WO2008041836A1

WO2008041836A1 - An improved sleeve anchor

Info

Publication number: WO2008041836A1
Application number: PCT/MY2007/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kok Hua Liow
Original assignee: Kok Hua Liow
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2007-03-06
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: MY147466A; CN101158368A

Abstract

An improved sleeve anchor comprises a tubular shell (20) with plurality of clefts (21) which extends from one end to the body part (23) of the tubular shell; a shank (10) defined by drill bit (11) with fluted part (12) at one end, shank body (13) and threaded part (14) at the opposite end with a locking groove (17b) placed at the upper top surface of the threaded end (18) in which the threaded part (14) and the shank body (13) are telescopically inserted into the tubular shell (20) with the cleft end (24) directed to the drill bit (11); a nut (15) having at least one locking groove (17a) is fixed at the threaded end (18) of the shank (10); and a locking means (25) to be inserted into the locking grooves (17a and 17b) on the shank (10) and nut (15) to prevent rotational movement of the nut (15) during the drilling process, wherein said fluted part (12) is tapered towards the threaded end (18) to form an expander wedge to expand the cleft end (24) of the tubular (20) shell to form a strong fixture while the shank is drawn upward by the spinning the nut (15) once the locking means (26) being removed.

Description

An Improved Sleeve Anchor

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an improved sleeve anchor or wedge anchor which can perform as a drill bit during the drilling process and function as a strong wall fastener for structural fixture as well.

Background of Invention

Sleeve anchor or wedge anchor is a heavy metal fixing in which large bolts are anchored in a metal housing or shield for securing heavy items in concrete. This type of wall anchors are especially ideal for overhead and ceiling work, securing cable trays, ducting or installing radiator brackets, and commonly applied for partitions and structural fixture in office.

However, before applying sleeve anchors on concrete "wall or metal housing, suitable apertures have to been made by drilling first. Such practice is inconvenient for those people who are not familiar with drill, especially for those would like perform drilling job by DIY. This is because few parameters such as types of drill, drill bits, size of the drill bits, and the depth of the holes have to be chosen correctly before one can drill suitable apertures to fix the sleeve anchors. Picking up of the wrong parameters not only spoil the targeted object but also break the tools used. For example, ineptly utilize the drill bits shall wear off the bits easily and the hole drilled may not suit for the size of sleeve anchor to be fixed.

Even those professions in using drill for their daily job face the problem of time wasting as required to shift their working tools in their daily work from drilling a hole to finally fix a wall anchor onto the targeted object. Sometimes, accidents may happen during changing the clamp jaws or drill bits. Thus, a tool able to simplify the drilling process is a necessity. Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide a hybrid type of sleeve anchor or wedge anchor which is not only used as a strong fixture for securing heavy items on wall but also function as a drill bit in the corresponding size of the sleeve anchor itself.

Further objective of the present invention relates to a novel type of sleeve anchor that can be easily handled and used with wrench preferably coupled with a power tool. In more particular, the present invention enables the user to drill the wall and fix the sleeve anchor on the wall only using a powered socket wrench without changing different types of clamp j aws or drill bits as in normal drills.

The present invention also aims to reduce the cost for wall drilling process due to abrasion of the drill bits or the damage of the targeted object caused by worn drill bits.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide improved sleeve anchor comprises a tubular shell with plurality of clefts which extends from one end to the body part of the tubular shell; a shank with one end shaped into drill bit with fluted part, a shank body and the remaining part of the shank is threaded with a groove predisposed at the upper top surface of the threaded end in which the threaded part of the shank are telescopically inserted into the tubular shell with the cleft end directed to the drill bit; a nut having at least one groove is , fixed at the threaded end of the shank; and a locking means to be inserted into the grooves on the shank and nut to prevent rotational movement of the nut during the drilling process, wherein said flute part is tapered towards the threaded end to form an expander wedge to expand the cleft end of the shell to form a strong fixture while the shank is drawn upward by the ^' nut once the locking means being removed.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes the use of washer with the nut to significantly enhance the fixture of the present improved sleeve anchor on the wall. The present invention also preferably shaped the part of drill bit into the form masonry drill bit or core drill bit to ease the process of drilling.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an explosive view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the grooves on the nut and the upper top surface of the threaded end;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the present invention as shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention using slats to form a tubular shell that held by holding means;

Figure 5 shows the perspective view of the specially designed wrench like apparatus to be used with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows utilization of the embodiment of figure 1 being mounted into a socket wrench.

Detail Description of the Invention

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiment describes herein is not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.

The directional term such as "upper", "upper top", "parallel", "top", "bottom" and

"longitudinally" used throughout herein the specification is generally refers to the relative direction of the present invention while positioning the present invention vertically with the drill bit facing downward directed to the horizontal plane and the upper top surface of the threaded end facing upward.

The present invention involves an improved sleeve anchor for a wall structure comprises a tubular shell (20), a shank (10) having part of it^' shaped into drill bit (11) and partly threaded (14) for fixation of a nut (15) onto the shank (10) as well as body (13) of the shank, and a locking means (26) providing a locking mechanism to prevent rotational movement of the nut (15) due to the torque as the drilling process progress.

As shown in figure 1, the present invention comprises a shank (10) with one end shaped into drill bit (1 1) with flutes (12) or fluted part. It is important to note that different types of drill bit (11) can be mold onto the end of the shank (10) to carry out the task of drilling. Nonetheless, masonry dill bit or core drill bit are more preferable in order to drill the concrete wall in the present invention. Others metal or wood drill bits, for example spade bit, lip and spur bit, twist bit, left-hand bit forstner bit, step bit, gimlet bit, auger bit, brace drill bit can be shaped onto the shank (10) too for different targeted objects.

Adjacent to the drill bit (11) is the fluted part (12) to remove swarf produced by the drilling process. Low helix at the fluted part (12) is more preferable in the present invention to clean and remove large volume of swarf to provide a clean hole for the fixture of the sleeve anchor itself. Clogging the drilled hole by swarf not only hinder the drilling process but also prohibit fixture of the sleeve anchor onto the targeted object. It is preferably single fluted part used, though multiple-fluted part can be applied also. In order to perform as an expander wedge to expand the tubular shell (20) while the shank (10) is drawn upward by nut (15) to fix the sleeve anchor, the fluted part (12) is tapered with a larger diameter at the part near to the drill bit (1 1) .than the diameter adjacent to the body (13) of the shank. In referring to the figure I₅ the remaining part of the shank (10) consists of a threaded portion (14) at the other end of the shank for mounting of a nut (15) and a washer (16) fixed below the nut (15).

A groove as illustrated in figure 1 and 2 is made across at the upper top surface of the threaded portion (17b) and the upper top surface of the nut (17a) to provide therein a locking mechanism to prevent rotational movement of the nut during the drilling process in aid of a locking means (25). Nonetheless, the grooves can be predisposed at the side surfaces or other part of the threaded portion (14) and the nut (15) as long as the locking means (25) can serve it purpose to have the shank (10) and the nut (15) rotate as a. whole during the drilling process. The locking means (25) mentioned herein refers to a piece of strip can be fitted into the aligned grooves (17a and 17b) on the nut (15) and upper top surface of the threaded end (18). It functions as a stopper to prevent the rotational movement of the nut along the threads on the shank during the drilling process. Instead, the locking means (25) have the shank (10) and the nut rotate together when the sleeve anchor is driven into the wall structure by the drill bit. By . fitting the locking means (25) into the aligned grooves (17a and 17b), the rotational torque applied onto the nut (15) is transferred into a rotational movement of the whole sleeve anchor which leads to drilling of the targeted object by the drill bit (11). Furthermore an aperture (26) on the locking means (25) is used to pull off the locking means (25) from the groove (17a and 17b) by a hook-like external tool, for example Allen key. Once removal of the locking means (25), subjecting the nut (15) to further rotational torque, preferably clock-wise, from a wrench-like tool shall drive the nut move along the threads (14) and draw the shank body. (13) closer to the nut.

Another important features of the present invention is a tubular shell (20) which is expandable or splayable at one end to strongly fix the sleeve anchor in the drilled hole once it is drawn to move against the expander wedge (fluted part). In the preferred embodiment, this tubular shell (20) has a plurality of clefts (21) extend from one end (22) to the body part (23) of the tubular shell providing therein the tubular shell (20) to be expandable at this cleft end (24) while an outstretching force applied. Another embodiment involves the use of a plurality of slats (28) held by at least one holding means (33) to construct the tubular shell (20). These slats (28) have a top edge, a bottom edge and parallel edges. The parallel edges can be smooth edged or shaped into different patterns that complement to the edge of other slats to enhance the force that hold the slats (28) together. For holding the slats (28) in its preferred tubular form, the holding means (33) are preferably to be rim-liked structure as shown in figure 4.

Figure 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the foregoing mentioned elements assembled together. The threaded part (14) and body (13) of the shank are telescopically inserted into the tubular shell (20) with the expandable end directed to fluted part (12) (expander wedge). The nut (15) is mounted on top of the tubular shell (20) with the washer (16) and it is locked at its position by the aid of locking means (25). Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention whereby the tubular shell is constructed from slats (28). As illustrated in^' figure 4, the slats (28) are held together by rim-like holding means (33). The holding means (33) is designed to be weak against expansion force thus it does not hinder the expandability of the tubular shell (20). The inner diameter of the tubular shell has to be slightly larger than the diameter of the threads and the shank body in order the tubular shell (20) slidably mounted into the shank (10). Nevertheless, the tapered fluted part (12) shall have a broader diameter than the inner diameter of the tubular shell to expand the tubular shell when it is squeezed through it.

In order to fully employ the improved sleeve anchor of the present invention in the field, it is preferably to use it with a specially designed wrench means (30) disclosed herein as illustrated in figure 5. This wrench means (30) basically comprises a tubular socket wrench body (35) with side walls, one open end excavated into the body to form a hollow compartment (36) for the improved sleeve anchor to fit in and one close end. At least one observing aperture (34) is positioned on the side wall of the socket wrench body. Plurality of protrusion is found on the inner surface of the hollow compartment (36) to hold the sleeve anchor at a position inside the compartment where the locking means (25) mounted onto the nut can be seen from the observing aperture. This wrench means may optionally have one shaped shaft (37) extending from the close end which can be fit into a chuck in order machines like pneumatic nut driver.

Figure 6 shows the present invention being mounted into the abovementioned wrench means (30) to be drilled into the targeted object. At least an observing aperture (34) is made to the wrench means (34). The observing aperture (34) provides a slot for the user to remove the locking means (25) and observe the progress of drilling as well as nut driving. At first user has to mount the nut (15) of the improved sleeve anchor into a wrench (30). The nut is held in the socket wrench with the locking means (25) exposed under the observing aperture (34). A plurality of protrusion (31) found in the wrench (30) assist in holding the improve sleeve anchor at its position in the wrench. The socket wrench is preferably worked with an electrically powered hammer drill or rotary hammer drill. When the motor of the drill is on,- the rotational motion of the drill is transferred to the mounted nut (15). Due to the presence of the locking means (25) that prohibiting the nut (15) to be driven along the thread (14), the rotational torque shall spin the whole improved sleeve anchor. Hammering torque and rotational motion drive the drill bit (11) of the. improved anchor sleeve to drill the targeted object. Once the improved sleeve anchor reaches the desire depth into the targeted object, user needed to^~detach the locking means (25) from the locking grooves (17a and 17b). Then, subject the nut (15) to further rotational motion or spinning to draw the shank (10) upward the inner surface of the wrench (30) or away from the drilled wall structure. Subsequently, the fluted part (12) of the shank is then squeezed through the tubular shell (20) by the pulling force thus outspread or expands the tubular shell (20). The outstretched slats (28) of the tubular shell (20) are secured into the targeted object and tighten the improved sleeve anchor strongly onto the targeted object. It is patentably important that the diameter of the nut is larger than the hole produced by the drill bit in order to fix the sleeve anchor on to the targeted object strongly. The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. An improved sleeve anchor for a wall structure comprises

(a) a tubular shell (20) with a plurality of clefts (21) which extends from one end to the body part (23) of the tubular shell;

(b) a shank (10) defined by drill bit (11) connected to a fluted part (12) at one end, a shank body (13) and a threaded portion (14) at the opposite end to form a threaded end, wherein the fluted part (12) is tapered towards the threaded end with a groove (17b) predisposed at the upper top surface of the threaded end and the shank body (13) are telescopically inserted into the tubular shell (20) with the cleft end (24) directed to the drill bit (11);

(c) a nut (15) having at least a groove (17a) rotatably joined to the threaded end (18) of ±e shank (10); and

(d) a locking means (25) whereby the locking means (25) is inserted into the aligned grooves (17a and 17b) of the threaded end and the nut to ensure the shank (10) and the nut (15) rotate together during the drilling process and the locking means (25) is removed at the end of the drilling process and the shank (10) is drawn away from the wall structure by spinning the nut (15), while the fluted part (12) acting as an expander wedge shall expand the cleft end of the tubular shell (20) for anchoring the sleeve anchor in the wall structure.

2. An improved sleeve anchor according to claim 1, further comprising a washer (16) fixed below the nut.

3. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said drill bit is a masonry drill bit.

4. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said drill bit is a core drill bit;

5. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the diameter of the nut is larger than the hole produced by the drill bit.

6. An improved sleeve anchor comprises: (a) a plurality of slats (28) are held by at least one holding means (33) to form a tubular shell (20);

(b) a shank (10) defined by drill bit (11) connected to a fluted part (12) at one end, a shank body (13) and a threaded portion (14) at the opposite end to form a threaded end, wherein the fluted part (12) is tapered towards the threaded end with a groove (17b) predisposed at the upper top surface of the threaded end and the shank body (13) are telescopically inserted into the tubular shell (20);

(c) a nut (15) having at least a groove (17a) rotatably joined to the threaded end (18) ofthe shank (10); and

(d) a locking means (25) whereby the locking means is inserted into the aligned grooves (17a and 17b) of the threaded end and the nut to ensure the shank (10) and the nut (15) rotate together during the drilling process and the locking means (25) is removed at the end of the drilling process and the shank (10) is drawn away from the wall structure by spinning the nut (15), while the fluted part (12) acting as an expander wedge shall expand the slats of the tubular shell (20) for anchoring the sleeve anchor in the wall structure.

7. An improved sleeve anchor according to claim 6, further comprising a washer (16) fixed below the nut.

8. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said drill bit is a masonry drill bit.

9. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said drill bit is a core drill bit.

10. An improved sleeve anchor according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the diameter of the nut is larger than the hole produced by the drill bit.

11. An improved wrench means (30) comprises a tubular socket body (35) defined with side walls, an open end excavated into the body to form a hollow compartment (36) and a close end characterized in that at least one observing aperture (34) positioned on the side wall and a plurality of protrusion on the inner surface of the hollow compartment (36) for holding the sleeve anchor as claimed in the preceding claims at a position inside the hollow compartment where the locking means (25) mounted onto the nut can be seen and removed from the observing aperture (34).

12. An improved wrench means according to claim 11, further comprising a shaft (37) extended from the close end to be, fit into a chuck.