Anchor and clutch assembly
AssigneeMeadow Burke, LLC
InventorsDavid L. Kelly, Michael J. Recker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Anchors, clutches, and lifting systems are described herein that increase the size of a shear cone within a precast concrete panel without using multiple clutches and without increasing the complexity of the lift system. A shear cone is the volume within the panel that the anchor and clutch pull on when orienting and positioning the precast concrete panel. Anchors described herein encompass a larger volume of the panel in different ways to produce a larger shear cone. Similarly, the clutches described herein have features that allow a clutch to accommodate the improved anchors. As a result, the anchors, clutches, and lifting systems provide a larger shear cone in the panel to increase the load capacity of the lifting system and reduce the likelihood of failure.
Claims19
A system for orienting and positioning a precast concrete panel, comprising:
- a precast concrete panel having a surface with a void extending from said surface into said precast concrete panel;
- an anchor partially positioned in said void, and said anchor having a first bar with a first plurality of arms extending into said precast concrete panel and having a second bar with a second plurality of arms extending into said precast concrete panel, wherein at least one arm of said first plurality of arms and at least one arm of said second plurality of arms form a bar angle of at least 15 degrees relative to each other, and wherein said first bar and said second bar form a single aperture within said void of said precast concrete panel;
- a clutch having a top portion with an opening, and said top portion having a width, said clutch having a bottom portion with a recess configured to receive said first and second bars of said anchor, and said bottom portion having a width that is larger than said width of said top portion;
- and
- a pin extending through said opening in said clutch, and said pin configured to rotate within a volume in said clutch to selectively pass through said single aperture of said bars and selectively secure said clutch to said anchor.
An anchor for providing an increased shear cone in a precast concrete panel, comprising:
- a first bar having a first plurality of arms extending from a first center portion, wherein said first plurality of arms has two arms that are oriented at a first angle relative to each other, and said first angle is between approximately 15 and 60 degrees;
- and
- a second bar having a second plurality of arms extending from a second center portion, wherein said second plurality of arms has two arms that are oriented at a second angle relative to each other, and said second angle is between approximately 15 and 60 degrees, wherein at least one arm of said first plurality of arms and at least one arm of said second plurality of arms form a bar angle of at least 15 degrees relative to each other;
- and
- a common aperture at least partially defined by said first center portion and said second center portion.
A lifting clutch for selectively engaging and receiving a lifting anchor embedded in a precast concrete panel, comprising:
- a top portion at least partially defining an opening, wherein a top surface of said top portion has a first radius of curvature, and said top portion has a width;
- a bottom portion defining a recess configured to receive an anchor, wherein a bottom surface of said bottom portion has a second radius of curvature, and said second radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature;
- and
- a first wing and a second wing of said bottom portion extend outwardly to define a width of said bottom portion that is larger than said width of said top portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.