Abstract:
A solid masonry and hollow block fastening device that uses two expansion collars to secure a fastening thereof in varied masonry materials. In greater particularity, the two expansion collars are interconnected by a bridge of a unitary construction therewith in order to enhance the strength and holding power thereof when mounted on masonry material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,482, filed on Apr. 22, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a solid masonry and hollow block fastening device that uses two expansion collars to secure a fastening thereof in varied masonry materials. In greater particularity, the two expansion collars are interconnected by a bridge of a unitary construction therewith in order to enhance the strength and holding power thereof when mounted on masonry material. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    In general, the utilization of wedge anchors possessing two tapers and a threaded bolt structure is known in the art, having specific reference to Frischmann, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,512. 
         [0006]    Moreover, a web element in the form of a bridge connecting two tapers on a pair of wedge anchors located on an expansion dowel is also disclosed in Herb, U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,053. The provision of two wedge anchors that are interconnected by a web or bridge imparts a greater degree of anchoring strength to the overall expansion dowel. Nevertheless, the employment of a plurality of discrete or separate components forming the bridging connections between the two wedge anchors limits the increase in strength in comparison with the use of only a single tapered wedge anchor when deployed in masonry materials. Although, both of these patents seem to fulfill their intended functions, they are subject to limitations as to their strengths in forming fastening devices employed in solid masonry anchoring and securing applications. 
         [0007]    Further publications which are concerned with different types of masonry anchoring and fastening devices include French Patent No. 2,304,813 which discloses the structure of an expansion or spreader bolt for well fitting, that incorporates three wedge anchors each encompassed by a separate expandable sleeve member. 
         [0008]    Other patents which to various extents are directed to masonry or concrete fastening device, may be ascertained from the disclosures of Herb, U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,490 as well as Kaplan, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,717,322; 3,216,305; 3,667,341; 5,006,023. However, none of these publications discloses a double collar wedge anchor arrangement of the type under consideration herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In order to improve upon the capabilities of tapered wedge anchors as are currently known, the present invention provides for a metal collar or ring-shaped member that extends about each respective taper of a pair of spaced wedge anchors, wherein the collars are connected by means of a bridge that is constructed integral with the collars. Moreover, in order to eliminate relative rotation between the wedge anchors, a flat or groove is cut into one of the wedge anchors for receiving the bridge, as elucidated more specifically hereinbelow. 
         [0010]    Multiple collars on masonry devices provide for greater holding power or retentive strengths than fasteners with just one locking or fastening area. Tests conducted in the industry have evidenced a 50% increase in holding or anchoring power or strength utilizing two collars rather than only a single collar. The collars are deployed at specified distances from each other, whereby one collar cannot expand without the other collar following suit therewith. Since concrete psi increases with depth, a close proximity of the collars to each other is critical; since if the collars are spaced too far apart from each other, the bottom collar inserted into the masonry material will meet with a greater resistance and, consequently, the upper collar will not attain the same degree of expansion. An example of concrete inconsistency is encountered when the aggregate sinks to a lower depth than the surface area. In addition, employed or embedded rebar or wire mesh is normally encountered at 3″ and greater depths of the masonry or concrete, wherein these conditions increase the concrete psi at these levels. If rebar is encountered in a hole that is drilled in the masonry, multiple collars of an expansion device connected by a bridge will ensure expansion of at least one of the collars that is not in contact with the rebar. Collars on each size anchor are specifically spaced from each other so as to ensure maximum contact with the surface of the drilled hole in the concrete. 
         [0011]    The tensile hardness of each respective of the bridge connecting the collars in relation to the hardness of the bolt affects the holding power or strength of the anchor, in that the bolt has to have a higher tensile strength than the collar, so as to prevent any galling of the bolt limiting further expansion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Reference may now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates, generally diagrammatically, a view of the expansion bolt with the wedge anchor arrangement of the invention, shown inserted into a masonry hole; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2 through 4  illustrate diagrammatically various embodiments of the collar and bridge structure of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Referring in detail to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, there is diagrammatically represented an anchoring arrangement  10  pursuant to the invention. The arrangement  10  includes an elongate anchor bolt  12  having a screwthreaded end portion  14  adapted to receive thereon a washer  16  and a threaded nut  18 . 
         [0016]    Insertable into the opposite end of the anchor bolt, the latter of which is adapted to receive and mount a pair of axially spaced collar wedge anchors  20 ,  22 , whereby these are attachable to bolt  12  in a manner similar to applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,322, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0017]    As shown in the drawing, particularly in  FIG. 1 , each of the collar wedge anchors  20 ,  22  consists of a tapered frustoconical portion  24  having the narrower end  26  thereof facing towards the screw threaded end  14  of the anchor bolt  12 , and with the larger diameter end  28  extending into a ring-shaped segment  30  of constant diameter. The smaller end  26  of each frustoconical taper portion  24  extends into a cylindrical segment  32 , with the segment  32  of upper wedge anchor  20  extending into the interior of anchor bolt  12 , while the segment  32  of the endmost or lower wedge anchor  22  faces the end surface  34  of the larger diameter end  28  of wedge anchor  20 . 
         [0018]    The smaller segment  32  of each wedge anchor  20 ,  22  is encompassed by, respectively, annular collars  40 ,  42  having an open slit  40   a ,  42   a , which are integrally formed with a strip or web member  44  so as to provide a bridge  46  connecting the two wedge anchors  20 ,  22 . 
         [0019]    Hereby, the function of the inventive collar wedge anchor arrangement is discussed in more extensive detail further on in connection with the various preferred embodiments of the novel bridge structures and configurations. 
         [0020]    As can be ascertained from  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a suitable hole  50  is drilled into the concrete or masonry material  54 , the hole having a diameter which is approximately that of the outside diameter of each of the layer cylindrical segments  30  of wedge anchors  20 ,  22 . Thereupon, the anchor bolt  12  is tapped into the hole  50  until the washer  16  is flush with a fixture  52  that is located on the surface of the concrete  54 . 
         [0021]    After the anchoring arrangement  10  is inserted into the drilled hole  50  in the concrete  54 , the bridge  46  secures and positions both collars  40 ,  42  inside the hole by bearing against the side wall  56  thereof. When the nut  18  is tightened on the anchor bolt  12 , the collars  40 ,  42  in tandem expand over the respective tapers  24  of the wedge anchors. Due to this connection, the taper movement is identical for both wedge anchors. The radial loads, in turn, are synchronized to impart identical compression values on the concrete  54 . An axial flat or groove  60  formed in taper  24  and the surface of segment  30  of anchor  20  captures the web  44  of bridge  46 , thereby securing wedge anchors  20 ,  22  against relative rotation, and the depth of the flat or groove  60  determines a bridge thickness which locks the bridge  46  to the adjoining wall  56  of the drilled hole  50  so that this prevents rotation of the bridge. If the flat were not machined into the taper  24  and segment  30 , then the thickness of the collar material would not allow the wedge anchor to enter the drilled hole. The flat  60  in the taper  24  and segment  30  may vary with each size of anchor employed. The depth of the flat  60  plus the thickness of the collar material determines the amount of resistance the wedge anchor will exert on the concrete so as to avoid rotation within the drilled hole  50 . In addition, an allowance is normally made for bridge erosion which always occurs due to the friction between the inside hole wall  56  and the bridge  46 . On longer length anchors, the depth of the flat  60  formed in the taper  24  and segment  30  decreases. 
         [0022]    In this manner, bridge protrusion is maintained at all times guaranteeing non-rotation of the wedge anchor within the drilled hole  50 . The width of the bridge web  44 , as a rule is not less than 25% of the outer anchor diameter. The bridge protrusion, in addition to preventing rotation of the anchor, offers additional expansion anchor contact, thereby increasing the strength and the holding power of the anchor. 
         [0023]    The width of the bridge  46  and collars  40 ,  42 , as represented in  FIG. 2 , adds additional expansion anchoring contact to the taper  24 . This contact increases the holding power that is proportional to the bridge width, whereby the latter, a mentioned, can be increased up to 25% of the anchor bolt diameter. Bridge width and thickness are designed to prevent the rotation of the collars  40 ,  42  of the anchor, whereby if the bridge thickness did not have a mating flat on the taper  24  and segment  30 , the anchor bolt  12  could not enter the drilled hole  50  in the concrete  54 . The depth of the flat or groove  60  engages up to 75% of the thickness of the bridge material. This allows the bolt  12  of the anchoring device  10  to enter the drilled hole  50 , and for the bridge to have sufficient bearing contact against the inside wall  56  of the drilled hole  50 , such that this contact prevents the anchor from rotating and consequently allows for the expanding thereof. 
         [0024]    Tensile loading of an expansion anchor is precipitated by anchor slippage. Slippage of more than ⅛″ is indicative of anchor failure. The three areas of expansion anchor contact (the two tapers and the bridge) offer greater holding power than other dual wedge anchors; whereby this reduces the slippage factor considerably. The necked down area of the bolt where it meets the full body of the anchor is radiused. If it did not have a radius, a premature failure at this junction would most likely occur due to stress concentration factors. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  of the drawings shows a modified bridge  70 , wherein the elongate or axial center portion or web  72  is outwardly convexly curved, as illustrated at  74 , along the full longitudinal length thereof extending at opposite ends thereof into collars  76 ,  78 . 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the bridge  80  has a web  82  that is coextensive with the surface curvature of the collars  84 ,  86 , the latter of which each have at least one raised dimple  88 ,  90  adapted to contact the wall  56  of the drilled hole  50  in the concrete. 
         [0027]    The depth of the flat or groove  60  formed in taper  24  and segments  30  of anchor  20  serves multiple functions. A partial depth of the flat expands the respective bridge located therein to a greater diameter than the drilled hole  50 . When the anchor bolt  12  is inserted in the concrete  54 , this creates a frictional attachment between the bridge and inside the hole. This prevents the anchor from rotating in the hole, and consequently upon tightening of the nut  18 , the anchor will expand. Another method of preventing anchor rotation is to mill a groove to the root diameter of the bolt  12 . The bridge which is captured in this slot has one or more dimple protrusion along its length ( FIG. 4 ); whereby this prevents rotation of the anchor. These dimple protrusions may be created by coining the bridge in a stamping process, whereby this work hardens the bridge and prevents premature failure of the bridge due to the softness of the bridge metal. Another function of the multiple dimples is to secure the collars in a non-rotational manner in the hole  50 . The lead or lower dimple will abrade as it scores the inside of the drilled hole as the anchor is driven home. The score line is then occupied by the following or upper unabraded dimple, and an anchorage is secured against rotation. Additional dimples and pinches can also be introduced in the collars. 
         [0028]    In oversized holes, or masonry material with a low psi, such as concrete block or brick, rotation of the anchor is a problem. The collars must bear against the sides of the hole in order for the anchor to expand upon tightening of the nut. By inserting a screw driver or similar tool into the gap and spreading the collar, a friction contact is achieved allowing expansion of the anchor to occur. This feature allows the inventive anchor to operate with all masonry materials, whereas other wedge anchors are limited to work only in concrete. 
         [0029]    Where copings and edge distance are critical, using the bridge as a guide, the anchor is inserted with the gap end into the hole facing the edge. The radial forces exerted by the anchor are now minimized in the edge area, thereby avoiding damage to the masonry. 
         [0030]    Each size anchor has to be torqued to minimum foot-pounds in order to achieve maximum holding power in specific masonry materials. The following table represents the torque values required for installations in 3000 psi concrete. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Anchor Diameter 
                 Torque ft/lbs. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 ¼″ 
                 25-30 
               
               
                   
                 ⅜″ 
                 50-60 
               
               
                   
                 ½″ 
                 75-90 
               
               
                   
                 ⅝″ 
                 150-175 
               
               
                   
                 ¾″ 
                 200-250 
               
               
                   
                 ⅞″ 
                 250-300 
               
               
                   
                 1″ 
                 300-350 
               
               
                   
                 1¼″ 
                 400-450 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    In masonry materials that are less than 3000 psi, such as brick, cinder block and grout filled block, the torque requirement necessary to install the anchor could cause a rotation problem. The resistance of the masonry is not sufficient to capture the collars of the anchor and, consequently, the anchor will rotate in the hole and the collars will not expand. For this reason, wedge anchors are normally not recommended for use in masonry materials less than 3000 psi. This shortcoming is overcome by using a collar material that is soft or dead soft, whereby this reduces the torque requirement and, in turn, the collars will easily expand. 
         [0032]    Tests have shown the inventive double-wedge bridge design to provide for holding powers up to 50% greater than single wedge anchors. The failure mode has consistently been masonry failure. Greater holding power and virtually no slippage render this inventive anchor design ideal for use in areas that are prone or susceptible to seismic disturbances; such as earthquakes. 
         [0033]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in forms and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated, but to fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.