Direct tension indicator for embedded anchor members

• US 6,135,687 A
• Filed: 07/02/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Luthy, M. Joe, Leek, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, NEILL R
• Application Number:
  US09/347,247
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 411/3, 411/5, 411/9, 411/10, 411/11, 411/14, 411/82
• US Class Current: 411/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/028 with a load-indicating washer or washer assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/243 using washers

Abstract

A device used to indicate whether a predetermined compressive load has been applied to the device. The device is formed to receive an anchor member upon which a tensioning force is to be applied in conjunction with loading the device. The device itself has an upper press that has an aperture formed to receive the anchor member and also has means for manipulating a washer. The device also has a lower die with an aperture formed to receive the anchor member. The lower die is formed so as to be able to work in conjunction with the upper press when the upper press and lower die are aligned and moved towards each other. The lower die also has means for manipulating the washer. The means for manipulating the washer are also formed to cooperate with the means for manipulating the washer on the upper press. The device also has a washer that lies between the upper press and the lower die. The washer is formed so that when the washer is acted upon by the means for manipulating the washer of the upper press and the lower die it will indicate visually whether a selected compression load has been applied to the washer.

Claims

1. A device for indicating attainment of a predetermined compressive load applied to said device, said device being formed to receive an anchor member upon which a tensioning force is to be applied in conjunction with loading said device, said device comprising:

a. an upper press, having an aperture formed to receive said anchor member and also having means for manipulating a washer;

b. a lower die, having an aperture formed to receive said anchor member, said lower die formed so as to be able to work in conjunction with said upper press when said upper press and lower die are aligned and moved towards each other, said lower die also having means for manipulating said washer, said means for manipulating said washer being formed to cooperate with said means for manipulating said washer on said upper press; and

c. said washer lying between said upper press and said lower die, said washer being formed so that when said washer is acted upon by said means for manipulating said washer of said upper press and said lower die it will indicate visually whether a selected compression load has been applied to said washer, said washer member also having one or more inner portions that are formed so that when said washer is acted upon by said means for manipulating said washer, said one or more inner portions can extend inwardly toward said anchor member and can be pressed into said anchor member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a. said means for manipulating said washer on said upper die comprises a shearing formation and a bearing surface lying inwardly of said shearing formation;

b. said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die comprises a shearing formation formed to cooperate with said shearing formation of said upper press, and a bearing surface formed to cooperate with said bearing surface of said upper press; and

c. said washer being formed with an outer portion that can be broken between said shearing formations of said upper press and said lower die, said washer also having one or more projecting portions that extend inwardly from said outer portion toward said anchor member received by said lower die, said one or more projecting portions also extending at an angle less than ninety degrees to said long axis of said anchor member for a portion of their length, said inwardly and angularly extending one or more projecting portions of said washer being formed to be pressed into said anchor member by said cooperating bearing surfaces of said upper press and said lower die.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising an alignment member for aligning said upper press and said lower die.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a. said means for manipulating said washer on said upper die comprises a bearing surface and a compression ridge on said bearing surface; and

b. said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die comprises a compression ridge on a bearing surface formed to cooperate with said compression ridge of said upper press and said bearing surface formed to cooperate with said bearing surface of said upper press.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die further comprises an outer rim rising upwardly from said bearing surface, said outer rim having a side wall against which said washer member can push.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said means for manipulating said washer on said upper die further comprises an outer rim depending from said bearing surface, said outer rim having a side wall against which said washer member can push.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a. said means for manipulating said washer on said upper die comprises a shearing formation and a bearing surface with a compression ridge, said bearing surface lying inwardly of said shearing formation; and

b. said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die comprises a shearing formation formed to cooperate with said shearing formation of said upper press, and a bearing surface, having a compression ridge formed to cooperate with said bearing surface of said upper press.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising an alignment member for aligning said upper press and said lower die.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a. said means for manipulating said washer on said upper press comprises a bending recess with a bearing surface;

b. said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die comprises a bearing surface formed to cooperate with and nest within said bearing recess of said upper press; and

c. said washer being formed with an outer portion that is bent around said lower die by said bending recess, said washer also having one or more projecting portions that extend inwardly from said outer portion toward said anchor member received by said lower die, said one or more projecting portions also extending at an angle less than ninety degrees to said long axis of said anchor member for a portion of their length, said inwardly and angularly extending one or more projecting portions of said washer being formed to be pressed into said anchor member by said cooperating bearing surfaces of said upper press and said lower die.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a. said means for manipulating said washer on said lower die comprises a bending recess with a bearing surface;

b. said means for manipulating said washer on said upper press comprises a bearing surface formed to cooperate with and nest within said bearing recess of said lower die; and

c. said washer being formed with an outer portion that is bent around said upper press by said bending recess, said washer also having one or more projecting portions that extend inwardly from said outer portion toward said anchor member received by said lower die, said one or more projecting portions also extending at an angle less than ninety degrees to said long axis of said anchor member for a portion of their length, said inwardly and angularly extending one or more projecting portions of said washer being formed to be pressed into said anchor member by said cooperating bearing surfaces of said upper press and said lower die.

11. A device for indicating attainment of a predetermined compressive load applied to said device, said device being formed to receive an anchor member upon which a tensioning force is to be applied in conjunction with loading said device, said anchor member having a long axis and an outer surface, said device comprising:

a. an upper press, having an aperture formed to receive said anchor member, said upper press also having a shearing formation and a bearing surface lying inwardly of said shearing formation;

b. a lower die, having an aperture formed to receive said anchor member, said lower die formed so as to be able to nest with said upper press when said upper press and lower die are aligned and moved towards each other, said lower die also having a shearing formation formed to cooperate with said shearing formation of said upper press, and a bearing surface formed to cooperate with said bearing surface of said upper press; and

c. a washer lying between said upper press and said lower die, said washer being formed so as to have an outer portion that can be broken between said shearing formations of said upper press and said lower die, said washer also having one or more projecting portions that extend inwardly from said outer portion toward said anchor member received by said lower die, said one or more projecting portions also extending at an angle less than ninety degrees to said long axis of said anchor member for a portion of their length, said inwardly and angularly extending one or more projecting portions of said washer being formed to be pressed into said anchor member by said cooperating bearing surfaces of said upper press and said lower die.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein one or more weakening notches are formed in one or more of said inwardly projecting portions of said washer.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein one or more weakening openings are formed in one or more of said inwardly projecting portions of said washer.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein end flanges are formed in the inwardly projecting portions of the washer, said end flanges lying substantially perpendicular to said long axis of said anchor member.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein weakening notches are formed in the outer portion of the washer, said weakening notches extending from the inward side of said outer portion to a point where said shearing formations will break said washer.

16. The device of claim 11, further comprising an alignment member for aligning said upper press and said lower die.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein said washers is received in an upper recess in said lower die before it is broken.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said lower die is formed with a scallop for accommodating epoxy or other materials joined to said anchor member.

19. The device of claim 11, further comprising a bearing plate.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said bearing plate is formed as a u-shaped member.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein said anchor member is connected to a cementitious member, and a wood member is disposed between said cementitious member and said bearing plate.

22. An apparatus for applying a tension load to an anchor member connected to a steel member, said apparatus comprising:

a. said anchor member having threads;

b. said steel member being adhesively bonded to said anchor member;

c. a lower die, having an aperture receiving said anchor member, said lower die also having a shearing formation;

d. an upper press, having an aperture receiving said anchor member, said upper press formed so as to be able to nest with said lower die when said upper press and said lower die are aligned and moved towards each other, said upper press also having a shearing formation formed to cooperate with said shearing formation of said lower die;

e. a washer lying between said upper press and said lower die also receiving said anchor member, said washer being formed so as to have portions that can be broken between said shearing formations of said upper press and said lower die; and

f. a nut attached to said threads of said anchor member.

23. An apparatus for applying a tension load to an anchor member held in a cementitious member by means of an adhesive member, said apparatus comprising:

a. said anchor member having threads;

b. said cementitious member receiving said anchor member in a blind opening in said cementitious member;

c. said adhesive member joining said anchor member to said cementitious member;

d. a lower die, having an aperture receiving said anchor member, said lower die also having a shearing formation;

e. an upper press, having an aperture receiving said anchor member, said upper press formed so as to be able to nest with said lower die when said upper press and lower die are aligned and moved towards each other, said upper press also having a shearing formation formed to cooperate with said shearing formation of said lower die;

f. a washer lying between said upper press and said lower die also receiving said anchor member, said washer being formed so as to have portions that can be broken between said shearing formations of said upper press and said lower die; and

g. a nut attached to said threads of said anchor member.

24. A method of applying a tension load to a held anchor member to test said held anchor and then removing said tension load, said method comprising:

a. slipping a lower die over said anchor member so that said lower die bears upon an unyielding bearing surface;

b. slipping a washer over said anchor member and inserting said washer onto said lower die;

c. slipping an upper press over said anchor member and onto said washer;

d. tightening a nut onto said anchor member until said washer member is deformed in a manner such that it provides a visual indication that a given load has been applied to said washer and said washer has been pressed into said anchor member;

e. removing said nut from said anchor member so that the compressive force is removed from said lower die, said washer and said upper press.