Marking System & Method For Use In Concrete Anchors

Abstract

The present invention provides for a marking system for use in concrete anchors, wherein the system is comprised of a setting tool with a rib to contact the anchor. Upon contact, the setting tool and the rib abrade a surface of the anchor and simultaneously create a score mark in order to indicate to the user of the concrete anchor that said anchor has been properly set. The entire anchor can also be pre-dipped into a lubricating substance to further facilitate the setting of the anchor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Canadian Application No. 2,929,995, filed May 16, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention relates to anchors and, more specifically, to marking systems to assist in the setting of such concrete anchors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments of features of the disclosure. These figures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a marking system for use in concrete anchors in a bore hole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is the first stage of the anchor setting process as shown in FIG. 1 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is the second stage of the anchor setting process as shown in FIG. 1 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is the third stage of the anchor setting process as shown in FIG. 1 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a lower perspective view of an underside of a collar of the setting tool shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 2B lower perspective view of an underside of a collar of the setting tool shown according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the disclosure and any modifications and/or alterations are within the scope of the contemplated disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a marking system 5 for use in drop-in anchors is shown, having an anchor 10 positioned in a pre-drilled bore hole 15 typically found in cementitious materials 17. The marking system 5 is generally comprised of an anchor 10 further comprised of a hollow shell 20, which is terminated in spreading lamellae 25 which serve to spread outwardly and secure the anchor in the bore hole 15. A bullet 35 is positioned within hollow shell 20 of the anchor 10 to set said anchor 10 by spreading the lamellae 25 outwardly during setting. A setting tool 50 is also provided to drive the bullet 35 downwardly, further comprised a collar 52, at least one pyramidally-shaped rib 54 positioned on a lower surface of the collar 52, and a tip 56 to contact the bullet 35. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that two or more ribs 54 could be provided to increase the likelihood that a user of the marking system 5 would see the score mark (not shown) created on the anchor 10 and further facilitate the setting of the anchor 10, or of a fastener or set screw to provide the same functionality. In this embodiment, the rib 54 could be machined into the collar 52 of the setting tool 50 but could also be brazed thereon and be comprised of carbide. In this particular embodiment, the upper surface 60 of the shell 20 is comprised of an abradable coating, which is abraded when the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10 and the collar 52 of the setting tool 50 repeatedly contact one another when driving the bullet 35 downwardly to set the anchor 10. A worker skilled in the art would also appreciate that the rib 54 could be constructed of carbide and soldered thereon, or the rib 54 would be machined together with the setting tool 50 as one piece. During operation, when the collar 52 and the rib 54 of the setting tool 50 contact an upper surface 60 of the anchor 10, the rib 54 will dent the upper surface 60 and create a score mark (not shown) thereon, acting as a first visual indicator that the anchor 10 has been set. As was explained above, the abradable coating on the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10 will also become abraded, which will serve as a second visual indicator that the anchor 10 has been set. The operation of the marking system 5 is further described below. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that in one embodiment, the abradable coating could be paint.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the marking system 5 is shown in three stages of setting the anchor 10. The first stage specifically shown in FIG. 1A shows the alignment between the tip 56 of the setting tool 50 and an opening 61 of the anchor 10. Meanwhile, the collar 52 and rib 54 positioned on the collar 52 of the setting tool 50 are aligned with the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10. With specific reference to FIG. 1B and according to a second stage of setting the anchor 10, the collar 52 is flush with the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10, and the rib 54 has created a score mark (not shown) on the upper surface 60. With specific reference to FIG. 1C and according to a third stage of setting the anchor 10, score mark 65 is shown having been created on the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10. The score mark 65 is obviously aligned with the rib 54. A worker skilled in the art of such anchors would appreciate that the three stages must be done sequentially in order for the anchor 10 to set properly, and for the score mark 65 to be most visible to an installer of the anchor 10. A worker skilled in the art would also appreciate that in the case of a manual installation without a drill, a hand setting tool could be used and would require a worker to strike the anchor a few less times and still provide the advantages as described above.

With further reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 1C, in order to set the anchor 10, the steps are: positioning the anchor shell 20 further comprised of an abradable upper surface 60 and a bullet 35 within a bore hole 15, striking the anchor 10 and bullet 35 with a setting tool 50 further comprised of a rib 54, wherein the striking of the anchor 10 will create a score mark 65 on the upper surface 60 of the anchor 10 to provide visual confirmation that the anchor 10 has been set.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B and according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, either one rib 54 or two ribs 54 are shown, positioned on an underside 70 of the collar 52. The underside 70 of the collar 52 is further comprised of a stepped male portion 75, which serves to mate with an annular female recession (not shown) of the upper surface (not shown) of the anchor (not shown). During the downward driving of the anchor 10, the stepped make portion 75 mates with the annular female recession (not shown) while the rib 54 contacts and creates a score mark (not shown) on the upper surface (not shown) of the anchor (not shown). A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that this male-female relationship is known in the art, although in this embodiment the upper surface (not shown) of the anchor (not shown) including the annular female recession (not shown) are comprised of an abradable coating as detailed above.

A worker skilled in the art would also appreciate that in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the entire anchor 10 comprised of the bullet 35 therein could be dipped, submerged or coated in a lubricating substance, or just the bullet 35 alone. Preferably, the lubricating substance is molybdenum disulfide or graphite which are dry lubricants ideal for this purpose, or another similar lubricant known in the art. In another embodiment, the lubricating substance could be paste such as grease in order to save on costs while still providing the advantage of an easier setting of the anchor 10 by the bullet 35 sliding downwardly therein. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that a lubricating member (not shown) could be positioned within the anchor shell 20, above or below the bullet 35. In such an embodiment, downwardly driving of the bullet 35 would engender a corresponding compression of the lubricating member (not shown) which would lubricate the bullet 35 and the inside of the anchor 10 to facilitate the setting of the anchor 10.

Many modifications of the embodiments described herein as well as other embodiments may be evident to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is understood that these modifications and additional embodiments are captured within the scope of the contemplated invention which is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed.

Claims

1. A marking system for use in drop-in anchors comprising: wherein the collar and rib of the setting tool contact the upper surface of the anchor to create a score mark on the upper surface which provides a visual indicator that the anchor has been set.

(a) an anchor further comprised of an upper surface and spreading lamellae;

(b) a bullet positioned in the anchor to set the anchor;

(c) a setting tool to drive the bullet downwardly further comprised of: (i) a collar; and, (ii) a rib positioned on the collar;

2. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the collar is further comprised of at least two ribs.

3. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the anchor is further comprised of an abradable coating, the abradable coating serving as a second visual indicator that the anchor has been set.

4. The marking system of claim 3 wherein the abradable coating is paint.

5. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the rib is pyramidally-shaped.

6. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the anchor and bullet have been coated with a lubricating substance.

7. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the collar is further comprised of a fastener and set screw.

8. The marking system of claim 1 wherein the rib is a brazed carbide on the collar.

9. A method of setting an anchor, the steps comprising: wherein the striking of the anchor will create a score mark on the upper surface of the anchor to provide visual confirmation that the anchor has been set.

(a) positioning an anchor shell further comprised of an abradable upper surface and a bullet within a bore hole;

(b) striking the anchor and bullet with a setting tool further comprised of a rib;