US 11,536,021 B2 · Adjustable plate support for a precast concrete panel

Abstract

A weldment support for holding a weldment plate in a precast concrete form is provided. The weldment support holds the weldment plate at a predetermined position so that the weldment plate is exposed on one side of the finished precast concrete panel. Weldment plates have one or more studs extending into the form to anchor the plate in the precast concrete panel. The weldment support has multiple adjustment features to secure the weldment support to different sizes of studs and to set the weldment plate at different positions within the form. In some embodiments, one adjustment feature is a plurality of deflectable fingers that engage the stud of the weldment plate, and another adjustment feature is a plurality of segments that can be broken off of the support to set the position of the weldment plate in the form.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An adjustable plate support for positioning a weldment plate within a precast concrete panel, comprising:

a body extending between an upper end and a lower end along a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of segments of said body positioned at said lower end of said body, wherein a frangible portion is located between adjacent segments of said plurality of segments;
a plurality of fingers extending away from said body, said plurality of fingers positioned between said upper end of said body and said plurality of segments along said longitudinal axis, wherein at least two fingers of said plurality of fingers are configured to deflect in opposing directions about said longitudinal axis to receive a stud extending from a weldment plate, wherein said plurality of fingers are configured to position said stud substantially parallel to said body;
and
a top flange positioned at said upper end of said body above said plurality of fingers, wherein said top flange has a different cross-section than said plurality of fingers.

2 more elements

A method of manufacturing a precast concrete panel with a weldment plate, comprising:

providing a form that defines a precast concrete panel, wherein a bottom surface of said form defines a bottom surface of said precast concrete panel;
positioning a plate support in said form, wherein said plate support has a body with a height that extends between an upper end and a lower end, said lower end contacts said bottom surface of said form, and a plurality of segments are positioned at said lower end of said body;
breaking a frangible portion between adjacent segments of said plurality of segments to remove at least one segment of said plurality of segments to selectively adjust said height of said body;
positioning a stud body into a plurality of fingers extending away from said body, wherein said stud body extends downwardly from a lower surface of a weldment plate, and at least two fingers of said plurality of fingers deflect in opposing directions to receive said stud body;
positioning said stud body within said plurality of fingers such that said lower surface of said weldment plate contacts said upper end of said body;
and
pouring concrete into said form to produce said precast concrete panel, wherein said weldment plate is exposed at a top surface of said precast concrete panel.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable plate support for a precast concrete panel

Life of this patent

Adjustable plate support for a precast concrete panel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13