NZ788596A - Grout Tube and Support Stand - Google Patents

Abstract

grout tube for joining adjacent concrete building elements, in use, defines a void in a concrete building element for receiving grout. The void includes an opening for receiving a reinforcement member from an adjacent concrete building element, and another opening for receiving grout into the tube to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements. Grout tubes are prone to being squashed, crushed and rotated out of position due to the loads applied and inability to properly fasten the tubes. The grout tube of the present invention includes an elongate body with the first and second openings at opposite ends, the elongate body having a plurality of side walls providing the body with a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section advantageously provides improved strength and addresses the issue of potentially squashed, crushed and rotated out of position grout tubes due to applied loads. The non-circular geometry also advantageously makes the grout tube 5 easier to secure in position than a conventional round grout tube. Support stands for holding the grout tube prior to casting may also be positioned at spaced intervals along the grout tube. e to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements. Grout tubes are prone to being squashed, crushed and rotated out of position due to the loads applied and inability to properly fasten the tubes. The grout tube of the present invention includes an elongate body with the first and second openings at opposite ends, the elongate body having a plurality of side walls providing the body with a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section advantageously provides improved strength and addresses the issue of potentially squashed, crushed and rotated out of position grout tubes due to applied loads. The non-circular geometry also advantageously makes the grout tube 5 easier to secure in position than a conventional round grout tube. Support stands for holding the grout tube prior to casting may also be positioned at spaced intervals along the grout tube.

Description

A grout tube for joining adjacent concrete ng elements, in use, defines a void in a te building element for receiving grout. The void includes an opening for receiving a reinforcement member from an adjacent te building element, and r opening for receiving grout into the tube to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements. Grout tubes are prone to being squashed, crushed and rotated out of position due to the loads applied and inability to properly fasten the tubes. The grout tube of the present invention includes an elongate body with the first and second openings at opposite ends, the elongate body having a plurality of side walls providing the body with a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section advantageously provides improved strength and addresses the issue of potentially squashed, crushed and rotated out of position grout tubes due to applied loads. The non-circular geometry also advantageously makes the grout tube 5 easier to secure in position than a conventional round grout tube. Support stands for holding the grout tube prior to g may also be oned at spaced intervals along the grout tube.

NZ 788596 GROUT TUBE AND SUPPORT STAND FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to connection ements for joining together concrete building elements such as st te panels, slabs, footings and the like. More ically, the present invention relates to a grout tube for use in a connection arrangement to define a void which can be filled with grout to secure together adjoining concrete building elements. The present ion further relates to a support stand for holding a grout tube prior to casting concrete around the grout tube.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the connection of concrete building elements, for example an upright concrete wall panel 8 to a te footing 10, typically involves male connection members in the form of pre-positioned steel reinforcement members 9 being placed in and extending from the footing 10. The concrete panel 8 is then lowered into position on the footing 10 with each reinforcement member 9 being positioned within a ponding void 11 created in the concrete panel 8 by a grout tube 1. Grout tubes 1 in accordance with the prior art are hollow elongate tubes of circular cross-section which are made of a plastic material. The grout tubes 1 are placed into a mould for the creation of the concrete building element, for e in the mould for a pre-cast concrete wall panel 8. Grout tubes 1 are positioned within the mould such that at least one, preferably both, ends extend outwardly to be flush with wall(s) of the concrete panel 8 to provide at least one access aperture 4 to enable access to the void. A packing material in the form of a grout mixture 12 is then poured/pumped into the voids 11 via apertures 4. The grouting mixture 12 at least substantially fills the voids 11, including the space around the steel reinforcement member 9. Once the grouting mixture has cured, a secure bond forms between the pre-cast concrete panel 8 and the footing 10. 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ The positioning of rcement bars or mesh, around and on top of grout tubes 1, together with excessive tightening of wire to restrain and secure the grout tubes 1 in position prior to te pouring, often results in prior art grout tubes 1 such as that illustrated in Figure 1 being at times squashed, crushed and d out of position due to the loads applied and inability to properly fasten the tubes 1.

It would be desirable to provide a grout tube of the above described general type which has one or more improved features.

Any discussion of nts, devices, acts or knowledge in this ication 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 In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is a grout tube for use in g nt concrete building elements, the tube in use defining a void in a concrete building element for receiving grout, the void including a first opening for receiving a rcement member from an adjacent concrete building element, and a second opening for receiving grout into the tube to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements, wherein the tube includes an elongate body with the first and second openings at opposite ends, the elongate body having a plurality of side walls providing the body with a non-circular cross-section.

At least one of the side walls preferably includes a series of alternating parallel ridges and grooves defining a corrugated surface, the ridges and grooves generally extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ In one embodiment, the corrugated surface is provided on each side wall and extends from one end of the elongate body to the other. Further, the corrugated surface of adjoining side walls are preferably offset from one another such that the ridges in one side wall align with the grooves in the adjoining side wall and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment, the body includes four side walls providing the te body with a quadrilateral cross-section. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the body includes four side walls providing the elongate body with either a generally square cross-section or a generally gular cross-section.

The grout tube may also include a plurality of lugs on opposing side walls of the body for facilitating fastening of the tube to a support stand. In this regard, the plurality of lugs are preferably ed in the grooves of the side walls.

Further, the first and second openings of the grout tube may have threaded portions to facilitate interconnection with another grout tube.

Removable end caps may also be provided over the first and second openings, the end caps being either pressed into the gs or alternatively screwed onto the threaded portions.

The grout tube at one end may have a 90° bend providing the tube with a generally L-shaped appearance. In this regard, the 90° bend is preferably adjacent the second opening.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present ion, there is provided a support stand for holding a grout tube prior to casting concrete around the grout tube, the grout tube having walls with a plurality of s, the support stand including a pair of spaced apart upright members and a member bridging between the t members, wherein the upright members are 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ configured to accommodate the grout tube therebetween and engage within the grooves to support the grout tube.

The cross-member is preferably configured to abut with an underside or e of the grout tube.

The support stand may further include a fastening arrangement to secure the grout tube on the support stand. The fastening arrangement may include one or more locking members on each upright member for ocking with one or more corresponding g members of the grout tube.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grout tube in accordance with the first aspect of the invention bed above in combination with a support stand in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

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 Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a grout tube in accordance with the prior art when used in the connection of a precast concrete wall panel to a footing.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a grout tube in accordance with an ment of the present invention; 58_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ Figure 3 is a perspective view of the grout tube illustrated in Figure 2 mounted to a pair of support stands; Figure 4a is a front view of a support stand and a cross-sectional view of the grout tube rated in Figure 3 detailing the interconnection of the grout tube to the support stand; Figure 4b is a front view of the support stand and a cross-sectional view of the grout tube illustrated in Figure 4a with the support stand rotated 180 degrees to provide an alternative mounting height for the grout tube, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the grout tube illustrated in Figure 2 joined to another grout tube.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a hollow grout tube 5 in ance with an ment of the invention for use in joining adjacent concrete building elements, for example a concrete wall panel to a footing as illustrated in Figure 1.

The grout tube 5 in use defines a void in a concrete building element for receiving grout. The tube 5 is preferably made of plastic and includes a first opening 7 at one end for ing a male connection member in the form of a reinforcement member from an adjacent concrete building element, and a second opening 9 at an te end for receiving grout into the tube 5 to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements. The tube 5 includes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of side walls 11 providing a non-circular cross-section in a transverse plane of the udinal axis. In a preferred embodiment the elongate body has four side walls 11 providing the tube 5 with a generally square or rectangular transverse cross- 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ section with rounded or square cut corners. However, depending upon the ions of the side walls 11 and angle between each side wall 11, other four sided shapes may be provided in transverse cross-section such as a trapezoid, rhombus, parallelogram and kite.

In a particularly preferred form illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the tube 5 consists of four sides 11 of roughly equal dimension with the tube 5 in transverse cross-section being of generally square shape with slightly curved corners 7 as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. In another ment, the tube 5 may consist of three sides of about the same ion such that the tube 5 in transverse cross-section is of generally triangular shape. In a further embodiment, the tube 5 may consist of five or more sides of about equal dimension such that the tube 5 in transverse cross-section is generally in the shape of a regular pentagon, n, heptagon or octagon.

The side walls 11 of the grout tube 5 include a series of wave-like formations extending inwardly and outwardly, preferably both externally and internally of the grout tube 5. Alternatively, the wave-like formations may extend only externally or internally of the grout tube 5. The wave-like formations on to provide the grout tube 5 with additional surface area and strength. In Figures 2, 3 and 5 the wave-like formations are in the form of a series of alternating ridges 13 and grooves 15 which are uniformly spaced over at least part of the side walls 11 to define a corrugated surface. The ridges 13 and grooves 15 are preferably aligned perpendicular to a udinal axis of the tube 5 as illustrated in Figure 2.

In another embodiment not illustrated the ridges and s on one or more of the sides may lie at an acute angle, for example 45°, or instead lie in the same direction as the longitudinal axis. In further ments not rated, the wave-like formations may be square, triangular or sawtooth in appearance.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the wave-like formations on adjacent side walls 11 are preferably offset from one another such that at least some of the ridges 13 in one side wall 11 intersect at a corner of the tube 5 with at least some 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ of the grooves 15 in the ing side wall 11. This staggered or interlaced arrangement of grooves 15 and ridges 13 provides the grout tube 5 with significant additional strength, for example ssive resistance transverse to the longitudinal axis, and rigidity ed to a conventional grout tube 5 of circular cross-section.

The grout tube 5 may also include a bend at one end, for example a 90° elbow 17 at the second opening 9 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. To aid in the pouring of cement slurry into the grout tube 5, the elbow may instead be at an acute angle, for example between 40° and 70°. The grout tube 5 may also include threaded portions 19 at the first and/or second openings 7, 9 for a removable end cap and/or to tate interconnection with another grout tube 5.

For example, in Figure 5 a straight grout tube 5 is shown threaded onto a grout tube 5 having an ed end in order to extend the overall length of the grout tube 5. Removable end caps may also cover the openings 7, 9 by a push fit Prior to the casting of a concrete building t, for example a concrete panel, grout tubes 5 are suitably positioned, together with other devices such as reinforcement elements, in a mould or formwork. Removable end caps (not illustrated) may be provided over or within the ends of the tube 5 to prevent undesired debris entering the tube 5 during the positioning of the grout tube 5 in the mould prior to casting. The end caps can be removed to expose the openings 7, 9 after the concrete has been poured and hardened and the grouting mixture is ready to be poured into the tube 5.

In order to support the grout tubes 5 in the desired position, preferably centrally of the panel thickness, until the concrete is poured and subsequently hardened, one or more support stands 21 are provided. In one embodiment rated in Figures 3-5, each support stand 21 includes a pair of spaced apart upright members 23, a cross-member 25 bridging between the upright members 23, and a ing arrangement for securing the grout tube 5 to the support 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ stand 21. With nce to Figure 4a and 4b, the upright members 23 are configured to accommodate the grout tube 5 therebetween with either the top or bottom side wall 11 of the grout tube 5 in abutment with the cross-member 25.

The grout tube 5 es a plurality of g members which are preferably in the form of lugs 27 or the like provided on opposing side walls 11 of the grout tube 5. In a preferred embodiment, the lugs 27 are provided within the s of the side walls 11 and are configured to interlock with corresponding locking members on each upright member 23. In one embodiment, the majority of grooves 15 along the sides 11 of the grout tube 5 each have one lug 27, preferably two lugs 27, on both sides of the tube 5. In one embodiment, the locking member on each upright member 23 is in the form of at least one recess 29 which has a ramp portion 31 over which the lug(s) 27 slide when connecting the grout tube 5 to the support stand 21. In one embodiment, the support stand 21 can be inverted head to toe, from the position rated in Figure 4a to the position illustrated in Figure 4b and vice versa, to vary the height of the ember to suit the requirements of the grout tube 5 being used. For example, the height of the cross-member 25 can be varied from 150mm, as provided in Figure 4a, to 180mm, as provided in Figure 4b, by inverting the stand 21. In many instances, it is ble for the centre position of the grout tube 5 within the panel to align with the centre of the concrete panel thickness. The support stands can be suitably sized and orientated to meet this requirement. The support stands 5 can also be provided in a range of different sizes to accommodate grout tubes 5 of different dimensions, for e grout tubes having a cross-sectional width of 50mm, 70mm and 90mm.

The support stands 21 are preferably positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the grout tube 5 and can be orientated to support either an underside or topside of the tube 5, as illustrated in Figure 5. The support stands 21 advantageously have a slim line e with a relatively small footprint which leaves room around the grout tubes 5 for reinforcing bars to be suitably positioned. The ability of the support stands 21 to also be mountable to the topside of the tube 5 advantageously provides increased versatility and greater 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ oning options to provide varying stand configurations to suit reinforcement bar, mesh or in-series positioning of grout tubes 5.

The grout tube 5 can be constructed of any practical size, at least in part, ent upon the corresponding size and shape of the reinforcement member to be received in use within the void provided by the first opening 7.

The non-circular geometry, particularly the square or rectangular profile of the grout tube 5 advantageously provides improved strength and addresses the prior art issues of potentially squashed, crushed and rotated out of position grout tubes due to applied loads. The non-circular geometry also advantageously makes the grout tube 5 easier to secure in position than a conventional round grout tube. r, the wave formations of the side walls 11, particularly the corrugations formed by the alternating ridges 13 and grooves 15, and the offset arrangement of corrugations between adjoining walls 11, advantageously provides in use improved mating of the exterior surface of the grout tube 5 with the surrounding cast concrete. r improved connectivity between the internal surface of the grout tube 5 and the reinforcement member n is provided once the grout mixture has hardened.

Furthermore, the non-circular profile of the grout tube 5, avoids the potential for rotation of the grout tube 5 when chaired up into position and to the desired high and further limits grout tube 5 nt by the ability to have mesh and reinforcement bars sitting flat on top of square grout tube e (or to the underside) and be fastened in position.

The grout tube of the present invention also advantageously provides for the clip fitment of the support stands 21, otherwise known as standoff legs (a 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ thinner narrow non free-standing chair) to the grout tube 5 which provides for height variation and also aids in preventing on of the grout tube 5. 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ 1. A grout tube for use in joining adjacent concrete building elements, the tube in use defining a void in a concrete ng t for receiving grout, the void including a first opening for receiving a reinforcement member from an adjacent concrete building element, and a second g for receiving grout into the tube to pack around the reinforcement member to secure the building elements, wherein the tube includes an elongate body with the first and second openings at opposite ends, the elongate body having a plurality of side walls providing the body with a non-circular cross-section. 2. A grout tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the side walls includes a series of alternating parallel ridges and grooves defining a corrugated surface, the ridges and grooves generally extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. 3. A grout tube as claimed in claim 2 wherein a corrugated surface is provided on each side wall and extends from one end of the elongate body to the other. 4. A grout tube as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ated surface of ing side walls is offset from one another such that the ridges in one side wall align with the grooves in the adjoining side wall and vice versa.

. A grout tube as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body includes four side walls providing the elongate body with a quadrilateral cross-section. 6. A grout tube as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body includes four side walls providing the elongate body with a lly square cross-section. 58_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ 7. A grout tube as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 wherein the body includes four side walls providing the elongate body with a generally rectangular crosssection. 8. A grout tube as d in any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of lugs is provided on ng side walls of the body for facilitating fastening of the tube to a support stand. 9. A grout tube as d in claim 8, when appended to claim 4, wherein the plurality of lugs is provided in the grooves of the side walls.

. A grout tube as claimed in any one of the ing claims wherein the first and second openings have threaded ns to facilitate interconnection with another grout tube. 11. A grout tube as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one end of the tube has a 90° bend providing the tube with a generally L-shaped appearance. 12. A grout tube as claimed in claim 11 wherein the 90° bend is adjacent the second opening. 13. A support stand for holding a grout tube prior to casting concrete around the grout tube, the grout tube having walls with a plurality of grooves, the support stand including a pair of spaced apart upright members and a cross-member bridging between the upright members, wherein the upright members are configured to accommodate the grout tube therebetween and engage within the s to t the grout tube. 14. A support stand as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cross-member is configured to abut with an underside or topside of the grout tube. 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ . A support stand as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14 further including a fastening arrangement to secure the grout tube on the support stand. 16. A support stand as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ing arrangement includes one or more locking members on each upright member for interlocking with one or more ponding locking members of the grout tube. 17. A support stand as claimed in any one of claims 13-16 in combination with a grout tube as claimed in any one of claims 1-12. 18742058_1 (GHMatters) P116087.NZ Figure 1 39_1 (GHManers) P116087.AU.1 0.59”. @232:va Wmflmgfl 3/63/6 0.59”. @232:va Wmflmgfl Figure 4a Figure 4b 6/66/6 2:9”.

Emfigrov 933m?