Patent ID: 12253201

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1through3show an example anchor assembly10for anchoring a riser pipe (seeFIGS.10through12) in a floor structure (seeFIGS.10through12). In this example, the anchor assembly10comprises a plate12having an upper face14and a lower face16oppositely disposed from one another, the plate12defining an aperture18extending there through. A sleeve20is attached to the plate12. The sleeve extends through the aperture18and defines a bore22oriented transversely to the plate12. The sleeve20includes an upper sleeve portion24having a sleeve top26projecting outward from the upper face14of the plate12. The sleeve20further includes a lower sleeve portion28having a sleeve bottom30projecting outward from the lower face16of the plate12. It is advantageous if the upper sleeve portion24of the sleeve20projects from the upper face14of the plate12to act as a water dam and prevent flooding between floors when the assembly10is installed.

Anchor assembly10may further comprise a plurality of studs32which extend from the lower face16of plate12. In one example, the studs32are welded to the plate12and have enlarged heads34. When the assembly10is installed in a poured floor such as concrete, studs32form a composite structure with the floor to provide fixity to maintain the orientation and location of the assembly during concrete pour and subsequent curing. Studs32also strengthen the concrete floor locally against punching shear failure and slab breakout failure. Studs32increase the area engagement between anchor assembly10and the floor (seeFIGS.10through12), which increases the loads which the assembly and the floor may sustain.

With reference again toFIGS.1through3, a plurality of collars36are attached to and extend through the plate12. Each a collar36establishes an attachment point to plate12and has internal screw threads38for receiving a threaded fastener as explained below. Each of the plurality of collars36has an upper collar surface40and a lower collar surface42. When the plurality of collars36are mounted to the plate12, the upper collar surface40may be mounted flush to the upper face14of the plate12, thereby preventing damage during and after construction. In one example, when the plurality of collars36are mounted to the plate12, the lower collar surface42projects outwardly from the lower face16. When positioned on the lower face16the collars36may be protected during concrete pour to prevent them from being clogged with concrete and ready to accept the fasteners64. One example utilizes a plurality of pour blocking elements44to prevent intrusion of the poured floor (such as concrete) from clogging the collars36.FIG.4illustrates one example of a pour blocking element44wherein it comprises a silicon cover46.FIG.5illustrates another example wherein the pour blocking element44comprises a temporary plastic fastener48that can be removed once the poured floor solidifies.FIG.6illustrates still another example wherein the pour blocking element44comprises a plastic plug50. It should be understood, however, that a variety of pour blocking elements44are contemplated by the present disclosure.

FIGS.10and11illustrate further aspects of the anchor assembly10comprising a stub pipe52which extends through the bore22of sleeve20. The stub pipe52permits the attachment of riser pipe elements54to the anchor assembly10and thus may have one or more circumferential grooves56positioned in an outer surface thereof. Grooves56are present when mechanical couplings are used to join the riser pipe elements54to the stub pipe52and are therefore positioned proximate to the ends of the stub pipe52. A bracket58is affixed to the stub pipe52and attaches the stub pipe52to the plate12. The bracket58may comprise a plurality of arms, in one example, first and second arms60and62attached and projecting transversely to the stub pipe52. The bracket58overlies the upper face14of plate12and is attached to the plate via a plurality of threaded fasteners64. Each fastener engages a respective collar36. It is advantageous to have the bracket58directly contact the plate12so as to distribute downward forces over as great an area as possible. Therefore, the upper sleeve portion24of the sleeve20is provided with a plurality of notches, in this example, first and second notches66and68. The first and second arms60and62are received within the first and second notches66and68allowing direct contact between the arms and the plate. In one example, the plurality of collars36are positioned on the plate12in alignment with the plurality of notches66,68. It is of course understood that bracket58may comprise additional arms60,62and that additional collars36may also be provided depending upon the dictates of a particular design. As shown inFIGS.10and11, a layer of fire insulation70is positioned between the stub pipe52and the sleeve20. The various components of the anchor assembly (excluding the fire insulation) may be formed of steel, and attachment of the various components via weldments is considered practical.

As further shown inFIGS.10and11, the disclosure also encompasses an installation72. Example installation72comprises an anchor assembly10installed in a poured floor74, preferably concrete. It is advantageous if the upper face14of the plate12is installed flush with the upper floor surface76of the poured concrete floor74. Additionally, the sleeve bottom30of the sleeve20may be positioned flush with the lower floor surface78of the poured concrete floor74. This flush sleeve20arrangement helps to ensure that the anchor assembly10can be supported on any concrete form work during the concrete pour.FIGS.10and11illustrate two example installation72embodiments.FIG.10shows an example wherein studs32reinforce a poured concrete floor74.FIG.11shows an installation example comprising a composite metal deck80and poured concrete floor74. Further engagement between the anchor assembly10and the floor structure may be provided by a plurality of shear keys82attached to the lower sleeve portion28of the sleeve20. Shear keys82project outwardly away from the bore22of sleeve20and engage the metal deck80. Shear keys82help properly position the sleeve20in the metal deck80during assembly and also help maintain sleeve20position during concrete pour. Shear keys82may take the form of discrete tabs welded to the lower sleeve portion28of the sleeve20.

In another example illustrated inFIG.12, the bracket58is attached directly to the riser pipe84. In this example installation72the anchor assembly10is again installed in a poured floor74, preferably concrete. The upper face14of the plate12is installed flush with the upper floor surface76of the poured concrete floor74. Additionally, the sleeve bottom30of the sleeve20may be positioned flush with the lower floor surface78of the poured concrete floor74. The bracket58is affixed directly to the riser pipe84and attaches the riser pipe84to the plate12. The bracket58again may comprise a plurality of arms, in this example, first and second arms60and62attached and projecting transversely to the riser pipe84. The bracket58overlies the upper face14of plate12and is attached to the plate12via a plurality of threaded fasteners64which engage the plurality of collars36in the fashion previously described.

Anchor assemblies10according to the present disclosure are expected to support riser pipes directly at the slab penetration point and thus provide a design which enhances the local load carrying capacity of both concrete floors as well as concrete composite metal decks. Assemblies10are expected to significantly reduce the total number of fixed supports required as compared with traditional riser systems and thereby reduce the number of “thermal lock points” to allow the riser to accommodate greater thermal expansion and contraction with lower stresses on the fixed supports.

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.