Abstract:
A hand-held void forming device, including a handle having two handle elements moveable relative to each other; and a void forming portion having two void forming elements moveable relative to each other, the void forming portion being operatively connected to the handle whereby movement of the handle elements relative to each other moves the void forming elements relative to each other.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     This invention claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/355,532, filed Feb. 8, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for positioning an anchor in a concrete fabrication and for forming a void in the concrete fabrication to allow access to the anchor. 
     Various systems and methods have been provided for forming a void or space around such anchors in a concrete article. Two types of such article include those which are mounted to walls of the mold of the concrete, and those which are hand-held during at least a portion of the solidification of the poured concrete. 
     The present invention is drawn to the hand-held type of device. One problem frequently encountered with these types of devices is difficulty in removing the device from the hardened concrete when desired. 
     It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide for positioning of an anchor and forming of a void or space around the anchor as desired, while nevertheless facilitating removal of the device when desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a hand-held anchor applicator and void forming device is provided which has a handle portion and a void forming portion, wherein each of the handle portion and void forming portion includes two main components, each of which are pivotable relative to each other, such that manipulation of the handle portions can readily open the members of the void forming portions so as to facilitate removal from the concrete, and from around an anchor positioned within the concrete. 
     A particular advantage of the present invention is the provision of a spring within the handle of the device to bias the device toward a closed position, such that leakage of fluid or liquid concrete into any spaces between the components of the void-forming member is discouraged or prevented. This function of the present device is further facilitated by forming the article from a shape-memory material such that the rest position of the article is with both elements of the void-forming portion of the device pressed together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of preferred embodiment of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a hand-held void-forming article in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a further view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5–7  illustrate use of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  to position an anchor within a concrete article, and form a void or space around a portion of the anchor as desired. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for positioning an anchor within a concrete fabricated article, and for forming a void or space around a portion of the anchor to allow access to same. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a hand-held anchor applicator  10  in accordance with the present invention, and has a handle portion generally referred to at  12  and a recess or void forming portion generally referred to at  14 . As will be further illustrated below, applicator  10  in accordance with the present invention is used to position an anchor, typically in the form of an inverted-U shape piece of steel or other suitable material, into a poured concrete fabrication or article and hold the anchor in place while the concrete hardens, and further to form a void or recess in the concrete around a portion of the anchor to allow access to same as desired. 
     In this regard, recess forming portion  14  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  has generally the shape of a rounded-edged partial disc, and this shape is selected to provide the desired shape of the recess formed by same. Thus, in this embodiment, recess forming portion  14  preferably has two members  16 ,  18  which, in combination, form an outwardly partial disc-shaped member, and which are pivotable away from each other to an open position to facilitate positioning of an anchor (not shown in this drawing) in an anchor recess  20  formed between members  16 ,  18  as shown. With an anchor positioned in recess  20 , applicator  10  can advantageously be used to position the anchor in a desired location in a concrete article. 
       FIG. 1  shows recess  20  having a contour, bending towards handle member  12  as it traverses between side faces of members  16 ,  18 . Anchor recess  20  is preferably contoured in this manner so as to match the approximate shape of the portion of the anchor which is to be engaged by same. 
     Handle portion  12  preferably includes two handle members  22 ,  24  which are also pivotably mounted relative to each other, and which are adapted such that squeezing of handle members  22 ,  24  together pivots recess forming members  16 ,  18  away from each other to an open position as desired. In this regard, handle members  22 ,  24  can be provided having one or more finger grip portions as shown to facilitate gripping by hand. Handle members  22 ,  24  are further preferably adapted to pivot members  16 ,  18  open when handle members  22 ,  24  are closed, and to close members  16 ,  18 , or allow them to close, when handle members  22 ,  24  are opened. Handle members  22 ,  24  are further preferably biased away from each other in accordance with the present invention so as to urge recess forming members  16 ,  18  toward each other in a rest position. 
     Handle members  22 ,  24  are further preferably adapted such that, in an open position as shown in  FIG. 1 , they are still comfortably held within one hand. 
     Still as shown in  FIG. 1 , handle portion  12  may further have a pivot-facilitating opening  26  positioned to allow easier closing of handle members  22 ,  24  when desired. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , further details of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  are illustrated, wherein it is shown that a channel  28  may advantageously be formed within applicator  10 , preferably extending through one or both of handle members  22 ,  24  and, if desirable, into recess forming members  16 ,  18  such that an elongated rod can be inserted into channel  28 , and the rods can be used to assist in pivoting applicator  10  to an open position. 
     Further as shown by phantom lines in  FIG. 2 , recess forming portion  14  may advantageously have several voids  30  positioned therein, which advantageously serve to reduce the material from which applicator  10  is made, reduce the weight of applicator  10 , and which may make manipulation of applicator  10 , for example to position an anchor within recess  20 , more easily accomplished. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , recess forming members  16 ,  18  preferably meet at a parting line  32 , and parting line  32  may advantageously extend from recess  20  to the peripheral edge  34  of recess forming portion  14 , and may further include an oppositely extending portion  36  extending toward handle portion  12  from anchor recess  20  so as to facilitate a complete opening of recess forming members  16 ,  18  as desired. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and shows voids  30  as well as channels  28  as discussed above. Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a resilient web  38  may advantageously be positioned between handle members  22 ,  24 , preferably with a space or void  40  positioned therebetween, which web  38  can serve to enhance operation of the device, for example by urging handle members  22 ,  24  toward an open position, and collapsing when handle members  22 ,  24  are squeezed to a closed position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4–7 , a further preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.  FIG. 4  shows an applicator  42  which is structurally similar to that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3 , but which has several different features. As shown in  FIG. 4 , rather than a resilient web between handle members  22 ,  24 , a spring member  44  is advantageously positioned between handle members  22 ,  24  and biases them toward an open position, as shown, to further assist in urging applicator  42  into a closed position wherein recess forming members  16 ,  18  are pressed tightly together along parting line  32 , and handle members  22 ,  24  are spread to the open position as shown. 
     Note also that in this embodiment, two channels  28  are positioned in each handle member  22 ,  24 . 
     As set forth above, opening  26  is preferably positioned substantially at a pivot point for handle members  22 ,  24 , to assist in such pivot. In this embodiment, spring  44  may advantageously be provided having a rounded base portion  45  which is adapted to substantially match the contour of opening  26 . This advantageously serves to help hold spring  44  in position between handle members  22 ,  24  as desired, and further provides for the desired squeezability of handle members  22 ,  24 , while nevertheless biasing such handles back toward an open position. 
     It should also be noted that  FIG. 4  shows an anchor  46  positioned in anchor recess  20  in a position suitable for use. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5–7 , use of an applicator  10 ,  42  in accordance with the present invention is further illustrated. For the sake of simplicity, these Figures illustrate use of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . Use of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  would be substantially the same. 
       FIG. 5  shows applicator  42  with handle members  22 ,  24  squeezed together to a closed position, thereby spreading recess forming members  16 ,  18  apart as shown. In this position, an anchor  46  can readily be positioned within anchor recess  20 . Handles  22 ,  24  are then preferably released, as shown in  FIG. 6 , such that spring  44  urges handle members  22 ,  24  apart and further urges recess forming members  16 ,  18  together so as to firmly engage anchor  46  within anchor recess  20  and press recess forming members  16 ,  18  together along parting line  32 . Applicator  42  with engaged anchor  46  is now ready for use in positioning anchor  46  within a poured concrete fabrication. 
       FIG. 7  shows an applicator  42  partially submerged into a liquid concrete fabrication  48 , with the lower portions of recess forming members  16 ,  18  submerged, and with anchor  46  extending downwardly into the liquid concrete. Applicator  42  is held in this position by a user until the concrete is sufficiently hardened, at which point handle members  22 ,  24  can be squeezed together as also shown in the right-hand portion of  FIG. 7  so as to pivot recess forming members  16 ,  18  away from each other, thereby releasing anchor  46  and facilitating removal of applicator  42  from concrete fabrication  48  as desired. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the result is anchor  46  with arms and ends (not shown in this figure) embedded within the concrete fabrication as desired, and with a recess or void  50  formed around a portion  52  of anchor  46  such that portion  52  is exposed, for example to be hooked-onto during later construction or use of the concrete fabrication as is well known in the industry. 
     Applicator  10 ,  42  may be positioned in the liquid concrete after pouring, or can be held in desired position during pouring if desired. 
     It should be readily appreciated that applicator  10 ,  42  in accordance with the present invention advantageously allows for opening of recess forming members  16 ,  18  to position anchor  46  in anchor recess  20  as desired, while nevertheless providing for a firm closing of recess forming members  16 ,  18  around anchor  46 , merely by releasing handle members  22 ,  24 , which is particularly advantageous in accordance with present invention. This serves to firmly hold anchor  46  in the desired position, and further serves to prevent leakage of liquid concrete, for example into gaps along parting line  32  or anchor recess  20 , which would interfere with the quality of the anchor installation. 
     Applicator  10 ,  42  in accordance with the present invention can advantageously be formed from any suitable rubber or other flexible yet durable material. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.