Limited access building connection

• US 7,168,343 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Leek, William F., Powell, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Leed D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCRUGGS, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US11/075,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20060201285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 811/211, 811/761, 814/88, 52704-711, 521/699, 522/33
• US Class Current: 81/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/481 for operating in areas having limited access
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 17/00 Hand-driven gear-operated wrenches or screwdrivers ratchet-operated B25B13/46 B25B13/467, B25B15/04; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/005
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/2604 Connections specially adapted therefor shear dowels E04B1/486, E04B1/49
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2684 with metal connectors
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2688 self adjusting, e.g. for compensation of shrinkage
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3583 using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/02 Shape of thread; Special thread-forms F16B25/00 takes precedence; used to remove paint or dirt layers F16B35/007, F16B37/002; used as screw-locking device F16B39/30

Abstract

A limited access building connection for connecting a holding structure and a held structure which includes an anchor member having a threaded end adapted for connection to holding structure. A nut having an inner threaded wall threadably engages the threaded end of anchor member. Nut has a base which engages connector structure. Connector structure is adapted for connection to held structure. A nut rotational member is provided for imparting rotational motion to nut. Connection has dimensional limited access parameters existent between nut and connector structure and held structure. A linear power member is dimensioned and configured to work within the dimensional limited access parameters and is adapted for engaging and imparting rotational energy to nut rotational member.

Claims

1. A limited access building connection for connecting a holding structure and a held structure having a base comprising:

a. an anchor member adapted for connection to said holding structure and having a threaded end;

b. a nut having an inner threaded wall for threadably engaging said threaded end of said anchor member and having a base;

c. connector means adapted for engaging said base of said nut and adapted for connection to said held structure, including a washer member having an outer wall and formed with a recess having a recess wall and a recess base for registration with said base of said nut;

d. nut rotational means adapted for connection on the perimeter of said nut for imparting rotational motion to said nut and including a ring of externally formed rotational driven members formed to create ratchet teeth for one way rotation of said nut and the distance between the outermost lateral dimension of said ratchet teeth and said recess wall of said washer member is a distance only slightly greater than the width of said linear power means;

e. dimensional limited access parameters existent between said nut and said connector means and said held structure;

f. multiple pull linear power means dimensioned and configured to work within said dimensional limited access parameters and including a plurality of driving means for engaging said rotational driven members for imparting rotational motion to said nut;

g. said washer member is formed and dimensioned to receive said nut and said nut rotational means within said washer recess , said recess is formed with an opening in its upper end which is substantially covered by said base of said held structure preventing removal of said nut rotational means, said washer member is formed with a narrow lateral tunnel formed and dimensioned to receive said linear power means only therethrough and communicating between said outer wall and said recess wall providing the sole, direct sightline access of said linear power means to said rotational driven members and permitting engagement of said linear power means with said nut rotational means;

h. said multiple pull linear power means is an elongated pull member having a generally straight portion made from plastic;

i. said multiple pull linear power means is an elongated member made from a spring memory material which has sufficient longitudinal stiffness to be extended through said narrow lateral tunnel and into said recess, but having sufficient flexibility to be deflected and extended past said rotational driven members;

j. said multiple pull linear power means having sufficient spring memory to cause said elongated member to spring back to a generally straight portion wherein said driving means engage said rotational driven members for imparting one way rotational motion to said nut upon pulling said linear power means;

k. the length and width of said tunnel and the width of said elongated pull member are such that said pull member cannot be inserted beyond said ratchet teeth without bending of said multiple pull member; and

l. said linear power means, said nut rotation means, and said dimensional access parameters are dimensioned and configured to permit said linear power means to be extended through said tunnel and pulled multiple times to effect one way rotation of said nut rotational means.