Pocketed concrete anchor

Abstract

The invention provides for a pocketed anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement. The anchor includes a body having a flange portion with a front and rear surface, a button portion extending from the rear surface, and a nose portion extending from the front surface. The anchor also includes a tapered bore that extends through the nose, flange, and button portions. The bore can receive a wedge that cams against the bore to clamp down on a tendon. The front surface of the flange has at least two planar surfaces that are parallel to the bearing surface on the rear surface of the anchor. One of the planar surfaces is recessed relative to the other such that the recessed surface is closer to the load bearing surface on the rear surface of the anchor. The two planar surfaces define a pocket on the anchor, where mounting holes may be located.

Claims

1. An anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement, comprising: a body .[.having.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a flange portion .[.with.]..Iadd., the flange portion having .Iaddend.a front .[.surface,.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a rear .[.surface, an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface.]., a button portion extending from the rear .[.surface.]. of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., and a nose portion extending from the front .[.surface.]. of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.extending laterally from the nose portion and from the button portion .[.so as to have.]..Iadd., the flange portion having .Iaddend.at least one bearing surface on the rear .[.surface.]. of the flange .[.to one lateral side of the button portion and an opposite surface on the front surface of the flange to the one lateral side of the nose portion opposite from the bearing surface.]. .Iadd.portion.Iaddend.; ribs on the front .[.surface.]. .Iadd.of the flange portion .Iaddend.that extend between the nose portion and the flange portion; a bore extending through the nose portion, the flange portion, and the button portion, the bore being tapered in diameter in the direction from the nose portion to the button portion to receive a wedge .[.that cams.]. .Iadd.adapted to cam .Iaddend.against the bore to clamp down on a tendon that extends into the bore from where the tendon enters the bore through the button portion; wherein .[.the opposite surface on.]. the front of the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.includes .[.at least two planar surfaces that define a pocket on the front surface of the flange.]. .Iadd.a recess, the recess having a bottom.Iaddend.; and .[.wherein a hole is formed in the pocket and the hole is closer to an outer edge of the pocket than it is to an inner edge of the pocket.]. .Iadd.wherein the front of the flange portion includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface offset from the second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface defines the bottom of the recess on the front of the flange portion, wherein the first planar surface is closer to the bearing surface than the second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface is surrounded by the second planar surface and wherein the recess has four sides, wherein walls extend between the two planar surfaces and define the depth of the recess on all four sides of the recess.Iaddend..

.[.2. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the pocket is formed by one of the two planar surfaces being recessed relative to the other planar surface so that the recessed planar surface is closer to the bearing surface than the other planar surface and the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface on at least three sides..].

.[.3. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 2, wherein the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface..].

.[.4. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 2, wherein walls extend between the two planar surfaces and define the depth of the pocket on all four sides of the pocket..].

5. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.is rectangular, the nose .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and the button .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.are centered on the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., and the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is located between the nose .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and a distal edge of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend..

6. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, .Iadd.wherein the flange portion has an edge; and .Iaddend. wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is spaced inward from the edge .[.surface.]. of the flange portion.

7. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the ribs include two ribs that converge toward one another in a direction toward the nose portion, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is positioned between the two ribs.

8. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is curved.

9. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is generally trapezoidal .[.in shape.]..

10. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.has two opposite sides that converge in a direction from an edge of the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.that is distal from the nose portion toward the nose portion.

11. An anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement, comprising: a body .[.having.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a flange portion .[.with.]..Iadd., the flange portion having .Iaddend.a front .[.surface.]., .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a rear .[.surface, an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface.]., a button portion extending from the rear .[.surface.]. of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., and a nose portion extending from the front .[.surface.]. of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.extending laterally from the nose portion and from the button portion .[.so as to have.]..Iadd., the flange portion having .Iaddend.at least one bearing surface on the rear .[.surface.]. of the flange .[.to one lateral side of the button portion and an opposite surface on the front surface of the flange to the one lateral side of the nose portion opposite from the bearing surface.]. .Iadd.portion.Iaddend.; ribs on the front .[.surface.]. .Iadd.of the flange portion .Iaddend.that extend between the nose portion and the flange portion; a bore extending through the nose portion, the flange portion, and the button portion, the bore being tapered in diameter in the direction from the nose portion to the button portion to receive a wedge .[.that cams.]. .Iadd.adapted to cam .Iaddend.against the bore to clamp down on a tendon that extends into the bore from where the tendon enters the bore through the button portion; wherein .[.the opposite surface on.]. the front of the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.includes .[.at least two planar surfaces that define a pocket on the front surface of the flange.]. .Iadd.a recess.Iaddend.; .[.and.]. wherein an inner edge of the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is curved .Iadd.and wherein the recess has four sides; and wherein the front of the flange portion includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface offset from the second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface defines a bottom of the recess on the front of the flange portion, wherein the first planar surface is closer to the bearing surface than the second planar surface and the first planar surface has four sides, wherein walls extend between the two planar surfaces and define the depth of the recess on all four sides of the recess, and the first planar surface is surrounded by the second planar surface on the four sides of the first planar surface.Iaddend..

.[.12. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the pocket is formed by one of the two planar surfaces being recessed relative to the other planar surface so that the recessed planar surface is closer to the bearing surface than the other planar surface and the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface on at least three sides..].

.[.13. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 12, wherein the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface..].

.[.14. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 12, wherein walls extend between the two planar surfaces and define the depth of the pocket on all four sides of the pocket..].

15. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.is rectangular, the nose .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and the button .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.are centered on the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend., and the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is located between the nose .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and a distal edge of the flange .Iadd.portion.Iaddend..

16. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is spaced inward from .[.the.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.edge surface of the flange portion.

17. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the ribs include two ribs that converge toward one another in a direction toward the nose portion, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is positioned between the two ribs.

18. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.is generally trapezoidal .[.in shape.]..

19. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 11, wherein the .[.pocket.]. .Iadd.recess .Iaddend.has two opposite sides that converge in a direction from an edge of the flange .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.that is distal from the nose portion toward the nose portion.

.[.20. An anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement, comprising: a body having a flange portion with a front surface, a rear surface, an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface, a button portion extending from the rear surface of the flange, and a nose portion extending from the front surface of the flange, the flange extending laterally from the nose portion and from the button portion so as to have at least one bearing surface on the rear surface of the flange to one lateral side of the button portion and an opposite surface on the front surface of the flange to the one lateral side of the nose portion opposite from the bearing surface; ribs on the front surface that extend between the nose portion and the flange portion; a bore extending through the nose portion, the flange portion, and the button portion, the bore being tapered in diameter in the direction from the nose portion to the button portion to receive a wedge that cams against the bore to clamp down on a tendon that extends into the bore from where the tendon enters the bore through the button portion; wherein the opposite surface on the front of the flange includes at least two planar surfaces that define a pocket on the front surface of the flange; and wherein walls extend between the two planar surfaces and define a depth of the pocket on all four sides of the pocket..].

.[.21. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the pocket has one of the two planar surfaces recessed relative to the other planar surface so that the recessed planar surface is closer to the bearing surface than the other planar surface and the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface on at least three sides..].

.[.22. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 21, wherein the recessed planar surface is surrounded by the other planar surface..].

.[.23. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the flange is rectangular, the nose and the button are centered on the flange, and the pocket is located between the nose and a distal edge of the flange..].

.[.24. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the pocket is spaced inward from the edge surface of the flange portion..].

.[.25. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the ribs include two ribs that converge in a direction toward the nose portion, wherein the pocket is positioned between the two ribs..].

.[.26. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the pocket is generally trapezoidal in shape..].

.[.27. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 20, wherein the pocket has two opposite sides that converge in a direction from an edge of the flange that is distal from the nose portion toward the nose portion..].

.Iadd.28. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the recess does not affect the surface area of the bearing surface..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the recess is less than a thickness of the flange portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the flange portion in an un-recessed portion of the flange portion is 0.225 inches..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the recess is 0.03 inches..Iaddend.

.Iadd.32. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the front of the flange portion includes two recesses..Iaddend.

.Iadd.33. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 32, wherein the anchor includes four ribs and each recess is between two ribs..Iaddend.

.Iadd.34. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the recess includes a hole through the flange portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.35. The anchor for post-tensioned concrete reinforcement according to claim 34, wherein the hole is closer to an outer edge of the recess than it is to an inner edge of the recess..Iaddend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pocketed concrete anchor embodying the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top elevation view thereof;

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 showing a pocketed concrete anchor embodying the invention and further showing a wedge, a tendon, and nails; and

(4) FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation view of a pocketed concrete anchor embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) Referring to FIG. 1, a pocketed concrete anchor 10 embodying the present invention is illustrated. The pocketed concrete anchor 10 has a body with a flange portion 14 that has both a front and rear surface 16, 18, as well as an edge surface 20. The body also includes a button portion 22, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, that extends from the rear surface 18 of the flange 14 and a nose portion 24 that extends from the front surface 16 of the flange 14. The nose portion 24 may be structured such that it has a seating surface 25 that can engage a hydraulic jack tensioner (not shown) during the tensioning of the tendon 34.

(6) As seen in FIG. 1, the flange 14 may be rectangular in shape and the nose and button portions 24, 22 may be centered on the flange 14. The flange 14 extends laterally from both the nose portion 24 and the button portion 22 to opposite distal edges 48 on the lateral sides of the nose and button portions 24, 22 and to opposite proximal edges 49 on the transverse sides of the nose and button portions 24, 22. The extension of the flange 14 creates a bearing surface 26 on the rear surface 18 of the flange 14 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The anchor 10 includes a surface 28 on the front of the anchor 10, opposite the bearing surface 26, which extends from the nose portion 24 in lateral and transverse directions.

(7) Referring to FIG. 3, the pocketed concrete anchor 10 includes a bore 30 that extends through the nose portion 24, the flange portion 14, and the button portion 22. As seen in FIG. 3, the bore 30 has a diameter that tapers in the direction from the nose portion 24 to the button portion 22 such that the bore 30 is capable of receiving two halves of a wedge 32 that cams against the bore 30 and clamps down on a tendon 34 that extends through the bore 30. The tendon 34 enters the bore 30 through the button portion 22 of the anchor body and exits through the nose portion 24.

(8) Returning to FIG. 1, the opposite surface 28 of the flange 14 includes at least two planar surfaces that are parallel to the bearing surface 26, where one of the two planar surfaces is a recessed planar surface 36 that is closer to the bearing surface 26 than the other planar surface 38 .Iadd.and offset therefrom.Iaddend.. The recessed planar surface 36 and the other planar surface 38 define a .Iadd.recess or .Iaddend.pocket 40. .Iadd.Thus, front surface 16 includes recess 40, where recessed planar surface 36 forms a bottom of recess 40. .Iaddend.The edge surface 20 extends between the bearing surface 26 and the un-recessed planar surface 38. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the anchor 10 includes two recessed planar surfaces 36, and thus, two pockets 40, each of which is surrounded by un-recessed or other planar surface 38 on all four sides.

(9) Importantly, the pockets 40 in the anchor 10 only decrease the thickness of the flange portion 14, and do not eliminate the thickness of the flange 14 in certain areas as would drilling holes in the flange portion 14. Although drilling holes in the flange 14 would conserve raw materials in the production of the anchor 10, and thus, result in economical savings in shipping, the pockets 40 do not affect the surface area of the bearing surface 26. A decrease in the area of the bearing surface 26 of the anchor 10 may create a significant negative impact upon the transfer of tensile strength to the concrete structure. The thickness of the flange in the unrecessed area (between surface 38 and surface 26) may be, for example 0.225 inches, and the depth of the recessed areas 40 of the flange may be, for example 0.03 inches.

(10) The anchor 10 also may include ribs 42 that extend between the nose portion 24 and the flange portion 14. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the anchor 10 includes four ribs 42. The ribs 42 may converge toward the nose portion 24 and extend to a point on the nose portion 24 that is spaced forward of the other planar surface 38. In other words, the ribs 42 may increase in thickness as they converge toward the nose portion 24.

(11) As seen in FIG. 2, each pocket 40, and thus a recessed planar surface 36 and the other planar surface 38, is between two ribs 42. Each pocket 40 is generally trapezoidal in shape and is composed of two opposite sides 44, 46 that converge in the direction from an edge 48 of the flange 14 that is distal from the nose portion 24 toward the nose portion 24. In this embodiment, a rib 42 is adjacent to each side 44, 46 of the pocket 40. The pocket 40 also includes an inner edge 50, which may be curved, and an outer edge 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket 40 may end where the ribs 42 end, spaced inwardly from the edge 48. In this embodiment, the outer edge 52 of the pocket 40 is spaced inward from the edge surface 20 of the flange 14 and parallels the distal edge 48 of the flange 14. Each pocket 40 also has walls 54 (four are identified in FIG. 2) that extend from the planar surface 38 to the recessed planar surface 36. Therefore, the walls 54 define the depth of the pocket 40. The walls 54 provide extra surface area to the anchor 10 that contributes more gripping area to be held by concrete for an anchor used in encapsulated applications, where concrete will flow into the pocket when it is being poured.

(12) The pocket 40 may also contain a hole 56 (two are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) through the recessed planar surface 36. The hole 56 may be located closer to the outer edge 52 of the pocket 40 than it is to the inner edge 50 of the pocket 40. As seen in FIG. 3, the hole 56 provides clearance for a nail 58, or other fastener, to mount the anchor 10 to the concrete slab (not shown), or if the nails 58 are driven in the opposite direction through the holes 56, into a form board (not shown). Although not shown, the mounting holes 56 may be positioned at a location other than in the pocket 40. Moreover, an anchor 10 may be free of any mounting holes 56 altogether and may be attached to the concrete slab or form board by other means.

(13) The pocketed concrete anchor 10 may be formed from metal, such as cast steel or ductile iron, by sand casting. As the accuracy of sand casting is limited, not all surfaces or dimensions will be exact. Thus, when this description defines, refers to, or characterizes a surface, edge, or component using a descriptive term including, but not limited to, parallel, collinear, or planar, such a relationship is fulfilled when it is as close to that condition as the casting method provides under normal operating conditions.

(14) The foregoing description was primarily directed to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Although some attention was given to various alternatives within the scope of the invention, it is anticipated that one skilled in the art will likely realize additional alternatives that are now apparent from disclosure of embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined from the following claims and not be limited by the above disclosure.