# Patent

## Title
Formwork anchor receptacle, a formwork anchor as well as a formwork element for receiving these

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a formwork anchor receptacle as well as to a formwork anchor which are used in the field of construction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a formwork element. The formwork anchor receptacle is adapted to receive an anchor rod provided to connect formwork elements. The formwork anchor receptacle comprises a section with an opening for insertion of an anchor rod and a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from German Application DE 10 2013 211 490.7, filed Jun. 19, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a formwork anchor receptacle as well as to a formwork anchor which are used in the field of construction. Formwork elements are positioned with a certain distance therebetween and are connected together by means of formwork anchors before the gap thus formed is filled with fill material. The formwork anchors are removed after the concrete has hardened such that the formwork elements can be detached from the wall thus formed in the subsequent step.
BACKGROUND
Known as prior art is a formwork anchor according to EP 2 060 703 A1, which is adapted to connect formwork elements in a tension-proof manner. This known formwork anchor is composed of several sections or elements, whereby the anchoring element can be freely displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the second anchoring section and can be fixed at the engagement means.
Also known is DE 10 2010 002 108 A1 which reveals an anchoring system for a concrete wall form with at least one retaining device for an anchor rod of the anchoring system. The retaining device comprises an annular sealing member as well as a screw nut member for screwing in the anchor rod. Also provided is a waller plate which can be attached to a rear side of the formwork element of the concrete wall form by means of fasteners and which comprises a spherically shaped plate region with an opening in which the screw nut member is arranged with radial play.
SUMMARY
One object of the present invention is to provide a formwork anchor receptacle as well as a formwork anchor which make it possible to ensure the greatest possible uniformity of the anchor intervals on a formwork element whilst at the same time ensuring easy handling, and to thus reduce the amount of work required for setting up and connecting formwork elements.
This object is solved by a formwork anchor receptacle according to claim 1, a formwork anchor according to claim 6, as well as a formwork element according to claim 14. Further preferred embodiments can be seen from the dependent claims.
Within the scope of the present invention, a framework anchor receptacle is provided with a spherical section which is disposed in a support component of a formwork element and which allows the formwork anchor to be pivoted out of its normal orientation relative to the formwork element (for example by 4°).
According to the invention, the formwork anchor receptacle comprises a preferably cylindrical section having an opening for insertion of an anchor rod, and a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element.
Owing to the spherical design, misalignment between openings of opposite formwork elements which allow passage of anchors can be compensated by ensuring a certain deviation from the normal in relation to a formwork element. Despite this compensation, the formwork anchor receptacle and formwork anchor according to the invention still ensure solid anchoring of the formwork elements and a seal against the fill area formed between the formwork elements.
Furthermore, the design according to the invention ensures that a formwork anchor can be handled from one side. This makes it easier to set up and connect formwork elements, with the result that labor costs can be reduced.
According to a preferred embodiment, the formwork anchor receptacle has an internal thread in at least a section of the opening. The formwork anchor receptacle can be detachably connected to an anchor rod via this thread.
Furthermore, a locking means, particularly two holders, can be inserted into the formwork anchor receptacle and locked in place there, particularly by a resilient fixing means, to interlock an anchor rod with the formwork anchor receptacle. This allows easy handling.
According to another embodiment, the locking means has grooves engaging into grooves of the anchor rod. The locking means can thus be quickly and safely connected to the anchor rod.
In another embodiment, a sealing member is received in the opening on an end portion of the spherical section. This avoids leakage of the fill material introduced between formwork elements.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a formwork anchor with an anchor rod, a first formwork receptacle as well as a second formwork anchor receptacle. The formwork anchor receptacles each comprise a preferably cylindrical section with an opening for insertion of the anchor rod, as well as a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element. The first formwork anchor receptacle can be attached to a first end of the formwork anchor and the second formwork anchor receptacle can be attached to a second end of the formwork anchor. As regards the advantages of the formwork anchor receptacles for the aforementioned formwork anchor, reference is made to be above statements.
Since these elements make it possible, when used with a formwork element, to provide the anchoring in the center, the concrete is given an attractive look. Due to this centered anchoring, the system moreover has no unused anchor holes. This leads to savings in time and avoids on-site operational errors.
Since the anchor rod is preferably conically shaped, the use of sheaths which would otherwise be required in the stripping process can be dispensed with.
In a preferred embodiment of the formwork anchor, the anchor rod comprises a screw-in limiting means at that end to which the second formwork anchor receptacle is attached, in addition to designs of the first and second formwork anchor receptacles already mentioned above.
In the region of the end to which the first formwork anchor receptacle is attached, the anchor rod preferably has openings for inserting therethrough a locking mechanism for interlocking the anchor rod with the first formwork anchor receptacle.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed at a formwork element according to claim 14. Particularly in the event of high formwork elements, an additional worker is not required on the access side during installation of the formwork anchor. It is even possible to dispense with intermediate platforms on the side assembled first. Furthermore, it is possible not only to generally reduce the number of formwork anchors, but also to save anchor points, particularly in the event of height-increased formwork.
Since anchor points are preferably centrally arranged on the formwork element, it is avoided that the formwork anchor might collide with the joint tape or other means for sealing the joint when the formwork elements are used in the region of the foundations.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a formwork anchor and of the formwork elements connected therewith which make use of formwork anchor receptacles of the formwork anchor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a formwork anchor and of two formwork elements according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a formwork anchor and of two formwork elements according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a formwork anchor and of two formwork elements according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a holding means for a formwork anchor used in FIG. 4;
FIG. 5b is a perspective view of an alternative holding means for a formwork anchor used in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the formwork anchor with formwork anchor receptacle shown in FIG. 4.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained in detail. Further modifications and variations of individual elements and components that are mentioned in this connection may in each case be combined with each other to form new embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows two formwork elements S with a fill area formed therebetween. A formwork anchor comprising an anchor rod 30, a first formwork anchor receptacle 10 as well as a second formwork anchor receptacle 20 is provided to interconnect the formwork elements S.
In the installed condition, the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 is attached to an end of the anchor rod 30 and supported against a support component 40 attached to the formwork wall S. The second formwork anchor receptacle 20 is disposed on the opposite end of the anchor rod 30 and supported on a support component 40 of the respective other formwork wall S.
The support components 40 provided on the formwork elements S are designed to be capable of receiving elements or sections of a formwork anchor. The support components thereby preferably have substantially the same design, such that the anchor rod 30 with the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 and the second formwork anchor receptacle 20 may also have an orientation other than that shown in FIG. 1.
The anchor rod 30, which extends from one formwork element to the next in FIG. 1, comprises at a first end an external thread 31 with a screw-in limiting means 32 which ensures a defined position of the second formwork anchor receptacle 20 relative to the anchor rod 30 when the former is fully screwed in. The external thread 31 is adjoined by a conical section 33 which, when installed, comes into contact with the fill material that is placed between the formwork elements S, e.g. concrete. Since the section 33 is conically designed, the anchor rod 30 can be removed from the hardened fill material.
That section of the conical section 33 of the anchor rod 30 that is opposite to the external thread 31 is adjoined by a further external thread 34 (particularly a trapezoidal thread) which has a smaller thread pitch than the external thread 31. Furthermore, openings 35 are provided in the region of the further external thread 34, through which a locking mechanism can be inserted to fix the anchor rod 30 to the first formwork anchor receptacle 10.
The second formwork anchor receptacle 20, which is provided in the region of the external thread 31 of the anchor rod 30, comprises a substantially cylindrical section 21 as well as a spherical section 22. The spherical section 22 forms a spherical curve. An opening 23 extends through the formwork anchor receptacle 20 along the center axis of the cylindrical section 21. Portions of the opening 23 of the formwork anchor receptacle 20 are provided with an internal thread 24 which engages into the external thread 31 of the anchor rod 30.
The described type of screw fastening offers the advantage that the fasteners will not leave any marks in the hardened fill material, which thus gives the concrete an attractive look.
The first formwork anchor receptacle 10 has a first end and a second end. A cylindrical section 11 extends between the first end and the second end, said cylindrical section being designed longer than the cylindrical section 21 of the second formwork anchor receptacle 20 since the cylindrical section 11 of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 additionally serves to permit adjustment between the anchor rod 30 and the formwork anchor receptacle 10. In this way, the formwork anchor can be adapted to different distances between the formwork elements, as will be explained in detail in the following.
The first formwork anchor receptacle 10 further comprises a spherical section 12 which adjoins the cylindrical section 11 and which forms a spherical outer curve just as the spherical section 22 of the second formwork anchor receptacle 20. The outer shapes of the spherical sections 12, 22 substantially match each other here, and therefore—as already mentioned—the anchor rod 30 with the formwork anchor receptacles 10, 20 can also be connected to the formwork elements S when oriented differently.
An opening 13 extends along the center axis of the cylindrical section 11 of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10. Through this opening 13, the anchor rod 30 can be inserted into the formwork anchor receptacle 10 and engage with an internal thread 14 of the formwork anchor receptacle 10. This internal thread 14 is provided in the region of the opening 13 at an end of the formwork anchor receptacle 10 that is opposite to the spherical section 12. a sealing member 15 is received in the opening on an end portion of the spherical section.
At least one support component 40 is attached to each formwork element S. The number of support components 40 may vary depending on the size of the formwork element S, in order to provide a safe connection between different formwork elements S. Since the support components 40 on the left-hand and right-hand formwork elements 40 preferably have substantially the same design in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only one of the support components is identified by a reference numeral.
The support component 40 comprises an attachment section 41 that is fixedly connected to the formwork element S in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, the support component 40 can be welded to the formwork element S.
Furthermore, the support component 40 includes a receiving and supporting section 42 comprising a spherically designed ball socket 42a as well as a receiving zone 42b. In the region of the ball socket 42a, which preferably has an opening 43 in its center to pass through the anchor rod 30, the formwork anchor receptacle 10 is received in the region of the spherical section 12 when formwork elements S are connected together by the anchor rod 30. The design of the ball socket 42a ensures that there is abutment of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 (or the second formwork anchor receptacle 20), thus preventing leakage of the material filled between the formwork elements S. The spherically designed ball socket 42a is thereby provided in the region of the inner wall of the formwork element S such that the spherical section 12 (or 22) abuts as closely as possible the fill area between the formwork elements S.
The support component 40 furthermore comprises holding means—in this embodiment a mount 44—removably installed in the receiving zone 42b to attach the respective formwork anchor receptacle 10, 20.
The formwork shown in FIG. 1 is assembled as follows.
First, the formwork elements S are erected in spaced-apart relation, and the anchor rod 30, comprising the first formwork anchor receptacle 10, is inserted (from left to right in FIG. 1) through one of the support components 40, with the formwork anchor receptacle 20 being already provided in the corresponding right-hand formwork element shown in FIG. 1. The anchor rod 30, comprising the formwork anchor receptacle 10, is inserted (from left to right in FIG. 1) through the support component 40 of the formwork element 11 shown on the left in FIG. 1. The anchor rod 30 thereby passes section by section through the support component 40 of the further formwork element 5 and is attached there.
After the material filled between the formwork elements S has hardened, the anchor rod 30 is disengaged on the side of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 by counter-clockwise rotation. Owing to the different thread pitches between the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 and the second formwork anchor receptacle 20, this rotation gives rise to relative motion between these elements.
The second formwork anchor receptacle 20 is then disengaged from the anchor rod 30, and the anchor rod 30 with the formwork anchor receptacle 10 fastened thereto is removed after the holding means 44 has been disengaged.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 substantially corresponds to that of FIG. 1. However, the support components 40a that are used to receive the formwork anchor receptacles 10, 20 are designed differently. The support components 40a are cup-shaped and have a radius in the region in which the respective spherical section abuts.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an anti-rotation device 50 is additionally provided to lock the anchor rod 30 on the first formwork anchor receptacle 10. This anti-rotation device 50 is fitted onto the anchor rod 30 after insertion of a locking member through the first formwork anchor receptacle 10 and one of the openings 35 of the anchor rod 30.
In the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support components 40, 40a are each designed such that the formwork elements S can be stacked one on top of the other. This is ensured in that the section components 40, 40a substantially do not project beyond the plane of the formwork element.
FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a mount 44a in the region of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10, with which the formwork anchor receptacle 10 is prevented from protruding or turning relative to the section component 40a. The mount 44a thereby comprises a fixing means 44a′ protruding beyond the plane of the formwork element S. It is possible with the fixing means 44a′ to fasten the mount 44a to the support component 40a and to remove it therefrom in a relatively simple manner as required. The mount 44, which is provided in the region of the second formwork anchor receptacle 20, does not include additional fixing means.
It is apparent from the combination of the mounts 44a, 44 that these can be employed in accordance with the specific use and can be freely combined with the remaining components.
FIG. 4 relates to a further embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the external thread 34 used in the first embodiment, circumferential grooves or recesses 34a having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section are provided on the anchor rod 30a in the region of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10a. Several of these grooves are provided with markings which serve as some kind of rough guide in adjusting the length of the formwork anchor.
An opening 16a is provided in the section of the first formwork anchor receptacle 10a that is opposite to the spherical section 12a. Two half-shell holders 17a are inserted into this opening 16a together with the anchor rod 30a. Since the half-shell holders 17a have grooves 17b on their inner side, which engage into the grooves 34a of the anchor rod 30a, the half-shell holders 17a are fixedly connected to the anchor rod 30a after insertion into the opening 16a. While inserted, the half-shell holders 17a come up against a protrusion 16b in the opening 16a. From this protrusion 16b onwards, there is provided an opening 13a with a smaller diameter than in the region of the opening 16a. 
Furthermore, a resilient connecting means 18a (fixing spring ring) is incorporated in the opening 16a in the end portion thereof such that half-shell holders 17a are pressed against the protrusion 16b and are thus interlocked with the first formwork anchor receptacle 10a. 
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the second formwork anchor receptacle 20a is designed with a substantially cylindrical section 21a as well as with a spherical section 22a. However, a recess 21a′ is provided in the region of the cylindrical section 21a, into which a mount 44b can penetrate. Just as in the first embodiment, the second formwork anchor receptacle 20a further comprises an opening 23a with an internal thread 24a. 
The anchor rod 30a is designed in substantially the same manner in the region of the second formwork anchor receptacle 20a as in the first embodiment. Due to the use of a one-sided thread in the region of the formwork anchor receptacle 20a, the process of erecting and dismantling the formwork can be further sped up.
FIG. 5a shows an embodiment of a mount 44a (disposed on the left in FIG. 4), which is inserted into the receiving region 42b of the support component 40 in order to fix the first or second formwork anchor receptacle in the support component. The mount 44a can thereby be screwed together with the formwork element S via a fixing means 44a′. 
FIG. 5b shows another embodiment of a mount 44b (disposed on the right in FIG. 4) for fixing a formwork anchor receptacle, preferably the second formwork anchor receptacle 20, 20a, in the support component. A folding spring 44b′, which in the functional state is placed against the inner wall of the ball socket, is thereby used to fix the position. In this way, the recesses and nibs are moved into the corresponding counter-deformations in the ball socket, i.e. their functional position as retaining and anti-rotation devices.
The integrated locking system with the mounts 44, 44a, 44b offers flexible connection options.

## Claims

1. A combination of a formwork anchor with an anchor rod, a first formwork anchor receptacle, a second formwork anchor receptacle, and a plurality of support components,
wherein said formwork anchor receptacles each comprise a preferably cylindrical section with an opening for insertion of the anchor rod, as well as a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element,
and wherein the first formwork anchor receptacle can be attached to a first end of the formwork anchor and the second formwork anchor receptacle can be attached to a second end of the formwork anchor, the support components being cup-shaped and the formwork anchor receptacles each being received in one of the plurality of support components, wherein the first formwork anchor receptacle has an internal thread in at least a section of the opening and the second formwork anchor receptacle has an internal thread in at least a section of the opening which has a pitch other than that of the internal thread of the first formwork anchor receptacle.

2. A formwork anchor receptacle for receiving an anchor rod provided to connect formwork anchor elements, said formwork anchor receptacle comprising:
a section with an opening for insertion of an anchor rod,
characterized in that the formwork anchor receptacle comprises a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element, wherein a locking means can be inserted into the formwork anchor receptacle and locked in place there to interlock an anchor rod with the formwork anchor receptacle, wherein the locking means has grooves engaging into grooves of the anchor rod.

3. A formwork anchor receptacle for receiving an anchor rod provided to connect formwork anchor elements, said formwork anchor receptacle comprising:
a section with an opening for insertion of an anchor rod,
characterized in that the formwork anchor receptacle comprises a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element, wherein a sealing member is received in the opening on an end portion of the spherical section.