Patent Abstract:
The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for constructing a concrete structure. In one embodiment, a structure includes a column section and a beam section. One of the column section and the beam section includes an assembly with a threaded rod, and the other of the column section and the beam section includes an assembly having an aperture configured to receive the threaded rod.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(c) to U.S. application Ser. No. 62/205,874, filed Aug. 17, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated into the present application by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for constructing a concrete structure. In particular, the invention relates to constructing a concrete structure using pre-cast concrete components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventional methods and apparatuses for constructing a structure with field poured components can be labor and time intensive. The use of pre-cast elements is desired, but can lead to a weaker structure than can be attained with field poured elements. Accordingly, a need for a more efficient method and apparatus for constructing a strong structure with pre-cast concrete elements has been developed by the present inventors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for constructing a concrete structure. In one embodiment, a structure includes a column section and a beam section. One of the column section and the beam section includes an assembly with a threaded rod, and the other of the column section and the beam section includes an assembly having an aperture configured to receive the threaded rod. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OH THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a concrete structure that can be constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary connection of a column to a foundation; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates cross-sections of the column shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4 and 5A-5E  illustrate an exemplary process for making the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrate a top view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows a side perspective view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows a side internal view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows a side external view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows a top internal view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  shows another side view of an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Reference is presently made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are illustrated in or represented by the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the present subject matter, not limitation of the present subject matter. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present subject matter without departing from the scope or spirit of the present subject matter. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the disclosure and equivalents thereof. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a structure  10  built according to one embodiment of the present invention. Structure  10  includes a column  20  and four beams  100 . However, structures with one to three beams  100  connected to column  20  are also possible. Further, any configuration of one to three beams is also included, such a two beams  100  on adjacent sides of column  20  and two beams  100  connected to opposite sides of column  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Such modifications are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0021]    Structure  10  may be used in any type of concrete structure, especially buildings, parking garages, and industrial structures. Columns in the interior of structures may have beams connected to all four sides, while corner columns may have only two beams connected to adjacent sides of a column, and side columns may have only two or three beams attached thereto. 
         [0022]    Column  20  may be connected on the bottom end to a foundation  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This is an exemplary connection, and other connections to a foundation are also possible. Further, column  20  may be connected to identical columns on the top and bottom to build a tall structure, with only the bottom column  20  connected to a foundation  12 . 
         [0023]    Column  20  may include an embedded threaded rod assembly  22 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , column  20  includes 16 such assemblies  22 . Four assemblies  22 A are arranged in a row at an upper portion of the column  20  and extend between opposite sides, and an additional four assemblies  22 B are arranged in a row at an upper portion of the column  20  and extend between the other two opposite sides. Further, four assemblies  22 C are arranged in a row at a lower portion of the column  20  and extend between opposite sides, and an additional four assemblies  22 D are arranged in a row at a lower portion of the column  20  and extend between the other two opposite sides. 
         [0024]    Each assembly  22  includes a threaded rod  24 . Threaded rod  24  is initially contained mostly within assembly  22 , but is rotated to extend out of assembly  22  and into an aperture in embedded assembly  110  of beam  100  as discussed below. 
         [0025]    In this manner, column  20  can connect to 8 beam rebars  112  in each beam  100 . These rebars  112  extend the length of the beam  100 , ending at embedded assembly  110 . Embedded assembly  110  includes an opening at the end of the beam lo receive threaded rod  24 . Embedded assembly  110  also includes grout port  114  to receive grout into the assembly  110  after the threaded rod  24  is turned to extend into the assembly  110 . 
         [0026]    Column  20  also includes aperture  30  which receives shear lug  121  of beam  100 . Shear lug  121  can be moved into and out of housing  120  of beam  100  using handle  122 . Accordingly, a method of assembling the structure of  FIG. 1  is as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5A-5E . First, beam  100  is lifted adjacent column  20  using a crane. Handle  122  is used to move shear lug  121  of beam  100  into aperture  30  of beam  20 . The crane can then be disconnected, as shear lug  121  is designed to support beam  100  during assembly. Threaded rods  24  are then rotated until they extend into assemblies  110 . Frame  200  is them assembled on the joint between column  20  and beam  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Grout is then fed into grout ports  114  to fill the empty volume in assemblies  110  and the space between the column  20  and beam  100 . The grout is contained by frame  200  until it dries. Frame  200  is then removed and the connection is complete. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of column section  20  with threaded rods  24  extending varying lengths into beam  100 .  FIG. 7  is a side view of structure  10  showing shear lugs  120  extending into column  20 .  FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of structure  20  showing the internal details in two of beams  100  and the external details of two of beams  100 .  FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of structure  10 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of structure  10  showing the internal details of the column and beams, as shear lug  121  is extended into the column and the threaded rods are extended into the beams.  FIG. 11  is a side view of structure  10  showing the internal details of the column section.  FIG. 12  is a top view of structure  10  showing the internal details of the column section. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1-12  show that threaded rods  24  are part of column  20  and are extended into beams  100 . However, in another embodiment, threaded rods  24  could be part of beams  100  and extended into column  20 . These modifications are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0029]    In this regard.  FIGS. 13 and 14  show an embodiment in which threaded rods  410  are located in beams  400  and during assembly are rotated until they extend into threaded nut  330  in column  320 . Rebar  350  may be permanently threaded into an opposite side of nut  330  and extend to another nut  330  on an opposite side of the column  320 . Threaded rod  410  may be inside an initially hollow assembly  405 . Rebar  412 , which extends the length of beam  400 , may extend into an end of assembly  405 . Apertures  450  in assembly  405  allow an adhesive, such as grout, to be added to the assembly after the rod  410  is threaded into nut  330  to fill all the empty space in assembly  405  and fix the structure permanently. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show that rod  410  and nut  330  have a tapered thread, as opposed to the parallel threads shown in  FIGS. 1-12 . Either a tapered or parallel thread can be used in any of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-14 , and these modifications are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0031]    The present written description uses examples to disclose the present subject matter, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated and/or associated methods. While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated Unit those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4