CONCRETE SCREW FOR FASTENING PARTS TOGETHER AND AS A LEVELING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

A concrete system comprising a concrete threaded rod and a concrete part having a threaded aperture for receiving the concrete threaded rod.

Claims

1. A concrete system for adjusting the height and preventing a rocking motion of an object, said object having a bottom surface, the system comprising a concrete threaded rod and a corresponding threaded part for receiving said concrete threaded rod, the corresponding receiving part being affixed to a selected area of the bottom surface of said object.

2. The concrete system of claim 1 wherein said object is positioned on an uneven surface prior to adjusting the height of said object.

3. The concrete system of claim 1 further including a concrete part that enables said threaded rod to be rotated.

4. The concrete system of claim 3 wherein said concrete threaded rod and said concrete part are formed as an integral unit.

5. The concrete system of claim 4 wherein rotation of said concrete part adjusts the height of said object.

6. A concrete system for fastening a first and second part together, said concrete system comprising a concrete threaded rod associated with said first part and a threaded concrete receiving aperture associated with said second part.

7. The concrete system of claim 6 wherein said first and second parts are concrete.

8. The concrete system of claim 6 further including a concrete member which is adapted to receive a tool that enables said threaded rod to be rotated.

9. The concrete system of claim 8 wherein said concrete threaded rod and said concrete member are formed as an integral unit.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

[0019] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are views of the concrete screw secured in the concrete mounting part;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of afire object having the concrete screws mounted to the bottom surface of an object;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating in more detail how the screw is mounted to the fire object;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one-half of the mold used to cast the concrete screws;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled furniture piece;

[0024] FIG. 6 is furniture piece of FIG. 5 disassembled;

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates the concrete threaded rod; and

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates the threaded rod inserted into a threaded aperture formed in a concrete receiving part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1(a) illustrates a concrete threaded rod, or screw, 10 having a thread pitch of a predetermined length (for example, a length of 0.434 inch causes the screw to travel one full screw revolution) and having a predetermined screw width of, for example, 1.50 inches. Note that these dimensions are exemplary only and are variable according to anticipated uses for the screw 10. Also shown is concrete part 12. FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of FIG. 1(a) showing the nut 14 which is part of the screw casting, along with concrete part and concrete screw (it should be noted that the basic casting manufacturing process in which a material having liquid characteristics is poured into mold which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape and then allowed to solidify, the solidified part then being ejected or broken out of the mold to complete the process, has been, known for centuries). Examples of additional thread dimensions are as follows:

[0028] Outer radius thread profile: 0.125 inches

[0029] Thread profile valley radius: 0.125 inches

[0030] Thread depth: 0.125 inches

[0031] FIG. 2 is a view of the bottom surface 16 of an object 10 that has multiple threaded screws, or rods, 10 (six illustrated) inserted, adjustment of the concrete screws being accomplished by using a wretch to rotate molded nut 14 to determine the height of each rod and thus the height of object 18 above the surface upon which it is placed.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a threaded rod 10 secured to the bottom of surface of object 10.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates one-half of mold 20 having concrete threaded rods d10 with integral concrete nuts 14 already cast.

[0034] The steps used to fabricate the concrete threaded rod, nut and receiving part used in the present invention are as follows: [0035] 1. The threaded rod and nut dimensions are drawn; [0036] 2. A digital model is fabricated using a 3d printing technology; [0037] 3. A silicon mold is utilized to recreate the 3d model multiple times for production casting of multiple parts per mold; [0038] 4. A two-part production mold (preferably fabricated from urethane) is made to cast multiple leveling feet; [0039] 5. Urethane rubber “knockouts” are fabricated and placed in the mold portion that is to form the female portion of the part to ensure that its threads stay clean and unobstructed after the concrete has′cured; [0040] 6. The concrete is then cast in the mold and allowed to harden after which the concrete threaded rod, nut and the cast concrete part are removed from the mold (note that separate molds can be used to cast each part if so desired); [0041] 7. The concrete leveling feet are threaded into the void space created by the urethane rubber knockouts in the cast concrete part; and [0042] 8. The adjustment feature provides needed ventilation for the fire related object without compromising its design.

[0043] The present invention, in one embodiment, is adapted for use with outdoor related objects such as fire bowls, fire tables, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and water bowls and outdoor furniture that are positioned on uneven surfaces. The concrete receiving part (secured to selected areas on the bottom surface of the object) and the corresponding concrete threaded rod are thus particularly adapted for leveling purposes which, in turn, prevents the object from rocking. The receiving part, although preferably formed of concrete, can also be fabricated from wood, metal or plastic for example. Although the present invention is adapted for use in outdoor related objects as noted above, it is anticipated that new uses for the concrete threaded rod and concrete nut combination will be developed in the Mare. In this regard, referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a lawn chair 50 is illustrated. Chair 50 comprises arms 52 and 54, seat 56, back 58 and aperture for receiving concrete screw 62.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a view of chair components prior to being assembled into the chair 50 shown in FIG. 5. A threaded recess 70 is formed in seat 56 to receive concrete screw 62 when nut 72 is rotated by an appropriate tool. It should be noted that other means can be used to enable concrete screw 62 to mate, such as a slotted screw head in conjunction with a screwdriver.

[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates the concrete screw 62 of the present invention and comprises threaded rod portion 80, cylindrical head 82 and nut 84. As noted with respect to the description of FIGS. 1-4 hereinabove, concrete components 80, 82 and 84 are preferably formed using a casting process in a manner whereby each of the components are formed at the same time, the result being in an integral unit.

[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates concrete screw 62 inserted into recess 70, whereby back 58 is secured to seat 56.

[0047] FIGS. 5-8 thus illustrate how a concrete screw is utilized to join two concrete parts together. Note that this technique can be used to join concrete parts together to form a structure other than chair 50.

[0048] It should be noted that the threaded rod/screw assembly may be built with various reinforcements installed in the concrete receiver to improve overall strength, such as metallic or non-metallic rods, the concrete being cast/poured around or over the reinforcement members while in the mold. To facilitate easier rotation of the component parts, ingredients that provide this feature is added to the concrete mix. Once the threaded concrete device is installed and positioned correctly, it can be secured, or locked, in place by filling cavities, or voids, in the assembly with additional concrete or a particular polymer. When the added substance hardens, the concrete screw can no longer be rotated or adjusted. Finally, the threaded rod and its corresponding receiver component can be produced in large scaled paths for leveling large and heavy structures, such as buildings, building parts and pool decks.

[0049] While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirt and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.