Patent Application
20180238367
This invention relates to a setting tool and method for the installation of a wedge anchor into masonry and similar solid wall structures.
Wedge type anchors have long been installed into masonry walls and other solid structures which are fabricated of concrete, concrete brick, and similar materials, in order to fasten various different components to the structures. In most cases the anchors are hammered or otherwise installed into the holes, which are drilled by some type of rotary drilling tool. This is a laborious task, requiring excess manpower and time.
In order to address some of these disadvantages inherent in the installation of wedge anchors, various types of anchor setting tools have been proposed. While such tools purport to assist in the process of installing anchors into masonry structures, these tools have distinct disadvantages. Most setting tools consist of a number of separate components, requiring multiple installation steps. Others require additional tools, e.g. hammers, to complete the installation process. This results in the work being labor intensive and, in many cases, unsafe. This is especially true when anchors are to be installed in high or overhead locations.
None of the prior wedge anchor setting tools and methods provide a simple, easy to use, and effective installation tool.
It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of existing anchor installation tools and installation methods.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which consists of only two integral, separate, components which, along with a common rotary drilling tool, are easy to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which can be configured to install a variety of differently sized wedge anchors.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which is safe to use in all wedge anchor installation locations and situations.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which provides an effective and accurate fit for the installation of wedge anchors.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wedge anchor setting tool and installation method which requires the user to expend less labor and energy during the installation process.
These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a wedge anchor setting tool which comprises an elongated drill bit component having a drill tool receiving member its rear section and a drill bit member at its front section. A polygonal shaped element is located between the two sections. A separate and independent sheath component is provided which has an open passage and an opening at the terminus of each end, the first end having a polygonal shape which conforms to the polygonal element and the second end having a polygonal shape which conforms to the shape of the wedge anchor to be installed. The method of installing the wedge anchor with the setting tool includes drilling a channel opening into a solid wall or similar structure using the drill bit component. The sheath component is then inserted over the drill bit component and the wedge anchor is inserted into the smaller opening at the second end of the sheath component. The wedge anchor is then driven into the solid structure and tightened by the drilling tool to secure an attachment member to the wall.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The wedge anchor setting tool of the present invention comprises elongated drill bit component 2 having front section 4 and rear section 6. Rear section 4 comprises drill bit receiving member 8 and front section 6 comprises drill bit member 10. Polygonal shaped element 12, shown in the drawings as being hexagonal in shape, is located between sections 4 and 6. Element 12 has a given width larger than the diameters of sections 4 and 6.
A separate and independent elongated sheath component 20 having first end 22 and second end 24, has open passage 26 extending therethrough, between the ends of the sheath component. Openings 28 and 30 at the terminus of ends 22 and 24, each have an internal width. First end 22 has a polygonal shape which conforms to the shape of polygonal element 12. Second end 24 has a polygonal shape which conforms to the shape of the wedge anchor 32 to be installed in a solid structure, such as masonry wall structure 40. Again, the drawings show these polygonal shapes as being hexagonal in nature. The internal width of opening 28 at first end 22 of sheath component 20 is slightly larger than the width of element 12 of drill bit component 2, such that the element can fit within end 22. The internal width of opening 30 at second end 24 is slightly larger than the corresponding shaped head of wedge anchor 32 being installed. The internal width of opening 28 at end 22 of sheath component 20 is greater than the width of opening 30 at end 24 of the sheath component.
In operation, drill bit receiving member 8 of drill bit component 2 is connected to drilling tool 50. Drilling tool 50 is then operated to rotate drill bit component 2 such that channel opening 42 is drilled into wall structure 40. See
Drill bit component 2 is then withdrawn from channel opening 42. See
By use of the setting tool of the present invention, wedge anchors can be quickly and accurately installed into concrete, concrete block, and other masonry wall structures. The resulting installation provides an effective, secure, and accurate attachment of the wedge anchor.
While the drawings show that element 12 and the corresponding, conforming shape of end 22 of sheath component 20 are hexagonal in configuration, any convenient polygonal shape can be utilized for these components. In addition, drill bit components of a multitude of sizes can be provided for the installation of differently sized wedge anchors.
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
