Connector seal for an anchor and a corrosion-protection tube of a post-tension system

• US 5,788,398 A
• Filed: 07/09/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Felix L. Sorkin
• Original Assignee: Felix L. Sorkin
• Inventors: Sorkin, Felix L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEV, BRUCE ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/677,076
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 403/50, 403/51, 403/288, 403/300, 403/305, 285/138, 285/177, 52/223.13
• US Class Current: 403/300
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/12 Anchoring devices tools or methods for tensioning in situ E04G21/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/60 Coupler sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/57 Distinct end coupler
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5733 Plural opposed sockets

Abstract

A connector for joining a corrosion-protection tube to an anchor of a tendon of a post-tension system including a body formed of an elastomeric material and a seal formed interior of the body. The body has a first receptacle formed at one end thereof for attachment to an end of the anchor. The body has a second receptacle formed at an opposite end thereof for attachment to an end of the corrosion-protection tube. The seal is positioned between the first receptacle and the second receptacle so as to form a liquid-tight seal with a surface of the tendon passing therethrough. The first receptacle is an orifice that has a diameter suitable for liquid-tight engagement with an end of the anchor. The second receptacle is an opening formed in the opposite end of the body and has a diameter suitable for liquid-tight engagement with an exterior surface of the corrosion-protection tube. The orifice and the opening are coaxial. The seal is a membrane which extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the body. The membrane has a central area with a diameter less than an outer diameter of the tendon. The central area is a hole formed in the membrane.

Claims

1. A post-tension system comprising:

an anchor having a tubular portion extending outwardly therefrom;

a corrosion-protection tube;

a tendon extending through said corrosion-protection tube and through said tubular portion of said anchor; and

a connector having a first receptacle formed in one end and a second receptacle formed in an opposite end, said first receptacle receiving said tubular portion therein, said second receptacle receiving said corrosion-protection tube therein, said tendon extending through an interior of said connector, said connector further comprising;

a sealing means formed in said interior of said connector, said sealing means for forming a generally liquid-tight seal with a surface of the tendon, said sealing means comprising a membrane formed in said connector and extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of said connector, said membrane having a central area through which said tendon passes.

2. The system of claim 1, said membrane and said first and second receptacles being integrally formed of an elastomeric material.

3. The system of claim 1, said membrane being interposed between an end of said corrosion-protection tube and an end of said tubular portion of said anchor.

4. The system of claim 1, said first receptacle being affixed in liquid-tight relationship onto said tubular portion, said second receptacle being affixed in liquid-tight relationship onto said corrosion-protection tube.

5. The system of claim 1, said corrosion-protection tube having a smaller diameter than said tubular portion of said anchor.

6. The system of claim 5, said corrosion-protection tube having a corrosion-inhibitor material filling an area between an exterior of said tendon and an interior of said corrosion-protection tube.

7. The system of claim 1, said corrosion-protection tube having a sealing means affixed to an end opposite said connector, said sealing means for forming a generally liquid-tight seal with an exterior surface of the tendon.

8. The system of claim 7, said corrosion-protection tube having a corrosion-inhibitor fluid surrounding said tendon, said sealing means and said connector for retaining said corrosion-inhibitor fluid within said corrosion-protection tube.

9. A post-tension system comprising:

an anchor having a tubular portion extending outwardly therefrom;

a corrosion-protection tube;

a tendon extending through said corrosion-protection tube and through said tubular portion of said anchor;

a connector having a first receptacle formed in one end and a second receptacle formed in an opposite end, said first receptacle receiving said tubular portion therein, said second receptacle receiving said corrosion-protection tube therein, said tendon extending through an interior of said connector, said first receptacle being slidably received on said tubular portion of said anchor, said second receptacle being slidably received onto said corrosion-protection tube; and

a membrane formed in said connector and extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of said connector, said membrane having a central area through which said tendon passes, said membrane being interposed between an end of said corrosion-protection tube and an end of said tubular portion of said anchor.