ANCHOR CHAIR

Abstract

An anchor chair is configured for transmitting a pulling force from an elongated foundation element to a wall. The anchor chair includes a passage for the elongated foundation element, and a cavity between a first opening located on a first side of the anchor chair, which first side is facing away from the wall in attached state, and a second opening located on an opposite side of the anchor chair, which opposite side is facing the wall in attached state and which opposite side defines in attached state a contact area of the anchor chair to contact the wall. The first opening is a slot-shaped opening having two long sides and two short sides. In an attached state, the long sides of the slot-shaped opening of the anchor chair are oriented parallel to a plane perpendicular to the wall.

Claims

1. An anchor chair configured for transmitting a pulling force from an elongated foundation element to a wall, wherein the elongated foundation element extends through the wall and the anchor chair, the anchor chair comprising a passage for the elongated foundation element, wherein the passage comprises a cavity between a first opening located on a first side of the anchor chair, which first side is facing away from the wall in attached state, and a second opening located on an opposite side of the anchor chair, which opposite side is facing the wall in attached state and which opposite side of the anchor chair is configured for contacting the wall in attached state, wherein the first opening is a slot-shaped opening having two long sides and two short sides, wherein in attached state, said long sides of the first opening of the anchor chair are oriented parallel to a plane, said plane being perpendicular to the wall and comprising said elongated foundation element.

2. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein said slot-shaped opening extends along a front outer surface defined by the long sides and the short sides of the slot-shaped opening on the first side of the anchor chair, wherein in attached state the front outer surface extends perpendicular to the axis of the elongated foundation element for a plurality of application angles (α) of the elongated foundation element.

3. The anchor chair according to claim 2, wherein the front outer surface extends perpendicular to the axis of the elongated foundation element for all application angles (α) of the elongated foundation element.

4. The anchor chair according to claim 3, wherein said front outer surface is a curved front outer surface.

5. The anchor chair according to claim 3, wherein said front outer surface is a cylindrical front outer surface.

6. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein an abutment surface for receiving a fastening element is provided adjacent the first opening.

7. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the first opening has an obround circumference.

8. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the second opening has a circular or obround circumference.

9. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the application angle (α) varies between −10° and 80°.

10. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein an indicator configured for identifying the abutment angle (β) and/or the application angle (α), is arranged near the first opening of the passage.

11. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the side of the anchor chair facing the wall in attached state comprises two wedge-shaped sides defining a contact area, which are configured for abutting in attached state near and/or against corresponding contact surfaces of the wall.

12. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane defined by the axes of the elongated foundation element positioned at the two extreme positions of the first opening.

13. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair consists of a single-piece casting.

14. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair consists of a single-piece casting of cast iron.

15. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair is manufactured as a single-piece casting.

16. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair is manufactured as a single-piece casting of cast iron.

17. The anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the anchor chair comprises one or more arms extending sideways in a direction parallel to the wall in attached state.

18. The composition comprising the anchor chair according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an elongated foundation element configured for arranging the anchor chair on an end of the elongated foundation element protruding from the wall via the cavity and for bringing the elongated foundation element through the cavity of the anchor chair for transmitting a pulling force from the elongated foundation element to the wall.

19. The composition comprising the anchor chair according to claim 14, wherein the composition further comprises an elongated foundation element configured for arranging the anchor chair on an end of the elongated foundation element protruding from the wall via the cavity and for bringing the elongated foundation element through the cavity of the anchor chair for transmitting a pulling force from the elongated foundation element to the wall.

20. The method for attaching the anchor chair according to claim 1, to an elongated foundation element, wherein the method comprises the following steps: arranging the elongated foundation element through a wall such that the longitudinal axis of the elongated foundation element has a defined application angle (α) with respect to a direction transverse to the wall; inserting an end of the elongated foundation element protruding from the wall in the cavity of the anchor chair through the second opening; arranging the end of the elongated foundation element through the anchor chair via the first opening of the anchor chair; fastening the elongated foundation element to the anchor chair by mounting a fastening element to the end of the elongated foundation element extending through the first opening of the anchor chair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an anchor chair according to the present invention, in a perspective view.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the anchor chair of FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the anchor chair of FIG. 1 in attached state to the wall.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the anchor chair of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the anchor chair of FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the anchor chair which is to contact the wall.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view on the upper side of the anchor chair.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view on the lower side of the anchor chair.

[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of the anchor chair similar to FIG. 3.

[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of an anchor chair according to the present invention.

[0054] The same reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements throughout the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0055] An anchor chair 10 according to the present invention, in attached state to a wall 30, in this case a secant pile wall, is shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the anchor chair 10 and FIG. 2 shows a front view of the anchor chair 10. FIG. 3 is a cross section of the anchor chair 10 in attached state to the wall 30, seen according to a plane 50 (see FIG. 2), which plane 50 is perpendicular to the wall 30 and comprising the elongated foundation element 20, more particular its axis 22.

[0056] The anchor chair 10 is configured to transmit a pulling force from an elongated foundation element 20 to the wall 30. A fastening element 40, for example a nut is screwed on the outer end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 extending from the wall 30 through the anchor chair 10. As such, the pulling force from the elongated foundation element 20 is transmitted to the wall 30 via the fastening element 40 and the anchor chair 10.

[0057] More details of the anchor chair 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the anchor chair 10, whereas FIG. 5 shows a front view of this anchor chair 10. FIG. 6 is a side view on the side of the anchor chair 10 which is to contact the wall 30. FIG. 7 is a top view of the anchor chair 10 and FIG. 8 is a view on the lower side of the anchor chair 10.

[0058] The anchor chair 10 comprises a passage 112 for the elongated foundation element 20 to pass through. The passage 112 comprises a cavity 140 between a first opening 122 located on a first side 12 of the anchor chair 10, which first side 12 is facing away from the wall 30 in attached state. The passage 112 further has a second opening 142 located on the second, opposite side 14 of the anchor chair 10, which opposite side 14 is facing the wall 30 in attached state and which opposite side 14 defines in attached state a contact area 1400 (see FIG. 6) of the anchor chair 10 to contact the wall 30.

[0059] As best seen in FIG. 5, the first opening 122 is a slot-shaped opening having two long sides 1222 and 1224 and two short sides 1226 and 1228, whereby in attached state, the long sides 1222 and 1224 of the first slot-shaped opening 122 of the anchor chair 10 are oriented parallel to a plane 50, this plane 50 being perpendicular to the wall 30. This plane 50 comprises the elongated foundation element 20, in particular the axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20. In this example, the first opening 122 has a substantial obround shape.

[0060] The first slot-shaped opening 122 extends along a front outer surface 1220 defined by the long sides 1222 and 1224 and the short sides 1226 and 1228 of the first slot-shaped opening 122 on the first side 12 of the anchor chair 10. In attached state, the front outer surface 1220 extends perpendicular to the axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20 for all application angles of the elongated foundation element 20. As can be seen in FIG. 3 the tangent plane 25 extends perpendicular to the axis 22, so that the value of the abutment angle β substantially equals the value of the application angle α. This allows that in attached state, the front outer surface 1220 near the fastening element 40 extends substantially perpendicular to the axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the anchor chair 10 seen according to a plane 50, which is the plane 50 perpendicular to the wall 30 and comprising the elongated foundation element 20, more particular its axis 22, when the anchor chair 10 is in attached state to the wall 30. As can be noticed, the front outer surface 1220 is curved, more specific is a cylindrical front outer surface.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the application angle α is approximately 30°. The application angle α is the angle between the axis 22 and the perpendicular line 24, which line 24 is perpendicular to a plane of the wall 30, thus also to a plane 31 arranged parallel to the wall 30. A positive angle is measured counterclockwise from the perpendicular line 24 to the axis 22. The elongated foundation element 20 is oriented downwards in the wall 30. In case the elongated foundation element 20 is near the maximum extreme position 1230 in the first opening 122, the application angle α is slightly more than 45°. In case the elongated foundation element 20 would be in the other, minimum extreme position 1232 in the first opening 122, the elongated foundation element 20 would be at an application angle of slightly less than 0°. In other words, the elongated foundation element 20 would be substantially perpendicular to the wall 30. To provide elongated foundation elements 20 oriented upwards in the wall 30, which can be required when the wall is e.g., the upper wall of a tunnel, the anchor chair can be turned 180° round a line 24 perpendicular to the opposite side 14. Application angles of −45° and more may be achieved as such.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, adjacent and around the first slot-shaped opening 122, an abutment surface 1240 for abutting the fastening element 40 is provided. The abutment surface 1240 is arranged in a part of the first side 12 of the anchor chair 10 surrounding the first opening 122, or in other words, the first opening 122 is arranged in a part of the first side 12 comprising the first abutment surface 1240. The tangent plane 25 to the abutment surface 1240 is perpendicular to the axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20 for all application angles. Since in attached state, the abutment surface 1240 and the front outer surface 1220 extends perpendicular to the axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20 for all application angles α of the elongated foundation element 20, an abutment angle β in the range of 50° to −10° may be provided. This abutment angle β is the angle of the tangent plane 25 to the abutment surface 1240 with respect to the wall 30, or in other words with respect to the longitudinal plane 31 parallel to the wall 30. The provision of this abutment surface 1240 has the advantage that the fastening element 40 finds a fitting seat and may abut the front outer surface 1220 of the anchor chair 10 properly.

[0064] As is best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the anchor chair 10 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane 50, which plane is also defined by the axes 22 of the elongated foundation element 20 positioned at the two extreme positions 1230 and 1232 of the first opening 122. The opposite side 14 facing the wall 30 comprises two wedge-shaped sides 170, which are configured for abutting in attached state near and/or against corresponding contact surfaces 150 of the wall 30, particularly in case the wall is a secant pile wall. The wedge-shaped sides 170 define a contact area 1400 of the anchor chair 10 to contact the wall 30. As such, the anchor chair 10 is arranged at least partially between corresponding inclined wall parts of the wall 30. Arranging the anchor chair 10 at least partially between such corresponding contact surfaces 150 in the wall 30 is advantageous as this reduces the distance by which the anchor chair 10 protrudes beyond the wall 30, whereby for example, less space is lost for arranging additional elements beyond the wall 30 where the anchor chair 10 is arranged.

[0065] The anchor chair 10 also comprises side parts 160 located near the openings 122 and 142 that limit the common cavity 140. The side parts 160 extend for example to the wedge-shaped sides 170. Because of the side parts 160, a firm and robust construction of the anchor chair 10 is obtained.

[0066] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the anchor chair 10 is provided with one or more indicators 135 configured for identifying the abutment angle and/or the application angle. These indicators 135 are arranged near the first opening 122 of the passage 112, which first opening 122 is located on the first side 12 of the anchor chair 10. In the embodiment shown, the application angle α being either 0° or 50° is indicated. The operator installing the anchor chair 10 may easily verify the application angle that the elongated foundation element 20 has in view of the wall 30.

[0067] This anchor chair 10 has several advantages. The anchor chair 10 may receive elongated foundation elements 20, usually steel bars with a diameter of 32 mm up to 42 mm, at any application angle between the minimum application angle and the maximum application angle. As such, mistakes or slight variations in the direction of the elongated foundation element 20 made while introducing the elongate foundation element 20 in the wall 30, may be accommodated without may difficulties. The fastening element 40 can be provided, e.g., screwed, on the outer end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 without many difficulties, while the pulling force will be transmitted to the wall 30 efficiently. Only one type of anchor chair 10 for each of the application angles is needed. So little to no mistakes can be made.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a composition comprising the anchor chair 10, the composition further comprising an elongated foundation element 20 configured for arranging the anchor chair 10 on an end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 protruding from the wall 30. Via the passage 112 and the second opening 142, the elongated foundation element 20 is brought through the cavity 140 of the anchor chair 10 and further through the first opening 122 to the first side 12 of the anchor chair 10.

[0069] So according to a method for attaching the anchor chair 10 according to the invention to an elongated foundation element 20, the method comprises first arranging the elongated foundation element 20 through a wall 30 in the soil such that the longitudinal axis 22 of the elongated foundation element 20 has a defined application angle α with respect to a direction transverse to the wall 30. Thereafter a step of inserting the outer end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 protruding from the wall 30 in the cavity 140 of the anchor chair 10 through the second opening 142 is to be performed. Next the end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 is arranged through the anchor chair 10 via the first opening 122 of the anchor chair 10. Thereafter, the elongated foundation element 20 is fastened to the anchor chair 10 by mounting a fastening element 40 to the end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 extending through the first opening 122 of the anchor chair 10.

[0070] Because the first slot-shaped opening 122 is adapted to receive the outer end 21 of the elongated foundation element 20 at any application angle between the minimum and the maximum application angle, no problem with possible variations within tolerances for the application angle in view of the specified application angle, is encountered. The method according to the invention results in a fast, carefree, and easy mounting of the anchor chair. As the variation in application angles is significant, only one type of anchor chair is to be available on the construction site and little to no mistakes can be made.

[0071] In the embodiment of FIG. 10 the anchor chair 10 further comprises one or more arms 144, 146 extending sideways of the first opening 122 in a direction parallel to the wall and arranged preferably near the long sides 1222, 1224 of the first slot-shaped opening 122. The central part of this anchor chair 10 is made similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0072] Preferably, according to the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 10, the anchor chair 10 consists of a single-piece casting. This means that the anchor chair 10 only consist of a cast structure, which has been manufactured with a suitable material such as cast iron, cast steel, and the like. Cast iron is preferred in this case as it enables a simple and efficient casting process and use of material. When the anchor chair 10 is manufactured in this way as a single-piece casting, this allows a compact and simple to manufacture casting that is able to resist high pressure forces generated by transmitting the pulling force in the elongated foundation element 20 to the wall 30.

[0073] Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention may be embodied with various changes and modifications without departing from the scope thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. In other words, it is contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. It will furthermore be understood by the reader of this patent application that the words “comprising” or “comprise” do not exclude other elements or steps, that the words “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computer system, a processor, or another integrated unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claims concerned. The terms “first”, “second”, third”, “a”, “b”, “c”, and the like, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced to distinguish between similar elements or steps and are not necessarily describing a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “over”, “under”, and the like are introduced for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to denote relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention are capable of operating according to the present invention in other sequences, or in orientations different from the one or ones described or illustrated above.