WO2021198876A1

WO2021198876A1 - Anchor

Info

Publication number: WO2021198876A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samuel White
Original assignee: Gripple Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-03
Filing date: 2021-03-29
Publication date: 2021-10-07
Also published as: GB202104191D0; GB202004929D0; GB2595557A

Abstract

An anchor comprises a securing member (20) to which a suspension member (14) can be secured. A projecting arrangement (26) is provided on the securing member (20). The projecting arrangement (26) defines a plurality of through apertures (28) for receiving a curable material therethrough. A holding arrangement (18) may be provided to hold the securing member (20). The holding arrangement (18) may comprise a fastening formation (44) to fasten the holding arrangement (18) to a surface.

Description

Anchor

This invention relates to anchors. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to anchors for suspending articles therefrom. Embodiments of this invention relate to ceiling or roof anchors.

It is often necessary to suspend articles, from ceilings. Typically, this is done by laying wooden or metal shuttering across the space where the ceiling is to be formed, and mounting an anchor on the shuttering. In the case of metal shuttering a hole is drilled through the shuttering and the anchor then mounted over the hole. Concrete is then poured over the shuttering, covering the anchor. When the concrete has set, thereby securing the anchor thereto, the shuttering can be removed, in the case of wooden shuttering, and a suspension member from which the article can be suspended secured to the anchor. In some situations, the anchor may come loose, pulling with it a frustum of the concrete surrounding the anchor.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided an anchor comprising: a securing member to which a suspension member can be secured; the securing member comprising a main part and a projecting arrangement on the main part, the projecting arrangement defining a plurality of through apertures. The through apertures may receive a curable material therethrough.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of suspending an article, said method comprising arranging an anchor described above on a surface; disposing a curable material on the surface to cover the anchor; securing a suspension member to the securing member; and attaching the article to the suspension member. In the method, the curable material may be received through the apertures.

The curable material may be a curable building material, such as concrete. The anchor may be a ceiling anchor. The anchor may be suitable to be embedded in the curable material. The curable material may be poured over the anchor.

The securing member may define a cavity. The cavity may be a cylindrical bore. The bore may be a blind bore. The cavity may be defined by the main part. The cavity may be threaded to allow a threaded suspension member to be screwed into the cavity. The main part may be cylindrical. The securing member may have opposite first and second ends. The method may comprise screwing the suspension member into the cavity.

The securing member may define an opening to provide access to the cavity. The opening may be defined in the first end of the securing member. The second end may be a closed end. The first end may be a lower end of the securing member. The second end may be an upper end of the securing member. The opening may be defined in the first end of the main part.

The projecting arrangement may comprise a flange. The projecting arrangement may extend around the main part. The projecting arrangement may be attached to the main part. The projecting arrangement may be arranged at the second end of the main part.

The through apertures may extend through the projecting arrangement in succession around the securing member. The through apertures may be arranged in an annular array around the main part.

The anchor may comprise a holding arrangement to hold the securing member. The method may comprise disposing the securing member on the holding arrangement so that the securing member is held by the holding arrangement. The method may comprise disposing the securing member within the holding arrangement.

The holding arrangement may comprise a receiving portion for receiving the securing member. The receiving portion may define a central space in which the securing member is received. The holding arrangement may hold the securing member in an upright position. The receiving portion may receive the main part.

The holding arrangement may comprise a fastening formation to fasten the holding arrangement to a surface. The method may comprise fastening the holding arrangement to the surface by means of the fastening formation. The surface may be a construction surface to facilitate constructing the building. The fastening formation may be attached to the receiving portion.

The fastening formation may extend outwardly from the receiving portion. The fastening formation may define a hole to receive a fastener therethrough. The fastener may be a screw, nail or the like. The fastening formation may be elongate.

The method may comprise inserting the fastener through the hole into the surface.

The holding arrangement may comprise two of said fastening formations. The method may comprise fastening the holding arrangement to the surface by means of both fastening formations. The fastening formations may be attached to the receiving portion opposite each other.

Each of said fastening formations may define a hole to receive a respective fastener therethrough. The method may comprise inserting a respective fastener through each hole into the surface.

The receiving portion may have first and second rim members. The first and second rim members may be arranged at first and second end regions of the receiving portion. A gap may be defined between the first and second rim members. The curable material may be received through the gap.

The first rim member may be arranged at the first end region of the receiving portion. The second rim member may be arranged at the second end region of the receiving portion.

The first end region may be a lower end region. The second end region may be an upper end region. The fastening formations may be attached to the receiving portion at the first end region thereof.

The holding arrangement may comprise bracing members extending from the second end region of the receiving portion. The bracing members may be attached to the receiving portion at the second end region thereof. The bracing members may brace the holding arrangement in an upright position. The bracing members may extend to the first end region of the receiving portion. The bracing members may be arranged to engage the aforesaid surface. The bracing members may thereby maintain the holding arrangement in an upright position. Thus, the bracing members may maintain the receiving portion in an upright position on the aforesaid surface.

The bracing members may be arranged on the receiving portion between the fastening formations. The bracing members may be arranged opposite each other. The bracing members may comprise leg members. The leg members may be elongate.

The holding arrangement may comprise a plurality of engaging lugs on the receiving portion for engaging the projecting arrangement of the securing member. The engaging lugs may be arranged around said second end region. The engaging lugs may be attached to the second rim member.

The holding arrangement may comprise at least one support rib extending between the first and second end regions of the receiving portion. The, or each, support rib may extend from the second rim member to the, or a respective, fastening formation. The, or each, support rib may extend partially across the central space.

The support ribs may engage the projecting arrangement. The support ribs may support the securing member.

The receiving portion may have upstanding members extending from the second end region of the receiving portion. The upstanding members may receive the securing member therebetween.

The anchor may comprise an extension member. The extension members may extend from the receiving portion. The extension member may extend from the first end region of the receiving portion. Each extension member may define a cavity, the cavity being in communication with the cavity defined by the securing member. Said communication may be via the opening defined by the securing member.

The anchor may further include securing formations on the extension member for securing the anchor to the support article. The securing formations may comprise snap fit formations.

The method may comprise mounting the anchor on the support article by forming a hole in the support article. The extension member may be inserted through the hole when the anchor is arranged on the support article.

The securing formations may be provided on the extension member. The securing formations may engage the underside of the support article to secure the anchor to the support article.

The elongate member may be inserted into the conduit via the extension members. The elongate member may be screwed into the cavity in the securing member.

At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchor;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the anchor;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of a securing member;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the securing member;

Figure 5 is a sectional side view showing the anchor fastened to a surface;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the anchor; Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the anchor;

Figure 8 is a sectional side view of the anchor after the surface has been removed, showing a curable material thereon, and a suspension member secured thereto;

Figure 9 is a sectional side view of the anchor having a flange defining apertures, and broken lines representing the interaction of the curable material with the flange;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a further anchor;

Figure 11 is a sectional side view of the anchor shown in Figure 10 in use;

Figure 12 is a perspective of another anchor;

Figure 13 is a sectional side view of the anchor shown in Figure 12 during installation; and

Figure 14 is a sectional side view of the anchor shown in Figure 12 in use.

Figures 1 to 9 of the drawings show an anchor 10 for installation within a ceiling 12 so that articles can be suspended therefrom by means of a suspension member in the form of a threaded rod 14 (see Figure 8).

The anchor 10 comprises a securing member 16 and a holding arrangement 18 to hold the securing member 16 in an upright position. In use, the securing member 16 is disposed within the holding arrangement.

The securing member 16 comprises a cylindrical main portion 20 having a lower first end 22 and an upper second end 24. The securing member 16 further comprises a projecting arrangement in the form of an annular flange 26 at the second end 24 of the main portion 20.

The flange 26 extends radially outwardly from the second end 24 of the main portion 20. A plurality of through apertures 28 are defined in the flange 26, the apertures 28 being arranged in a circular array around the flange 26. The main portion 20 defines an axially extending threaded cavity 30 into which a threaded rod 14 can be screwed. An opening 32 is defined in the first end 22 of the main portion 20 to provide access for the threaded rod 14 into the cavity 30.

The holding arrangement 18 comprises a receiving portion 34 in which the securing member 16 is received in an orientation in which the first end 22 of the securing member 16 is below the second end 24. The receiving portion 34 defines a central space 35 in which the main portion 20 is received.

The receiving portion 34 has an open lower first end region 36 and an upper second end region 38. The open lower first end region 36 is aligned with the opening 32 and the cavity 30 defined by the main portion 20. This allows the threaded rod 14 to be received through into the cavity 30 via the open lower first end region 36 of the receiving portion 34 and the opening 32 defined by first end 22 of the main portion 20.

A first rim member 40 is arranged at the open lower first end region 36 of the receiving portion 34. A second rim member 42 is arranged at the upper second end region 38 of the receiving portion 34. A gap 43 is defined between the first and second rim members 40, 42.

Two elongate fastening formations 44 are attached to the first rim member 40 of the receiving portion 34, and extend in opposite directions therefrom. The fastening formations 44 are arranged on the first rim member 40 opposite each other.

Each fastening formation 44 has a free end region 46. An elongate connecting member 47 connects the free end region 46 to the first rim member 40. The free end region 46 defines a hole 48 through which a fastener 50 such as a nail or a screw can be inserted to fasten the holding arrangement 18 to a construction surface. The construction surface comprises formwork or shuttering 51 upon which a curable material in the form of concrete can be poured to form the ceiling 12. The shuttering is in the form of wooden or metal boards.

The receiving portion 34 further includes four support ribs 52 extending between the first and second end regions 36, 38 of the receiving portion 34. Each support rib 52 is attached to the second rim member 42 and extends therefrom to a respective one of the fastening formations 44. The support ribs 52 are attached to the respective fastening formations 44.

The support ribs 52 extend into the central space 35 to engage the flange 26 and support the securing member 16.

The holding arrangement 18 further includes bracing members in the form of leg members 54 attached to the second rim member 42 of the receiving portion 34 between the support ribs 52. Each leg member 54 extends from the second rim members 42 to terminate at a free end substantially coplanar with the open lower first end region 36 of the receiving portion 34. The leg members 54 engage the shuttering 51 to maintain the holding arrangement 18 in an upright position.

The holding arrangement 18 further includes a plurality of engaging lugs 56 on the receiving portion 34 for engaging the flange 26 when the securing member 16 is received by the receiving portion 34. The engaging lugs 56 are attached to the second rim member 42, and are arranged around the second rim member 42.

In use, during the construction of a ceiling 12, formwork or shuttering 51 , in the form of wooden or metal boards are laid across the space in which the ceiling 12 is to be constructed. A plurality of the anchors 10 are then fastened to the shuttering 51 .

Where the shuttering 51 is in the form of metal boards, a respective hole is drilled through the shuttering 51 before fastening each anchor 10 thereto. The holding arrangement 18 of each anchor is then fastened to the metal boards over the respective holes. Thus, the openings 32 defined by the main portion 20 of the anchor 10 are aligned with the holes drilled in the shuttering 51.

The anchors 10 are fastened to the shuttering 51 by inserting fasteners 50, for example nails, through the holes 48 in the fastening formations 44 and then driving the fasteners 50 into the shuttering 51 . The anchors 10 are thus fastened to the shuttering 51 in an upright position. The leg members 54 engage the shuttering 51. Thus, the shuttering 51 is engaged by the fastening formations 44 and the leg members 54. This has the effect of preventing the anchors 10 being kicked over if a workman trips over one or more of them while working, or if materials are dragged over the anchors 10 during construction.

Concrete is then poured over the shuttering 51 to a desired depth, covering the anchors 10 fastened to the shuttering 51. The depth of the concrete is represented by the line 60 in Figures 8 and 9. The concrete flows through the apertures 28 and through the gap 43.

When the concrete has cured, the shuttering 51 in the form of wooden boards is removed, revealing the open end of the receiving portion 34 and the opening 32 in the first end 22 of the main portion 20. In the case of shuttering 51 in the form of metal boards, the shuttering 51 is left in place. The ends of the fasteners 50 can be removed so that they do not protrude from the concrete.

A threaded rod 14 is then screwed into the cavity 30, and tightened therein. An article, for example a pipe or cable tray, is attached to the lower end of the threaded rod 14. This creates a load on the anchor 10, and stress on the concrete. As a result, there is a risk that the anchor 10 could be pulled out of the concrete if the load is too great.

The feature of the through apertures 28 defined in the flange 26 has the effect of reducing the risk that the anchor 10 will be pulled out of the concrete. When the weight applied to the threaded rod 14 large enough to pull the anchor 10 away from the ceiling 12, the anchor 10 pulls with it a frustrum of concrete. The larger the frustum of concrete pulled from the ceiling 12, the greater the force required to pull the anchor 10 therefrom.

It has been found that the use of an anchor 10 with a flange 26 defining a plurality of apertures 28 causes a larger frustum of concrete to be removed (as indicated by the broken lines 62 in Figure 9). It has been found that the frustum of concrete shown in Figure 9 is larger than the frustum created using an anchor 10 with a flange 26 having no apertures 28. While not wishing to be limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the concrete interacts with the flange 26 by flowing through the apertures 28 to create linking regions between the concrete and the flange 26 around the regions of the flange 26 radially outwardly of the apertures 28. Two of the linking regions are shown schematically in Figure 9 by circular broken lines 62A.

In addition, the engaging lugs 56 have the effect of spreading the load on the anchor 10 outwards in a conical configuration into the concrete. This has the effect of requiring a greater force to pull the anchor 10 out of the concrete than would otherwise be the case.

The provision of apertures 28 defined by the flange 26 provides the advantage in the embodiment described and shown herein that the anchor 10 is more difficult to pull out of the concrete than similar sized prior art anchors. The embodiment described herein is as difficult to pull out of concrete as a larger anchor.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

A further anchor, generally designated 110, is shown in Figures 10 and 11. The anchor 110 comprises many of the features of the anchor 10. These features of the anchor 210 have been designated with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features shown in Figures 1 to 9. The anchor 110 provides the same advantages as the anchor 10.

The anchor 110 differs from the anchor 10 in that the engaging lugs 56 are omitted. The securing member 16 is supported by the support ribs 52 in engagement with the flange 26. The receiving portion 34 includes four upstanding members 156 spaced around the upper edge of the second end region 38.

When the main part 20 is received by the receiving portion 34, the flange 26 engages the top edges of the support ribs 52, thereby supporting the securing member 16 in the receiving portion 34. Another anchor, generally designated 210, is shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14. The anchor 210 is particularly suitable for use in ceilings formed using shuttering 51 in the form of metal decking.

The anchor 210 comprises many of the features of the anchors 10, 110. These features of the anchor 210 have been designated with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features shown in Figures 1 to 11. The anchor 210 provides the same advantages as the anchors 10, 110.

The anchor 210 differs from the anchor 10 in that, similar to the anchor 110, the engaging lugs 56 are omitted, so that the securing member 16 is supported by the support ribs 52 in engagement with the flange 26. The receiving portion 34 includes the upstanding members 156 spaced around the perimeter of the second end region 38.

A further difference between the anchor 210 and the anchors 10, 110 is that the anchor 210 comprises a tubular extension member 212 extending from the receiving portion 34 at the lower first end region 36.

The extension member 212 defines a cavity 214 in communication with the threaded cavity 30 in the main part 20 of the securing member 16.

The anchor 210 further includes snap fit formations 216 on the extension member 212. The snap fit formations 216 to secure the anchor 210 to the shuttering 51, as explained below.

The anchor 210 may be mounted on the shuttering 51 in the form of metal decking, represented schematically in Figures 13 and 14. A hole 218 is drilled into the shuttering 51 to receive the extension member 212 therethrough.

The anchor 210 is arranged on the shuttering 51 with the extension member 212 inserted through the hole 218, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The snap fit formations 216 engage the underside of the shuttering 51 to secure the anchor 210 to the shuttering 51. Fasteners in the form of screws are inserted through the apertures 48 and screwed into the shuttering 51 thereby fastening the anchor 210 to the shuttering 51.

Concrete is then poured over the shuttering 51 covering the anchor 210 to form the ceiling. When the concrete has cured, if desired, a fire retardant may be sprayed over the underside of the shuttering 51.

A threaded rod 14 is then secured to the anchor 210 by being inserted through the extension member 212, and screwed into the threaded cavity 30 via the opening 32 and tightened therein.

When the threaded rod 14 is tightened within the threaded cavity 30 of the anchor 210, an article can be attached to the threaded rod 14 in the same way as described above.

Claims

1 . An anchor comprising: a securing member to which a suspension member can be secured; and a projecting arrangement on the securing member; wherein the projecting arrangement defines a plurality of through apertures for receiving a curable material therethrough.

2. An anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the securing member defines a cavity in which the suspension member can be secured.

3. An anchor according to claim 2, wherein the cavity is threaded to allow a threaded suspension member to be screwed into the cavity.

4. An anchor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the securing member has opposite first and second ends, and wherein the securing member defines an opening to provide access to the cavity, the opening being defined in the first end of the securing member, and the projecting arrangement being arranged at the second end of the securing member.

5. An anchor according to any preceding claim, wherein the projecting arrangement extends around the securing member.

6. An anchor according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures extend through the projecting arrangement around the securing member.

7. An anchor according to claim 6, wherein the apertures are arranged in an annular array around the securing member.

8. An anchor according to any preceding claim, comprising a holding arrangement to hold the securing member.

9. An anchor according to claim 8, wherein the holding arrangement comprises a receiving portion in which the securing member is received, and the holding arrangement further comprising a fastening formation to fasten the holding arrangement to a surface.

10. An anchor according to claim 9, wherein the fastening formation extends outwardly from the receiving portion, the fastening formation defining a hole to receive a fastener therethrough.

11. An anchor according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the holding arrangement comprises two of said fastening formations, the fastening formations being attached to the receiving portion opposite each other.

12. An anchor according to claim 9, 10 or 11 , wherein the receiving portion has first and second rim members at respective first and second end regions of the receiving portion, and a gap is defined between the first and second rim members, the curable material being receivable through the gap.

13. An anchor according to claim 12, wherein the holding arrangement comprises at least one rib extending between the first and second end regions of the receiving portion, the, or each, rib extending from the second rim member to the, or a respective, fastening formation.

14. An anchor according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first end region is a lower end region, and the second end region is an upper end region, and wherein the, or each, fastening formation is attached to the receiving portion at the first end region thereof.

15. An anchor according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the holding arrangement comprises support members extending from the second end region of the receiving portion, the support members supporting the holding arrangement in an upright position of the holding arrangement.

16. An anchor according to claim 15, wherein the support members extend to the first end region of the receiving portion to engage the aforesaid surface.

17. An anchor according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the support members comprise elongate leg members.

18. An anchor according to any preceding claim, comprising an extension member extending from the receiving portion.

19. An anchor according to claim 18 when dependent upon claim 14, wherein the extension member extends from the lower end region of the receiving portion.

20. An anchor according to claim 18 or 19, including securing formations on the extension member for securing the anchor to the support article.

21 . A method of suspending an article, said method comprising arranging an anchor as claimed in claim 1 on a surface; disposing a curable material on the surface to cover the anchor; securing a suspension member in the cavity; and attaching the article to the suspension member, whereby the curable material is received through the apertures.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the cavity is threaded and the step of securing the suspension member in the cavity comprises screwing the suspension member into the cavity.

23. A method according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the anchor comprises a holding arrangement to hold the securing member, and the method comprises disposing the securing member on the holding arrangement so that the securing member is held by the holding arrangement.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of disposing the securing member on the holding arrangement comprises disposing the securing member within the holding arrangement.

25. A method according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the holding arrangement comprises a fastening formation to fasten the holding arrangement to a surface, and the method comprises fastening the holding arrangement to the surface by means of the fastening formation.