Two stage wall connector
AssigneeThe Reinforced Earth Company
InventorsMichael Timmons, Roger Bloomfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures are comprised of a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three-dimensional space truss that accomodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.
Claims15
An apparatus for adjustably connecting a wire mesh facing of a mechanically stabilized earth mass to a concrete panel that forms a retaining wall facing, the apparatus comprising in combination:
- (a) a connector comprising (i) a rod with a first end and a second end;
- (ii) a first connector assembly at the first end of the rod having a first aperture;
- and (iii) a second connector assembly at the second end of the rod having a second aperture;
- (b) a first clip cast in the concrete panel and having a first notch for receiving said first connection assembly at a connection point that is generally fixed;
- (c) a second clip attachable to a tensile member extending from a mechanically stabilized earth mass having a second notch for receiving the second connector assembly;
- and
- (d) first and second rod members positionable respectively through the first and second clips and simultaneously said first and second apertures to retain the first and second connection, said first and second notches sized to permit the first and second connection assemblies respectively to freely rotate.
An adjustable connector for attachment of spaced wall panels comprising, in combination:
- (a) an elongate rod;
- (b) a first universal joint mechanism attached to one end of the rod;
- (c) a second universal joint mechanism attached to an opposite end of the rod;
- (d) a first connection adjustment mechanism forming a first attachment connection between the first universal joint mechanism and the rod and capable of adjusting an attachment point;
- (e) a second connection adjustment mechanism forming a second attachment connection between the second universal joint mechanism and the rod and capable of adjusting a second attachment point;
- and
- (f) a means for attaching the first and second universal joint mechanisms respectively to spaced wall panels at generally fixed connection points whereby the connector is adjustable to a minimal connection pathway between the spaced wall panels, wherein at least one of the first and second universal joint mechanisms comprise a slotted clip with a notch for receipt of the connection adjustment mechanism.
An adjustable connector construction for attachment of spaced wall panels each panel having a connection point that is generally fixed;
- said construction comprising in combination:
- (a) a turnbuckle assembly including an elongate rod having threads at the opposite ends thereof;
- (b) a first turnbuckle bracket threaded on the elongate rod at the one end, the turnbuckle bracket including an elongate loop longitudinally extending from the first end;
- (c) a first linkage;
- (d) a first pin, joining the first turnbuckle bracket loop at the one end by extending through the loop and the first linkage, said first linkage fixably attachable to a wall panel;
- (e) a second turnbuckle bracket threaded to the opposite end of the rod, the second turnbuckle bracket including an elongate loop longitudinally extending from the opposite end;
- (f) a second linkage;
- and
- (g) a second pin, joining the second turnbuckle bracket loop at the opposite end to the second linkage by extending through the loop and the second linkage, said second linkage fixedly attachable to a wire mesh facing of a mechanically stabilized earth mass, said first linkage and said second linkage being orientated with respect to each other to provide three degrees of freedom of movement of the elongate rod, and said rod being extensible to alter the longitudinal spacing of said turnbuckle brackets, at least one of said first and second linkage comprising a slotted clip with a notch for receipt of a turnbuckle bracket loop and a pin fitted simultaneously through said clip and turnbuckle bracket loop.
An adjustable connector construction for connection of spaced wall members at generally fixed connection points, said connection comprising, in combination:
- (a) an elongate threaded rod member having a first and a second end;
- (b) a first bracket including a threaded bracket socket and a longitudinal loop extending from the socket, the first bracket socket threadably attached to the first end of the rod with the loop extending longitudinally from the first end;
- (c) a first linkage member comprising a first clip having an end notch for receiving the loop of the first bracket;
- (d) a first pin extending through the first linkage member thereby connecting the loop of the first bracket to form a universal joint connection;
- (e) a second bracket including a threaded socket and a longitudinal loop extending from the socket, the second bracket socket threadably attached to the second end of the rod with the loop extending longitudinally from the second end;
- (f) a second linkage member comprising a second clip having an end notch for receipt of the loop of the second bracket;
- (g) a second pin extending through the second linkage member connecting the loop of the second bracket to form a universal joint connection, whereby each linkage is attachable to fixed points of a separate spaced wall member and the connector is adjustable to provide a straight line connection therebetween.
An array of connector assemblies comprised of a plurality of connectors where the ends are pivotally connected at fixed spaced pivot points to accommodate misalignment of the connection points, said connectors forming angled rather than straight connections which in combination define a three-dimensional space truss that resists wall movement horizontally, vertically, as well as inward or outward from the face of the mechanically stabilized earth mass, where the ends of each connector define a first array at the wire mesh panels, said arrays not being congruent, said connectors including at least one slotted clip with a notch connected to a loop positioned in said notch and retained by a pin fitted simultaneously through the clip and loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.