Reverse-thread insert anchor for masonry applications

Abstract

A fastener anchoring system is disclosed. The fastener anchoring system provides for an anchor with first-direction external threading, while a bore through the anchor provides second-direction internal threading. Thus, the anchor is screwed/secured to a substrate in the first direction and unscrewed in the second direction, while the fastener being anchored in the bore is screwed/secured in the second direction and unscrewed in the first direction. As a result, unscrewing the fastener does not urge the unscrewing of the anchor from the substrate.

Claims

1. A fastener anchoring system, comprising: an anchor comprising: an anchor body extending from a head end to a bottom end; an external first-direction threading along an outer surface of the anchor body, the external first-direction threading spaced below the head end; a bore extending through the anchor body; the head end having a female receptacle; and the bore having an internal threading starting adjacent the female receptacle; and a fastener comprising: a fastener body having an external second-direction threading along an outer surface of the fastener body, wherein the first-direction is opposite the second direction, and wherein a first pitch of the external first-direction threading is more than triple a second pitch of the external second-direction threading, wherein the external second-direction threading operatively associate with the internal threading.

2. The fastener anchoring system of claim 1, further comprising: the head end having a head; the head having a diameter greater than a diameter of the anchor body, wherein a tapered portion connects the head and the anchor body; the bottom end terminates in a taper, wherein the external first-direction threading terminates along the taper; and the female receptacle at least circumscribes or is greater than an opening of the bore, wherein the female receptacle is dimensioned to operatively associate with a driver dimensioned to be operatively associated with the fastener.

3. The fastener anchoring system of claim 2, wherein the female receptacle is of a hexalobular internal type.

4. The fastener anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is associated with left-handed threading, and wherein the second-direction is associated with right-handed threading.

5. The fastener anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is associated with left-handed threading, and wherein the second-direction is associated with right-handed threading.

6. The fastener anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is associated with right-handed threading, and wherein the second-direction is associated with left-handed threading.

7. The fastener anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is associated with right-handed threading, and wherein the second-direction is associated with left-handed threading.

8. A method of installing anchor fasteners for hurricane-protective devices, comprising: providing the fastener anchoring system of claim 1; screwing the anchor body into a substrate in a counter-clockwise direction; and screwing the fastener into the bore in a clockwise direction, wherein the fastener secures a portion of a hurricane-protective device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

(9) Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may provide a reverse thread anchor 10 providing first-direction outer threading 14 along its body 22. The reverse thread anchor 10 may be made from carbon steel casting with an anti-corrosion coating. By threading, it is understood to be a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or forcefor example, a ridge wrapped around a cylindrical body 22 in the form of a helix. Generally speaking, the helix of a thread can twist in two possible directions, which is known as handedness. Most threads are oriented so that the threaded item, when seen from a point of view on the axis through the center of the helix, moves away from the viewer when it is turned in a clockwise direction, and moves towards the viewer when it is turned counterclockwise. This is known as a right-handed (RH) thread, while threads oriented in the opposite direction are known as left-handed (LH). The outer threading 14 may be counterclockwise, single or double helix threading so that the reverse thread anchor 10 is screwed into a substrate counterclockwise (i.e., first direction is counterclockwise or left-handed oriented). As a corollary, the reverse thread anchor 10 would be removed from the substrate in an opposite second direction; here, unscrewed in the clockwise direction.

(10) The reverse thread anchor 10 may extend from a head end 36 to a bottom end 18. An internal bore 20 may extend through the body 22 of the reverse thread anchor 10 from the head end 36 to the bottom end 18. The bore 20 may provide internal treading 24 having a second-direction, left-handed orientation for a fastener 26 to operatively associate with and screw into the bore 20 clockwise. The internal treading 24 may be internal -20 SAE thread through the entire length of the reverse thread anchor 10. As a result, such a fastener 26 would operatively disengage with and unscrew from the bore in the first, counter-clockwise direction.

(11) The head end 36 may provide a head 16 providing an hexalobular internal (female) receptacle 12, wherein such receptacle extends the depth of the head 16, approximately deep in certain embodiments. The hexalobular internal receptacle 12 may be dimensioned and adapted to operatively associate with a Torx (a Trademark owned by Textron) driver or equivalent male screwing instrument. The shape of the driver head receptacle 12 could be hexagonal, octagonal or square, as long as the shape of the receptacle 12 is adapted for sufficient application of torque to the anchor needed for the masonry applications disclosed herein, and so that the receptacle 12 opening is larger than the opening of the bore 20.

(12) It being understood that in an alternative embodiment, the first direction of the outer threading 14 could be clockwise (right-handed threading), while the second direction of the internal treading 24 is counter-clockwise (left-handed threading).

(13) A method of using the present invention may include the following. The reverse thread anchor 10 disclosed above may be provided. A user may, using standard power tools, drill a preparatory hole (in certain embodiments, 7/16 by 2 deep) into the substrate prior to insertion of the reverse thread anchor 10. The reverse thread anchor 10 may then be driven in a counterclockwise (first) direction. The fastener 26 for securing, for example, a hurricane-protective device, is installed in a standard clockwise direction. When corrosion is present, as is often the case when inserted bolts are not frequently removed, the bolt can be removed by using greater force without threat of the reverse thread anchor 10 coming out. Although the reverse thread anchor 10 is targeted for hurricane-protection devices which may be infrequently installed, other applications of equipment that is infrequently removed and reinstalled is possible. For example, anchoring machinery or construction equipment that will stay in place for extended periods of time could use this fastener anchor system for easy future removal and replacement.

(14) It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.