claimed is a method of coupling concrete elements using connectors and the device.

Description

Automating the Interconnection of Concrete Building Elements

The present invention relates to a device for automating the interconnection of precast concrete elements during building construction, and to a method of construction that uses this device.

In the construction of buildings that have a plurality of storeys, such as skyscrapers, it is known to create a concrete shaft or stairwell, to then mount concrete landings or floor elements at desired heights within the stairwell, and then to connect precast flights of steps between successive landings. One known way of connecting concrete landings or floor elements to such a concrete shaft or stairwell involves forming recesses in the wall of the concrete stairwell, and incorporating telescopic bolt-type mechanisms, called telescopic connectors, within the concrete landings or floor elements. The landing or floor element would be lowered by crane into approximately the right position, and temporarily supported in that position by props; a worker would then climb onto the landing or floor element, and activate each of the telescopic connectors so they locate into the corresponding recesses in the wall. The props can then be withdrawn, as the landing or floor element is supported by the engagement of the telescopic connectors in the recesses.

Such telescopic connectors provide a strong and reliable interconnection, but it would be advantageous if the need for a worker to climb onto the landing or floor element could be eliminated until it is self-supporting. This would benefit the construction process by reducing the need for temporary works design, improving health and safety, and speeding up the stair installation process.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for automating the activation of a telescopic connector, wherein the telescopic connector comprises an outer tube and an inner element movable by being slid within the outer tube, and comprising means to connect to the inner element, and the telescopic connector is incorporated within a precast concrete element such that an end of the telescopic connector is at a side face of the precast concrete element, and such that an aperture extends between a top face of the telescopic connector and a top face of the precast concrete element, so the means to connect to the inner element is exposed through the aperture;

wherein the device comprises a base adapted to rest on the top face of the precast concrete element, a projection projecting below the base to locate in the aperture, a linear actuator supported by the base and arranged to cause linear motion of a movable element, and a connecting element for providing a mechanical linkage between the movable element and the means to connect to the inner element; the device also incorporating a battery to power the linear actuator, and a wireless control circuit to activate the linear actuator.

The linear actuator may include a threaded lead screw, and a threaded bush on the movable arm that mates with the lead screw. The threaded lead screw may for example have multiple separate threads, each with a long pitch, for example eight threads. The device may also incorporate microswitches, one at each end of the travel path of the movable element, so that the linear actuator is automatically switched off when the movable element reaches one end or the other of its travel path. The device may incorporate indicator lights, which may be arranged to switch on to provide a visual indication, for example when the movable element is in motion, or when it reaches a position in which the inner element is fully extended.

The device may incorporate a housing to enclose the linear actuator and the battery, and may also enclose at least part of the wireless control circuit. The device may incorporate a camera, so the movement of the inner element can be observed remotely, to monitor alignment of the connector to the recess, and to monitor when the connector is fully extended.

In one example the inner element defines a threaded hole which is aligned with a linear slot along the top of the outer tube. This threaded hole would therefore constitute the means to connect to the inner element; and the connecting element may therefore be a rod with a threaded end. The connecting element can therefore be attached to the inner element of the telescopic connector by inserting the threaded end of the rod through the slot and then screwing it into the threaded hole, so that the rod sticks upward to project above the aperture, and to engage with the movable element.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of connecting a precast concrete floor or landing element to one or more concrete walls, wherein the precast concrete floor or landing element incorporates a plurality of telescopic connectors such that an end of each telescopic connector is at a side face of the precast concrete element, each telescopic connector comprising an outer tube and an inner element movable by being slid within the outer tube, and comprising means to connect to the inner element, and such that an aperture extends between a top face of the telescopic connector and a top face of the precast concrete element, and wherein the concrete walls incorporate recesses to locate the inner elements when the precast concrete floor or landing element is at a desired position; wherein the method comprises attaching a connecting element to each inner element connection means, and mounting devices of the invention on top of the precast concrete floor or landing element such that each projection of a device locates in one of the apertures and such that each connecting element connects to one of the movable elements; moving the concrete floor or landing element into a desired position adjacent to the one or more concrete walls using a lifting device; and when the concrete floor or landing element is in the desired position, using the wireless control circuits of the devices to activate the linear actuators, and thereby to cause each inner element to project into the adjacent recess.

When the light signal or the view from each camera indicates that each inner element is fully extended into the adjacent recess, the lifting device can be removed, as the concrete floor or landing element will be held by the engagement of the inner elements of the telescopic connectors with the recesses. The lifting device may for example be a crane, used to raise or lower the concrete floor or landing element into the required position. It will be appreciated that there is no requirement to install temporary props to hold the floor or landing element in its position, nor is there any need for a worker to work on top of the floor or landing element before it has been connected to the walls.

The invention will now be further and more particularly described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure la shows a perspective view of a telescopic connector;

Figure lb shows a sectional view through the telescopic connector of figure la;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention for activating a telescopic connector as shown in figures la and lb;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device of figure 2 after removal of a casing, to show the internal components; and

Figure 4 shows a side view of the device as shown in figure 3.

Referring now to figure la and figure lb, a telescopic connector 10 comprises an outer tube 11 of rectangular cross-section, and an inner tube 12 also of generally rectangular cross-section. One end of the outer tube 11 is open, while the opposite end is closed with a cap 13. There is a slot 14 (shown in figure lb) extending along the centre of the top surface of the outer tube 11 near the end with the cap 13, and a rectangular duct 15 is fixed to the top of the outer tube 11 so as to surround the slot 14, and extends upward from it. The inner tube 12 defines a threaded aperture 16, so that a threaded bolt 18 can be inserted through the slot 14 to engage with the inner tube 12.

In use, the telescopic connector 10 would be embedded within a concrete building element during the casting process, so that the open end of the outer tube 11 is at an edge face of the building element, and such that the top of the rectangular duct 15 is flush with the top surface of the building element. During installation of the building element in a building, the rectangular duct 15 enables a worker to have access to the bolt 18, so the worker can slide the bolt 18 along the slot 14, so sliding the inner tube 12 out of the open end of the outer tube 11 to engage with a recess (not shown) in an adjacent part of the building structure. Such a telescopic connector 10 is known.

Referring now to figure 2, a device 20 of the invention comprises a base plate 22 on top of which is a housing 23 to enclose a drive mechanism 24 (shown in figures 3 and 4), and which includes a handle 25. A front part of the housing 23 defines an aperture 26 within which is mounted a video camera 28 which may transmit images to a remote display (not shown). A rectangular frame 30 projects below the base plate 22, the rectangular frame 30 being slightly smaller than the open top of the rectangular duct 15, so the rectangular frame 30 can fit into the open top of the rectangular duct 15. A steel rod 32 extends through the rectangular frame 30 and projects below the frame 30; this rod 32 has threaded portions at both ends, and (as shown in Figure 2) a nut 33 may be screwed onto the threaded portion at the top.

Referring now to figure 3 and figure 4, which show the device 20 without the housing 23, the base plate 22 defines a central slot 34 along part of its length, and at the ends of the slot 34 a front plate 35 and a rear plate 36 are mounted on the base plate 22, the front plate 35 and the rear plate 36 each locating a thrust bearing 37. A lead screw 40 extends between the two thrust bearings 37, and extends through the thrust bearing 37 (not shown) in the front plate 35 to connect through a mechanical clutch 41 to a DC electric motor 42 mounted on a frame 43 attached to the base plate 22. The frame 43 also supports the video camera 28.

The lead screw 40 is not threaded on the portions of its length that extend into or through the thrust bearings 37, but the portion between the thrust bearings 37 is threaded with eight separate threads, each with a long pitch. A slider block 44 incorporates a threaded bush 45 which mates with the thread on the lead screw 40, so that rotation of the lead screw 40 moves the slider block 44. The steel rod 32 has a threaded portion at its bottom end, and is a sliding fit in a vertical aperture through the slider block 44. Control electronics 46 are mounted in a compartment 47 on the base plate 22; and a rechargeable battery 50 provides power to the electronics 46, and to the DC electric motor 42 and the video camera 28. The drive mechanism 24 thus comprises the DC electric motor 42, the clutch 41, the lead screw 40 and the slider block 44. The device 20 may also include micro-switches (not shown), so the control electronics 46 can switch off the DC electric motor 42 when the slider block 44 reaches one end or the other of the threaded portion of the lead screw 40.

The control electronics 46 enable the DC electric motor 42 to be switched on remotely, for example with radio control or another type of remote control, and enables the images from the video camera 28 to be viewed by an operator at a remote display.

As mentioned above, the device 20 is intended for use with a building element, in particular a concrete building element in which one or more telescopic connectors 10 have been embedded, so that the open ends of the outer tubes 11 are at edge faces of the building element, and such that the top of each rectangular duct 15 is flush with the top surface of the building element. When the building element is to be installed in a building, one such device 20 would be provided for each of the telescopic connectors 10 in the building element. In each case the threaded end of the steel rod 32 would be screwed into the threaded aperture 16, after removing the bolt 18 if necessary, so that the steel rod 32 would project upwards through and above the rectangular duct 15. The device 20 would then be lowered so that the projecting frame 30 would locate in the rectangular duct 15, the steel rod 32 extending up through the central slot 34 and through the vertical aperture in the slider block 44, so as shown the top of the steel rod 32 may project above the top of the slider block 44. The nut 33 would then be screwed on to the top of the steel rod to secure the device 20 to the telescopic connector 10, so there is no risk of the device 20 falling off the concrete building element, during hoisting.

The building element would then be hoisted into position, so the open ends of the telescopic connectors 10 are adjacent to corresponding recesses in an adjacent wall or other structural element. The operator can then remotely activate the devices 20, so that in each case the slider block 44 is moved along the threaded portion of the lead screw 40, so moving the steel rod 32, and so sliding the inner tube 12 out from the open end of the telescopic connector 10 to locate in the adjacent recess. Engagement between the projecting frame 30 and the rectangular duct 15 ensures that the device 20 itself does not move relative to the rectangular duct 15 as a result of the movement of the slider block 44, so ensuring that the inner tube 12 is moved relative to the outer duct 11 of the telescopic connector 10.

Although the device 20 is described as being used in conjunction with the telescopic connector 10, it will be appreciated that it may be used in conjunction with telescopic connectors that may differ from that shown in figures la and lb, as long as the telescopic connector 10 has an open-topped duct equivalent to the rectangular duct 15 to provide access to the place at which connection may be made to the inner tube. The projecting frame 30 must be of such a shape and size as to fit into the top end of the open-topped duct, whatever the shape and size of that duct, as it is the engagement between the projecting frame 30 and the open-topped duct 15 that holds the device 20 in position during operation.

It will also be appreciated that a device of the invention may differ in other ways from the device 20 described above. For example it may have a different type of linear actuator to bring about the movement of the rod 32 that connects to the inner tube of the telescopic connector. Furthermore the slider block 44 may be connected to the inner tube 12 by a connecting element other than the rod

32.

Claims

1. A device for automating the activation of a telescopic connector, wherein the telescopic connector comprises an outer tube and an inner element movable by being slid within the outer tube, and comprising means to connect to the inner element, and the telescopic connector is incorporated within a precast concrete element such that an end of the telescopic connector is at a side face of the precast concrete element, and such that an aperture extends between a top face of the telescopic connector and a top face of the precast concrete element, so the means to connect to the inner element is exposed through the aperture;

wherein the device comprises a base adapted to rest on the top face of the precast concrete element, a projection projecting below the base to locate in the aperture, a linear actuator supported by the base and arranged to cause linear motion of a movable element, and a connecting element for providing a mechanical linkage between the movable element and the means to connect to the inner element of the telescopic connection; the device also incorporating a battery to power the linear actuator, and a wireless control circuit to activate the linear actuator.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear actuator includes a threaded lead screw, and a threaded bush on the movable arm that mates with the lead screw.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the threaded lead screw has multiple separate threads, each with a long pitch.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which also incorporates microswitches, one at each end of the travel path of the movable element.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims also comprising lights arranged to switch on when the movable element is in motion, and/or when it reaches a position in which the inner element is fully extended.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a housing to enclose the linear actuator and the battery.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a camera, so the movement of the inner element can be observed remotely, to monitor when it is fully extended.

8. A method of connecting a precast concrete floor or landing element to one or more concrete walls, wherein the precast concrete floor or landing element incorporates a plurality of telescopic connectors such that an end of each telescopic connector is at a side face of the precast concrete element, each telescopic connector comprising an outer tube and an inner element movable by being

5 slid within the outer tube, and comprising means to connect to the inner element, and such that an aperture extends between a top face of the telescopic connector and a top face of the precast concrete element, and wherein the concrete walls incorporate recesses to locate the inner elements when the precast concrete floor or landing element is at a desired position;

wherein the method comprises attaching a connecting element to each of the means to connect to an

10 inner element of a telescopic connection, and mounting a plurality of devices as claimed in any one of the preceding claims on top of the precast concrete floor or landing element, one such device for each telescopic connector, such that each projection of a device locates in one of the apertures and such that each connecting element connects to one of the movable elements; moving the concrete floor or landing element into a desired position adjacent to the one or more concrete walls using a lifting device;

15 and when the concrete floor or landing element is in the desired position, using the wireless control circuits of the devices to activate the linear actuators, and thereby to cause each inner element to project into the adjacent recess.

Intellectual Property Office