Abstract:
An anchoring system is disclosed, having an anchor where one end is plurality of prongs configured to expand and retain a substrate when engaged by a threaded rod pin and the other end is a partially threaded opening configured to engage the threaded rod pin. The threaded rod pin has a section of exterior threading that will engage with both the coupler and the anchor. A drill depth measuring guide having a hollow threaded holder to accept a dill bit. The holder has a setscrew to secure it to the drill bit and an exterior threaded cylinder to matingly engage a locking nut and a collar that can be threaded onto the holder at various locations to allow for different drill depths.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    Anchor systems are used to attach objects to structures or concrete. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    There are two broad types of anchor systems for solid substrate construction materials: post-installed anchors and cast-in-place anchors (CIP). Post-installed anchors include Mechanical Expansion Anchors (MEA) and bonded anchors. MEA&#39;s are inserted in pre-drilled holes and are placed using a three-step process: (a) hammering the anchor into an opening in the substrate, (b) tightening a nut to engage an expansion mechanism, and (c) expanding the anchor into substrate. This process requires laborers to switch between tools when attempting to place an anchor, which is time inefficient and potentially hazardous under certain circumstances, for example, a worker may drop tools while switching. In addition a hammer is often used, which is potentially hazardous. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The anchoring system streamlines the aforementioned process, such that only a power drill is required. The system is comprised of: a knurled drop-in anchor with prongs at one end, a machined threaded rod pin, a rod coupler with a stopper, a spline socket and a drill depth-measuring guide. Once the hole is drilled to its designated depth using a drill depth-measuring guide, the anchor is inserted. The threaded rod pin is then inserted into the aperture of the anchor and rotated inwardly. The coupler is then threaded onto the exposed end of the threaded rod pin. The spline socket then engages the coupler and is used to rotate the coupler-rod pin assembly into the drop-in anchor. As the threads of the rod pin engage with the threads of the anchor, the rod pin will continue into the anchor until it forces expansion of the distal end of the anchor to ensure that the anchor is secured into the substrate material. Finally, when the coupler-rod pin is released from the drill, the threaded portion of the rod remains exposed allowing for utilization of the anchor system. The anchor provides for options such has securing, hanging, stopping, supporting, and mounting items to the substrate. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, the drill depth-measuring guide with a pre-set depth is determined by the sleeve is used to create a hole of a desired depth and diameter. The anchor is then placed into the hole and the threaded rod pin is inserted into the exposed partially-threaded aperture of the anchor. A coupler is then threaded onto the exposed threaded rod pin. By rotating the coupler onto the threaded rod pin, the threaded rod pin will proceed into the anchor such that the threaded rod pin will apply a force to the interior sloped interior surface of the prongs. The force exerted by the threaded rod pin on the prongs will cause them to transfer that force through expansion onto the interior walls of the hole thereby locking the anchor into the hole. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment the adjustable drill depth measuring guide is used to create a hole. The adjustable drill depth guide is first configured to the desired drill depth by inserting a drill bit through the interior aperture of the threaded holder and tightening the setscrew at the head of the threaded holder onto the shank of the drill bit. Then a locking nut is threaded onto the threaded holder followed by the collar. The collar is threaded onto the holder until the desired amount of drill bit tip is exposed. The locking nut is tightened against the collar, thus locking the collar in place. The hole is then drilled. The anchor is then placed into the hole and the threaded rod pin is inserted into the exposed partially-threaded aperture of the anchor. A coupler is then threaded onto the exposed threaded rod pin. By rotating the coupler onto the threaded rod pin, the threaded rod pin will proceed into the anchor such that the threaded rod pin will apply a force to the interior sloped interior surface of the prongs. The force exerted by the threaded rod pin on the prongs will cause them to transfer that force through expansion onto the interior walls of the hole thereby locking the anchor into the hole. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a cost-effective and efficient anchoring system and eliminates the need to have multiple tools such as a hammer, socket sets, and wrenches for the application of existing drop-in anchor systems presented in the prior art. 
         [0009]    The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a drop-in anchor grip apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the drop-in anchor grip apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a drill bit depth measurement guide, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a drill bit depth measurement guide, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a spline socket, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a spline socket, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. ( 1 - 6 ) wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the anchoring apparatus  1  has a generally cylindrical anchor  2  having a first end  3  and a second end  4 . The first end  3  of the anchor  2  has a plurality of prongs  5 . In an embodiment, the prongs  5  are formed by a plurality of longitudinal cuts in the first end of the anchor  1 , wherein a distal end of the prongs  5  is at the first end  3 . In one embodiment, each of the prongs  5  have a knurled or textured exterior surface. The second end  4  of the anchor  2  has a partially threaded interior aperture extending therethrough adapted to receive a threaded rod pin  20 . The distal end of each prong  5  is tapered for ease fitting in openings.  FIG. 1  also shows a threaded rod pin  20 , as a middle portion of the anchoring apparatus, having a first end  21  and second end  22 . The second end  22  of the threaded rod pin  20  has a threaded exterior configured to matingly engage a coupler  30 . The first end  21  of the threaded rod pin  20  is configured to penetrate the anchor  2  prior to the second threaded end  22  of the threaded rod pin  20 .  FIG. 1  also shows a coupler  30 . In an embodiment the coupler  30  has a hexagonal exterior shape for use with a hexagonal socket (not shown). The coupler  30  has a threaded interior aperture therethrough, with a separator dividing the threading at each end, to accommodate the threaded rod pin  20  and a threaded workpiece at once. In an embodiment, the coupler  30  has a set pin  35  held in place by a retaining clip  40 , and in another embodiment the aperture does not pass through, rather a separator (not shown) is present between the distal aperture and the proximal aperture. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-4  the anchoring apparatus has a drill depth-measuring guide  45 . One embodiment of this drill depth-measuring guide is having a permanently integrated sleeve  50  exposing only a desired amount of the functional end of the drill bit, such that the drilled hole is drilled to a set depth. Another embodiment of the drill depth-measuring guide is the adjustable drill depth apparatus  55 . The adjustable drill depth apparatus  55  has a collar  60  with a threaded aperture therethrough, configured to receive the externally-threaded cylinder  61  of the threaded holder  65 . The collar  60  sits on the end of the threaded holder  65 . The threaded holder  65  is made up of a hollow externally-threaded cylinder  61  that fits over a drill bit. The head  68  of the threaded holder  65  is affixed to the end of the cylinder  61 , having a setscrew  69  therein for engaging and retaining a drill bit shank. Threaded onto the cylinder  61  and rotatably adjustable is a lock nut  70  with a threaded aperture configured to receive the cylinder  61  of the threaded holder  65 , wherein the lock nut  70  may be tightened against the collar  60  to hold the collar in a given position on the cylinder  61 . 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 5-6  the spline socket  75  is used to rotate the coupler  30  and threaded rod pin  20 . The spline socket  75  has a tail end  80  adapted to be received by a drill or similar tool (NOT SHOWN). The head  85  of the spline socket  75  has an opening defined by a plurality of surfaces  90 . The number and characteristic of the surfaces  90  corresponds to the exterior surface of the coupler  30  near the interior portion of the surfaces  90  is a chamfered edge  95  to control the depth of the coupler  30  received by the spline socket  75 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the coupler  30  is permanently attached to the threaded rod pin  20  whereby the coupler  30 —threaded rod pin  20  is used to engage the anchor  2  and then be removed from the anchor such that the coupler  30 —threaded rod pin  20  can be used to engage multiple different anchors. 
       In Use 
       [0022]    In use, the drill depth measuring guide  45  is used in conjunction with a drilling tool to create a hole is a solid substrate to a desired depth and diameter. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the anchor are known and a user would select the drill depth guide with sleeve  50  that is permanently fixed at a set depth on a drill bit. A hole is then created in the substrate and an anchor  2  is placed therein with the prongs  5  being inserted into the hole. The threaded rod pin  20  is then inserted into the second end  4  of the anchor  2  such that the threaded end  22  contacts the interior partially threaded aperture of the anchor  2 . The coupler  30  is then threaded onto the exposed second end  4  and rotated such that the coupler  30  matingly engages the threaded rod pin  20 . The first end  21  of the threaded rod pin  20  will proceed to the first end  3  of the anchor  2  where it exert a force onto the sloped interior surface of the prongs thereby resulting in the transfer of force and outward expansion of the prongs  5  onto the adjacent walls of the hole. Such outward expansion will result in a frictional interaction between the knurled or textured exterior surface of the prongs with the walls of the hole. This interaction ultimately sets the anchoring apparatus  1  in a desired and static location. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the adjustable drill depth apparatus is used to create a hole in the substrate by first sliding a drill bit through the threaded holder  65  and tightening the setscrew onto the drill bit. Then, threading the locking nut  70  onto the externally-threaded cylinder  61 . The collar  60  is then threaded onto the externally-threaded cylinder  61  of the threaded holder  65  until the desired drill depth was exposed. Finally, the locking nut  70  is tightened against the collar such that it locks the collar in place. The anchor  2  is then oriented such that the first end  3  leads as the entire anchor  2  is placed therein. Next, the threaded rod pin  20  is placed into the second end  4  of the anchor  2 . The coupler  30  is then rotated onto the second end  22  of the threaded rod pin  20  such that the threaded aperture of the coupler  30  matingly engages the threaded rod pin  20 . After the coupler  30  has engaged the threaded rod pin  20 , the coupler  30  is continually rotated such that the first end  21  of the threaded rod pin matingly engages the second end  4  of the anchor  2 . The first end  21  of the threaded rod pin  20  will proceed to the first end  3  of the anchor  2  where it exert a force onto the sloped interior surface of the prongs  5  thereby resulting in the transfer of force and outward expansion of the prongs  5  onto the adjacent walls of the hole. Such outward expansion will result in a frictional interaction between the knurled or textured exterior surface of the prongs with the walls of the hole. This interaction ultimately sets the anchoring apparatus  1  in a desired and static location. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the spline socket  75  is used to rotate the coupler  30 . The tail end  80  of the spline socket is inserted into a drill. The head  85  of the spline socket is then positioned to address the coupler  30 . The couple  30  enters the head  85  of the spline socket  75 . The spline socket  75  is then rotated such that the interior surfaces  90  engage the coupler  30  and transfer the rotational forces from the drill through the spline socket  75  to the coupler  30 . The spline socket  75  continuously rotates the coupler  30  and threaded rod pin  20  into the anchor  2  until the prongs  5  are sufficiently engaged with the hole. 
         [0025]    The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.