NESTED DOUBLE ECCENTRIC ANCHOR BOLT BUSHINGS

A nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device is provided. The device includes a fully eccentric inner sleeve and a fully eccentric outer sleeve. The fully eccentric inner sleeve includes a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter. The first inner diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve is configured to receive an anchor bolt. The fully eccentric outer sleeve includes a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second inner diameter is configured to receive the first outer diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The second outer diameter is configured to insert into an opening in a sill plate of a wall panel. A wall is also provided. The wall includes an anchor bolt, a fully eccentric inner sleeve, a fully eccentric outer sleeve, and a sill plate. A method of installing the wall is also provided.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the art of anchoring walls of buildings, and more specifically to a device that safely installs walls to anchor bolts that may be misaligned or installed in accordance to a given placement error tolerance.

BACKGROUND

When constructing a building, typically anchor bolts are cast-in-place in a concrete foundation. The anchor bolts are secured in place and then the concrete is placed. The anchor bolts must be set in the concrete at locations per the design plans. For example, the anchor bolts may be set 6 inches to 12 inches apart on center. Concrete placement may cause movement of the anchor bolts causing some of the anchor bolts to be off center or some anchor bolts may be misplaced. Because the anchor bolt may be slightly off center, openings in the sill plates of the wall panels to install the wall to the anchor bolts are typically drilled on site at the exact location of the anchor bolts. The size of the opening must allow the anchor bolt to fit tightly into the opening in the sill plate so that the sill plate and wall panel are adequately secured to the foundation and loads applied on the wall may be transferred through the anchor bolt to the foundation. The sill plates are aligned and marked where an opening must be drilled to install the wall panel over the anchor bolt. Onsite aligning, measuring, and drilling are time consuming and therefore costly.

Alternatively, Titen bolts or MSA mudsill anchors are used in lieu of cast-in-place anchors. These alternatives are drilled through the sill plate and into the concrete foundation. However, these bolts or anchors are expensive, time consuming to install, and may cause damage to rebar in the foundation. Additionally, these bolts or anchors are less secure than cast-in-place anchors.

SUMMARY

A nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device is provided. The device includes a fully eccentric inner sleeve and a fully eccentric outer sleeve. The fully eccentric inner sleeve includes a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter. The first inner diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve is configured to receive an anchor bolt. The fully eccentric outer sleeve includes a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second inner diameter is configured to receive the first outer diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The second outer diameter is configured to insert into an opening in a sill plate of a wall panel.

A wall is also provided. The wall includes an anchor bolt, a fully eccentric inner sleeve, a fully eccentric outer sleeve, and a sill plate. The anchor bolt includes a first diameter. The fully eccentric inner sleeve substantially encompasses the anchor bolt. The fully eccentric inner sleeve includes a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The first inner diameter is configured to receive the first diameter of the anchor bolt. The fully eccentric outer sleeve substantially encompasses the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The fully eccentric outer sleeve incudes a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second inner diameter is configured to receive the first outer diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The sill plate includes an opening. The opening has a second diameter to receive the second outer diameter of the fully eccentric outer sleeve. The opening receives the anchor bolt, the fully eccentric inner sleeve, and the fully eccentric outer sleeve.

A method of installing a wall is also provided. The method includes placing a sill plate on a foundation, inserting a fully eccentric inner sleeve, and inserting a fully eccentric outer sleeve. The sill plate is placed on a foundation with an anchor bolt extending up through an opening in the sill plate. The opening includes a second diameter larger than a first diameter of the anchor bolt. The fully eccentric inner sleeve is inserted into the opening with the anchor bolt extending through the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The fully eccentric inner sleeve includes a first inner diameter configured to receive and substantially encompass the anchor bolt and a first outer diameter. The fully eccentric inner sleeve is rotated to adjust the distant between the first outer diameter anchor bolt and the second diameter of the opening in the sill plate. The fully eccentric outer sleeve is inserted into the opening with the anchor bolt and the fully eccentric inner sleeve extending through the fully eccentric outer sleeve. The fully eccentric outer sleeve includes a second inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The second inner diameter is configured to receive and substantially encompass the first outer diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The second outer diameter is configured to fit tightly into the opening in the sill plate. The fully eccentric outer sleeve is rotated to adjust the angular direction from the anchor bolt to the second diameter of the opening in the sill plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device is provided that allows a sill plate of a wall panel to be predrilled and installed to anchor bolts that may be off center but within a placement error tolerance. The nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device saves time and money by eliminating the need to align, measure and drill the sill plate on site. The nested double eccentric anchor bolt device allows the sill plate to be pre-drilled off site. An oversized hole is predrilled in the factory to allow wall panels to be installed to anchor bolts placed off center within tolerance. The bushing device compensates for misplaced anchor bolts used to anchor walls to concrete foundations by allowing the openings in the sill plate to be oversized. The sill plates with oversized anchor bolt holes may be prefabricated and mass produced thereby saving time and labor costs. The resulting annular space is filled with non-deformable sleeves or bushings. The device can be used to install closed wall panels or open wall panels to the anchor bolts. The closed wall panel may be prefabricated. The closed wall panel must have a small opening to permit installation of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device. However, the design of the device requires little space for installation. The opening in the closed wall panel may be a narrow gap between the bottom of the drywall and the sill plate of the wall panel. After the wall panel is installed and inspected, a baseboard may be installed to cover the narrow gap.

FIG. 1is an exploded view of a nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100. As shown inFIG. 1, the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100includes a fully eccentric inner sleeve110and a fully eccentric outer sleeve120. The fully eccentric inner sleeve110is configured to nest in the fully eccentric outer sleeve120. Together, the fully eccentric inner sleeve110and the fully eccentric outer sleeve120are configured to receive an anchor bolt (not shown inFIG. 1for clarity) and to fit tightly into an oversized opening drilled in a sill plate of a wall panel (not shown inFIG. 1for clarity). The fully eccentric inner sleeve110is configured to rotate about the anchor bolt to adjust the distance of the anchor bolt to the edge of the oversized opening in the sill plate. The fully eccentric inner sleeve110may include a slot112configured to receive a tool, such as a flat head screw driver, to rotate the fully eccentric inner sleeve110into position after it is inserted into the oversized hole. The fully eccentric outer sleeve120is configured to rotate around the fully eccentric inner sleeve110to adjust the angular direction from the anchor bolt to the edge of the oversized opening in the sill plate. The fully eccentric outer sleeve120may include a slot122configured to receive a tool, such as a flat head screw driver, to rotate the fully eccentric outer sleeve120into position after it is inserted into the oversized hole.

FIG. 2is a top view of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100. The fully eccentric inner sleeve110includes a first inside diameter Da and a first outside diameter Db. The first inside diameter Da is configured to receive an anchor bolt (not shown inFIG. 2for clarity). The dimension of the first inside diameter Da allows the fully eccentric inner sleeve110to receive the anchor bolt and provide a snug fit around the anchor bolt. The dimension of the first inside diameter Da may be the diameter of the anchor bolt plus approximately ⅛ inch to provide a snug fit around the anchor bolt. The anchor bolt diameter may range from approximately ½-1 inch and the inside diameter may range from ⅝-1⅛ inch depending on the diameter of the anchor bolt. The first outside diameter Db is configured to nest in the fully eccentric outer sleeve120. As shown inFIG. 2, the first inside diameter Da is offset from the center of the first outside diameter Db to make the inner sleeve110fully eccentric. When the anchor bolt is inserted through the inside diameter Da of the inner sleeve110, the anchor bolt will be offset from the center of the first outside diameter Db. Because the inside diameter Da is offset, there is a minimum wall thickness W of the inner sleeve110. The minimum wall thickness W of the inner sleeve110is the minimum distance between a misplaced anchor bolt and the edge of the oversized opening in the sill plate.

The fully eccentric outer sleeve120includes a second inside diameter Dd and a second outside diameter Dc. The second inside diameter Dd is approximately equal to the first outside diameter Db of the fully eccentric inner sleeve110so that the second inside diameter Dd of the fully eccentric outer sleeve120is configured to receive the first outside diameter Db of the fully eccentric inner sleeve110and the fully eccentric inner sleeve110fits tightly within the second inside diameter Dd of the fully eccentric outer sleeve120. The second outer diameter Dc of the outer sleeve120is dimensioned to fit tightly within the annular space of the inner sleeve110and the edge of the oversized opening in the sill plate. As shown inFIG. 2, the second inside diameter Dd is offset from the center of the second outside diameter Dc to make the outer sleeve120fully eccentric. The second inside diameter Dd may be offset so that a portion of the outer edge of the outer sleeve120is open. The outer sleeve120may have a wall thickness T at the open portion. The wall thickness T may be 3/64 inch.

FIG. 3is a front view of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100.FIG. 4is a section view of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the inner sleeve110and the outer sleeve120have a height H. The height H may be approximately equal to the height of the sill plate to allow the surface of the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120to sit flush with the surface of the sill plate after the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120are installed. Alternatively, the inner sleeve110and the outer sleeve120are made from a compressible material and the height H is slightly greater than the height of the sill plate. A greater height H than the height of the sill plate forces the inner sleeve110and the outer sleeve120to compress downward putting an outward force on the edge of the opening in the sill plate and the anchor bolt when a washer plate and nut are installed over the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120. The pressure ensures that the device fits tightly in the oversized opening in the sill plate.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100and a sill plate200of a wall. The sill plate200may be wood or steel material. The sill plate200includes an oversized opening210. If the sill plate200is steel, the sill plate200may include a confinement plate having the oversized opening210. In this embodiment, the confinement plate is attached to the steel sill plate200by either a friction fit, adhesion, or welding.

The sill plate200is place onto the foundation205and over an anchor bolt300with the anchor bolt300extending through the opening210. The opening210has a greater diameter than the diameter of the anchor bolt300. The anchor bolt300may shift when the concrete foundation in which the anchor bolt300is cast into is placed. The oversized opening210in the sill plate200allows the anchor bolt300to extend through the opening210even if the anchor bolt300is misplaced or shifts within a bolt placement error tolerance. In some instances, these bolts may be up to approximately 1 inch off center. The inner sleeve110is installed over the anchor bolt300and into the oversized opening210. The anchor bolt300extends up through the first inner diameter Da of the inner sleeve110. The anchor bolt300fits tightly within the first inner diameter Da of the inner sleeve110. The outer sleeve120is inserted in the annular space between the inner sleeve110and the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200. If needed, the inner sleeve110and/or outer sleeve120may be rotated to properly align and position the sill plate200and wall panel. A plate washer400may be inserted over the anchor bolt300. The plate washer400lays on the sill plate200and the surface of the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120. As previously described, if the height H of the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120is greater than the thickness of the sill plate200, the plate washer400may compress the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120so that the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120fit tightly between the anchor bolt300and the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200. The inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120must tightly fill the oversized opening210so that the sill plate200and wall panel are adequately secured to the anchor bolt300and loads may be transferred from the wall to the anchor bolt300and foundation205. A nut500is installed on the anchor bolt300and tightened on the plate washer400thereby securing the sill plate200to the anchor bolt300. The nut500may be screwed onto the threads of the anchor bolt300.

The inner sleeve110and the outer sleeve120may be made of any metal, plastic, or composite material that includes physical properties that may resist and withstand forces that the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120must transfer to the bolt300and sill plate200. The material of the inner sleeve110and the outer sleeve120have a compressive strength profile equal to or great than the sill plate200material. The inner sleeve110and/or outer sleeve120may include grooves that facilitate compression to enable a tight fit in the opening210of the sill plate200. The inner sleeve110and/or outer sleeve120may include grooves to provide some flexibility of the sleeve110,120to compensate for anchor bolts being out of plumb beyond the first inner diameter Da of the inner sleeve110. The inner sleeve110may also include slight tapers in the design so that the inner sleeve110tightens around the anchor bolt300as the inner sleeve110is driven down into the opening210. The outer sleeve120may also include slight tapers in the design so the outer sleeve120forces the sill plate200down towards the foundation205when the outer sleeve120is driven down into the opening210of the sill plate200.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100installed in the sill plate200. The nut500is not shown inFIG. 6for clarity. As shown inFIG. 6, the plate washer400may include a slot410to permit inspection of the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120. If the plate washer400does not have a slot410, the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120may not visible. An inspector would not know if the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100was installed under the plate washer400. The slot410allows an inspector to see the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120and know that the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100was in fact installed.

FIG. 7is a flow chart of a method700of installing the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100. The nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100can quickly and easily be installed saving time and money. The nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device100is installed according to the steps described below.

In step710, the sill plate200is installed on a foundation205with the anchor bolt300extending up through the oversized opening210in the sill plate200. The sill plate200may be aligned and positioned according to engineering and design plans.

In step720, the fully eccentric inner sleeve110is installed in the opening210in the sill plate200with the anchor bolt300extending through the first inner diameter Da of the inner sleeve110. The fully eccentric inner sleeve110is rotated to adjust the distance between the anchor bolt300and the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200. The inner sleeve110may be rotated until it comes into contact with the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200.

In step730, the fully eccentric outer sleeve120is installed in the opening210in the sill plate200with the anchor bolt300and inner sleeve110extending through the second inner diameter Dd of the outer sleeve120. The outer sleeve120fills the annular space between the inner sleeve110and the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200. The fully eccentric outer sleeve120is rotated to adjust the angular direction from the anchor bolt300to the edge of the opening210in the sill plate200. The outer sleeve120and the inner sleeve110may be rotated to properly align the sill plate200according to design plans. As previously described, the outer sleeve120and the inner sleeve110may include slots112,122configured to receive a tool to easily rotate the inner and outer sleeves110,120. Preferably, the inner sleeve110is installed prior to the outer sleeve120. However, the outer sleeve120may be installed prior to the inner sleeve110or the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120may be installed at the same time.

The method700may also include the step740of placing a washer400over the anchor bolt300and onto the sill plate200with the anchor bolt300extending through the plate washer400. The washer400is used to distribute the load of the anchor bolt300. The washer400also secures the inner sleeve110and outer sleeve120in place.

The method700may also include the step750of installing a nut500on the anchor bolt300to secure the plate washer400, inner sleeve110, outer sleeve120, and sill plate200to the anchor bolt300. The nut500is screwed onto the threads of the anchor bolt300and tightened against the plate washer400.

Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made to the nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushings and method of installation without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.