High-strength partition top anchor and anchoring system utilizing the same

A high-strength partition top anchor and anchoring system is disclosed. The high-strength partition top anchor is a dynamic anchor that provides resistance to wall and deck separation during periods of high lateral forces. The partition top anchor is set within a slip tube embedded within the upper most portion of a partition or masonry wall and interconnected with a channel affixed to an overlying slab or deck structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved anchoring arrangement for use in conjunction with building construction having an overlying concrete slab, concrete deck, or steel frame structure secured to the upper limits of a partition or masonry wall. More particularly, the invention relates to construction accessory devices, namely, high-strength partition top anchors set within a slip tube embedded in the uppermost portion of the wall and interconnected with the overlying structure. The invention is applicable to structures subjected to high lateral forces. The entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/797,102, filed Mar. 12, 2013, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,326 on Mar. 17, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Description of the Prior Art

In the past, investigations relating to the effects of various forces, particularly high lateral loads or forces, upon structures located in areas subject to hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and related destructive natural occurrences, demonstrated the advantages of having high-strength anchoring components interconnecting the vertical wall with the overlying slab or deck structure. The present invention improves on the prior art partition anchoring systems.

Anchoring systems for wall construction come in varied forms depending on the wall materials and structural use. Ronald P. Hohmann and Hohmann & Barnard, Inc., now a MiTek-Berkshire Hathaway company, have successfully commercialized numerous devices to secure wall structures to overlying structures, providing widespread improvements that include increases in interconnection strength, ease of manufacture and use, and thermal isolation. The present invention is an improvement in interconnection strength and lateral force reduction between the vertical wall and the overlying horizontal structure.

Earthquakes, strong storms, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes and the lateral forces that they create are devastating to building structures. In the United States, like many other countries, wind damage to building structures amounts to millions of dollars each year in losses. Many houses and other small buildings in the Caribbean hurricane zone can lose their roofs to category 3 and 4 storms under current construction methods. Structural weaknesses occur at the tie-down of the overlying structure to the walls. Current construction methods often fail to withstand hurricane uplift forces without separation of the overlying structure from the walls. A properly designed and anchored building can resist such damage through the use of the present partition top anchor. A properly constructed building structure must be designed to resist both vertical loads (loads acting in an up and down direction) and lateral loads (loads acting in a direction parallel to the ground).

The primary focus of this invention is to protect against high lateral load forces. The two major lateral load forces result from high winds, such as those from a hurricane, and seismic forces, such as those resulting from an earthquake. Wind and seismic forces can occur from any direction and the structure must be designed to withstand such forces. Each major building component and connection between each component must be constructed so each has the capacity to resist all the loads and transfer such loads between them and into the foundation. This transfer of loads is known as the load path.

Lateral loads are either transferred into the overlying structure, when wind pushes against the walls perpendicular to the wind, or they originate directly in the overlying structure during seismic activity. To withstand such lateral loads, the structure must be engineered to provide an acceptable level of structural integrity so that life-safety is assured and structural damage is minimized. Much of the structural damage caused by high lateral loads occurs at a weak link in the structure—the juncture of the horizontal overlying structure with the vertical support structures. The present invention is focused upon this juncture.

Static connections such as those presented in Argay, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,669 and Ramirez, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,048, between the horizontal and vertical component of a structure often result in the separation of the components during prolonged periods of high lateral loads. As a result, dynamic partition top anchors, where the anchor is set in a slip tube embedded within the vertical wall are utilized for construction of structures that will be subjected to high lateral loads. The dynamic partition top anchor is interconnected along a slot or channel in the overlying structure and permitted to adjust in vertical and horizontal directions during times of high lateral load forces, allowing deflection of the overlying structure above the wall without transferring compressive loads.

Prior art partition top anchors are designed as a combination of a steel rod and attachment welded dovetail head. Such design locates the welded connection portion outside the connecting channel, thereby subjecting the weld between the rod and dovetail head to high levels of lateral load forces. The high level load forces at the weld point result in structural failure and separation of the rod and dovetail head removing the anchored connection. The present invention improves the prior art design by reengineering the dovetail head as an integral component of the rod structure, bonding the dovetail head within the rod, thereby providing a high-strength welded connection. Further, the welded interconnection is fully set within the channel, thereby redirecting the lateral forces to the high-strength steel rod and away from the welded connection. The present invention provides greater protection against anchor separation and structural strength than the prior art designs.

None of the above prior art anchors or anchoring systems provide a high-strength partition top anchor that can resist large scale lateral forces. This invention relates to an improved anchoring arrangement for use in conjunction with building construction having a wall secured at its upper limit to an overlying structure and meets the heretofore unmet need described above.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a high-strength anchoring system for protecting the top of a partition or masonry wall from damage inflicted by lateral forces thereupon and maintaining the relationship between an overlying deck or slab and the adjoining masonry wall includes a slip tube embedded in the top of the masonry wall. The slip tube has an open end disposed at the upper most portion of the wall. An anchor is partially disposed within the slip tube. The anchor includes a rod member at one end thereof, a key member configured for disposition in the overlying deck at the other end thereof, and a transition portion between the rod member and the key member. The transition portion is configured to be at least partially disposed within the overlying deck.

In another aspect, a high-strength anchoring system for protecting the top of a partition or masonry wall from damage inflicted by lateral forces thereupon and maintaining the relationship between an overlying deck or slab and the adjoining masonry wall includes a keyway channel embedded in the overlying deck. The keyway channel has a throat opening at an exterior face of the deck. A slip tube is embedded in the masonry wall and has an open end disposed opposite the throat opening of the keyway channel. An anchor is partially disposed in the keyway channel and partially disposed in the slip tube. The anchor includes a rod member disposed in the slip tube at one end thereof, a key member disposed in the keyway channel at an opposite end thereof, and a transition portion between the rod member and the key member. The transition portion is at least partially disposed within the keyway channel.

In another aspect, an anchor for use at a junction of a masonry wall and another wall comprises one piece of material and has a longitudinal axis. The one piece of material is formed to have a rod member, a key member, and a transition portion between the rod member and the key member. At least a portion of the transition portion is aligned with the key member along the longitudinal axis.

In general terms, in one embodiment the invention is a partition top anchor and anchoring system for use in anchoring a partition or masonry wall to an overlying deck or slab. The system includes an anchor substantially disposed within a slip tube that is embedded within the uppermost portion of the wall. The anchor includes a key member that is interconnected with a keyway channel affixed to the overlying deck or slab. The anchor and slip tube are dimensioned to allow for vertical movement of the anchor during periods of high lateral forces.

In another aspect, the partition top anchor is constructed from steel or similar high-strength material. The anchor includes a rod member disposed within the slip tube and a key member interconnected within the throat of the keyway channel. The key member is integrally formed with the rod member and fully disposed within the keyway channel upon installation. The key member and the keyway channel are dovetail structures.

The slip tube houses a compressible mat set opposite the slip tube open end, which faces the throat opening in the keyway channel. Additionally, a compressible foam member is disposed between the wall and the overlying slab or deck to provide a cushion between the overlying slab and wall.

It is an object of the present invention to provide, in an anchoring system having a masonry or partition wall anchored at its highest point to an overlying structure, a high-strength partition top anchor, which includes a slip tube and channel attachment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a specialized partition top anchor that is configured to provide a high-strength dynamic interlock between the wall and the overlying structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide labor-saving devices to simplify installations of walls and the securement thereof to overlying structures.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anchoring system for a structure subjected to high lateral forces that is economical to manufacture, resulting in a relatively low unit cost.

It is a feature of the present invention that when the partition top anchor is installed within the slip tube and the channel, the partition top anchor provides vertical adjustment in response to high lateral forces.

It is a further feature of the present invention that when the partition top anchor is installed within the slip tube and the channel, the anchor resists movement along the z-axis while allowing limited movement along the x-axis.

It is another feature of the present invention that the partition top anchors are utilizable with a partition or masonry wall interconnected with a concrete or steel overlying structure.

It is yet another feature of the present invention that the partition top anchor provides a high-strength interconnection with the overlying structure.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent upon review of the drawings and the detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiment described herein, the high-strength partition top anchor and anchoring system is designed in accordance with theBuilding Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, ACI530-05/ASCE5-05/TMS402-05. In order to comply with the requirements, masonry structures must be designed to resist applicable loads and provide a continuous load path(s) to properly transfer forces.

Buildings require a structural system that is designed to resist high wind and earthquake loads. In particular application to the partition top anchors presented herein, walls must be designed to resist loads, moments and shears applied at intersections with horizontal members. The effects of lateral deflection and translation of members providing lateral support must be considered and devices used to transfer lateral support from members that intersect walls must be designed to resist the forces involved. The disclosed partition top anchors are designed to provide lateral shear resistance at the upper limit of partition or masonry walls. These anchors permit vertical deflection of the overlying slab, without transferring compressive loads to the wall below. The partition top anchors are suitable for construction having steel or concrete roofs and resist dynamic forces capable of blowing, lifting or collapsing such roof. Such forces and their effect on building structures are shown inFIG. 1(high-winds) andFIG. 2(seismic).

The prior art anchors and anchoring systems are shown inFIGS. 3 and 3a. The anchor1is comprised of two components, a metal rod2and a metal dovetail head3. The dovetail head3is welded to the metal rod2. When installed, the anchor1is set within a slip tube42, having a foam stopper or filler46set therein. The slip tube42is embedded in a vertical wall structure (not shown) and interconnected with a metal keyway channel70. The channel70is embedded or affixed to an overlying slab or structure (not shown). When set within the slip tube42and connected to the channel70, the anchor rod2and portion of the dovetail head3welded to the rod2sit outside the channel70. When emplaced within the structure and subjected to high-strength lateral forces, the lateral forces set on the weak interconnection point between the dovetail head3and the rod2, resulting in the failure and separation of the dovetail head3and the rod2. Such separation causes the overlying slab to dislodge from the wall, causing structural damage and resulting safety concerns. The present invention improves on the prior art anchor by modifying the anchor design and refocusing the forces on the high-strength rod and away from the interconnection point.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 through 11, the partition top anchor and anchoring system of this invention is shown and is referred to generally by the number10. A wall structure12is shown having a partition or masonry wall14and an overlying deck or slab18of concrete or steel components.

For purposes of discussion, the exterior surface24of the wall structure12contains a horizontal line or x-axis34and an intersecting vertical line or y-axis36. A horizontal line or z-axis38, normal to the xy-plane, also passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersecting x-34and y-axes36. In the discussion which follows, it will be seen that the partition top anchors40are constructed to restrict movement interfacially along the z-axis38and allow for limited movement along the x-axis34and the y-axis36. The device10includes a partition top anchor40constructed for insertion within a slip tube42embedded in the wall14and interconnection with a keyway channel70affixed to the deck18.

The slip tube42is embedded in the top of the wall14and the vertical joint is then filled with mortar, fully surrounding the exterior of the slip tube42. The slip tube42is a polymeric or other structure capable of maintaining its structure when embedded within the wall14and has an open end44disposed at the upper most portion of the wall14. The slip tube has a predetermined diameter. A compressible mat or expansion filler46is set within the slip tube42at the bottom of the slip tube42away from the open end44. The filler46restricts mortar entry into the slip tube42and allows for anchor40deflection. The anchor40is partially disposed within the slip tube42.

The anchor40is constructed from a high-strength material such as galvanized steel, hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, or bright basic steel. The anchor40includes a rod member48that is substantially disposed within the slip tube42. The rod member48has a predetermined diameter. The rod member diameter is in a close fitting functional relationship with the slip tube42diameter, allowing the rod member48to be vertically adjusted within the slip tube42when subjected to lateral forces. The close fitting relationship between the diameter of the rod member48and the slip tube42diameter restricts anchor40movement within the slip tube42along the x-34and z-axes38.

The rod member48includes an insertion portion50, set within the slip tube42adjacent to the filler46, and an interconnecting portion52. A key member60, having a substantially dovetail shape, is integrally formed with the rod member48and has a common longitudinal axis47therewith. The key member60is partially formed from the rod interconnecting portion52. The key member60insertion member62is welded within the interconnecting portion52, forming a high-strength bond between the rod member48and the key member60.

The key member60is configured to be disposed entirely within the keyway channel70which is embedded within the overlying deck18. The keyway channel70has a throat opening72at the deck18exterior face plane. The open end44of the slip tube42is disposed opposite the throat opening72. The key member60interlocks with the keyway channel70and the key member60is disposed within the throat opening72of the keyway channel70. The key member60is a dovetail fitting having a substantially similar dimension to the keyway channel70. When the key member60is inserted within the keyway channel70, key member60movement is restricted along the y-36and z-axis38and limited along the x-axis34.

The anchoring system further includes a compressible foam member80set between the deck18and the wall14. The foam member80serves to separate the deck18and the wall14and temper the compressive forces acting on the structure12.

The presently presented partition top anchor40serves to dynamically interconnect the wall14and the deck18. The dynamic nature of the anchor40and its ability to vertically adjust during occurrences of high-lateral forces serves to contain the forces and provide a proper load path to restrict structural damage. The use of the dynamic partition top anchor40resists tensile forces tending to lift or separate walls and overlying structures, while protecting the top of a partition or masonry wall14from damage inflicted by lateral forces thereupon and maintaining the relationship between an overlying deck or slab18and the adjoining wall14.

The present invention improves on the prior art partition top anchors1through its novel design that ensures that the key member60is completely located within the keyway channel70. This design ensures that the high lateral forces are focused on the high-strength steel rod member48and not the prior art weld point between the rod2and the dovetail member3. The present invention improves the prior art design by reengineering the key member60as an integral component of the rod member48—bonding the key member60within the rod member48—thereby providing a high-strength welded connection. The present invention provides greater protection against anchor separation during periods of high lateral loads and greater structural strength than the prior art designs.

Referring now toFIGS. 12-15, in another embodiment a partition top anchor140is formed as one piece of material. The partition top anchor140includes a rod member148and a key member160. The rod member148is substantially similar to the rod member48as described above. The rod member148is configured to be disposed in the slip tube42embedded in the partition or masonry wall14, as described above with reference to rod member48. The key member160is similar to the key member60as described above, with the exception that it is formed as one piece of material with the rod member148. The key member160is configured to be disposed in the keyway channel70embedded in the overlying deck or slab18, as described above with reference to key member60.

The rod member148includes an insertion portion150configured to be disposed in the slip tube42adjacent the filler46. The key member160is opposite the insertion portion150of the rod member148. The one-piece partition top anchor140includes a transition portion192between the key member160and the rod member148where the key member and the rod member overlap. The transition portion192transitions from the generally constant diameter rod member148to the key member160. Generally, the transition portion192tapers to the key member160. The key member160tapers toward the rod member148and the transition portion192. The key member160has a generally dovetail shape, as described above with reference to key member60. As seen inFIG. 12, at least part of the transition portion192is disposed within the keyway channel70when the anchor140is in use. Preferably, the entire transition portion192is disposed within the keyway channel70when the anchor140is in use. Preferably, the entirety of the key member160is positioned in the keyway channel70when the anchor is in use. However, it is to be understood that a portion of either the transition portion192or the key member160may be disposed outside of the keyway channel70within the scope of the present invention.

The one-piece partition top anchor140is formed as one piece of material. The anchor140is constructed from a high-strength material, such as galvanized steel, hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, bright basic steel, or other suitable material. The anchor140can be forged (e.g., hot forged, die forged, cold forged, press forged, etc.). In one embodiment, a length of bar stock is forged to form the key member160and transition portion192at one end thereof, the remainder of the length of bar stock forming the rod member148. Alternatively, the one-piece partition top anchor140can be cast as one piece of material. It is understood that other configurations and methods of forming the anchor140as one piece of material are within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 16-30illustrate additional embodiments of the one-piece partition top anchor. It is understood that any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 16-30can be formed as one piece of material, such as by forging, casting, or other suitable method. InFIGS. 16-19, a one-piece partition top anchor240including a rod member248, a key member260, and a transition portion292is forged as one piece of material from round bar stock.FIG. 20illustrates an anchor240′ including an extended transition portion292′. The transition portion292′ extends about halfway up the length of the key member260′. InFIG. 21, a transition portion292″ of an anchor240″ extends approximately the full length of the key member260″.

InFIG. 22, a one-piece partition top anchor340including a rod member348, a key member360, and a transition portion392is forged as one piece of material from square bar stock.FIG. 23illustrates an anchor340′ including an extended transition portion392′. The transition portion392′ extends about halfway up the length of the key member360′. InFIG. 24, a transition portion392″ of an anchor340″ extends approximately the full length of the key member360″. The transition portion392″ does not taper into the key member360″.

As shown inFIG. 25, a one-piece partition top anchor440including a key member460and a transition portion492has a rebar rod member448.FIG. 26illustrates an anchor440′ including an extended transition portion492′. The transition portion492′ extends about halfway up the length of the key member460′. InFIG. 27, a transition portion492″ of an anchor440″ extends approximately the full length of the key member460″.

InFIG. 28, the rod member548of anchor540is threaded.FIG. 29illustrates an anchor540′ including an extended transition portion592′. The transition portion592′ extends about halfway up the length of the key member560′. InFIG. 30, a transition portion592″ of an anchor540″ extends approximately the full length of the key member560″.

In each of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 12-30, the transition portion of the anchor is at least partially received in the keyway channel70when the anchor is in use, and preferably is entirely disposed in the keyway channel during use. As the transition portion begins at a bottom-most location of the key member, preferably the entirety of the key member is positioned in the keyway channel during use of the anchor. However, it is to be understood that a portion of either the transition portion or the key member may be disposed outside of the keyway channel70within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 31-36illustrate another embodiment of a partition top anchor640. The partition top anchor640includes a rod member648and a key member660. The rod member648is configured to be disposed in the slip tube42embedded in the partition or masonry wall14, as described above with reference to rod member48. The key member660is configured to be disposed in the keyway channel70embedded in the overlying deck or slab18, as described above with reference to key member60. The key member660has a generally dovetail shape.

The anchor640includes a transition portion692between the key member660and the rod member648. The transition portion692is located between the key member660and the rod member648. Referring toFIGS. 34 and 35, the transition portion692includes notches694. The key member660includes a recess696. The key member660and rod member648are attached in mating engagement such that part of the transition portion692is received in the recess696of the key member660, and part of the key member is received in the notches694of the transition portion. The key member660and rod member648may be attached in any suitable manner, such as by press fit, welding, adhesive, or other suitable attachment. The key member660can be cast. The rod member648can be a length of bar stock that is notched at one end. As illustrated, the rod member648can be a length of round bar stock. Alternatively, the key member and the rod member can be cast as one piece of material. As seen inFIG. 31, at least part of the transition portion692of the anchor640is received in the keyway channel70when the anchor is in use. Preferably, the entire transition portion692(including the notches694and the recess696) is received in the keyway channel70when the anchor640is in use.FIG. 37illustrates an anchor640′ including an extended transition portion692′. The transition portion692′ extends approximately the full length of the key member660′. The transition portion692′ includes notches694′ and the key member660′ includes a recess696′ configured for mating engagement with the notches.

FIGS. 40-44illustrate additional embodiments of the partition top anchor. InFIGS. 40-44, a partition top anchor740includes a rod member748, a key member760, and a transition portion792. The rod member748comprises a length of square bar stock. The transition portion792includes notches794. The key member760includes a recess796configured for mating engagement with the notches794of the transition portion792.FIG. 45illustrates an anchor740′ including an extended transition portion792′. The transition portion792′ extends approximately the full length of the key member760′.

InFIGS. 46-49, a partition top anchor840includes a rod member848, a key member860, and a transition portion892. The rod member848comprises a length of rebar. The transition portion892includes notches894. The key member860includes a recess896configured for mating engagement with the notches894of the transition portion892.FIG. 50illustrates an anchor840′ including an extended transition portion892′. The transition portion892′ extends approximately the full length of the key member860′.

As shown inFIGS. 51-54, a partition top anchor940includes a rod member948, a key member960, and a transition portion992. The rod member948comprises a length of threaded rod. The transition portion992includes notches994. The key member960includes a recess996configured for mating engagement with the notches994of the transition portion992.FIG. 55illustrates an anchor940′ including an extended transition portion992′. The transition portion992′ extends approximately the full length of the key member960′.

In each of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 31-55, the transition portion of the anchor is at least partially received in the keyway channel70when the anchor is in use, and preferably is entirely disposed in the keyway channel during use. As the transition portion begins at a bottom-most location of the key member, preferably the entirety of the key member is positioned in the keyway channel during use of the anchor. It is understood that any of the anchors as described above can be formed as one piece of material (e.g., forged, cast, etc.).

The partition top anchors as described above offer a stronger connection between the overlying deck18and the masonry wall14. The transition portion between the key member and the rod member of each anchor is configured to be positioned partially or entirely within the keyway channel70embedded in the overlying deck18. This configuration protects the weakest part of the anchor by embedding the transition in the overlying deck, thereby providing an advantage over prior art anchoring systems where the connection between the key member and the rod is positioned outside the keyway channel and the overlying deck.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.