Limited access building connection

• US 7,296,501 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• 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): Hail, III; Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCRUGGS, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US11/521,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20070006691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 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 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;

d. nut rotational means for imparting rotational motion to said nut;

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

f. an initially spirally wound flexible strap member having an elongated planar surface which unwinds to a linear power means dimensioned and configured to work within said dimensional limited access parameters and adapted for engaging and imparting rotational energy to said nut rotational means; and

g. holding means holding said strap member in an initial flat plane and retaining said unwound portion of said strap in said plane during unwinding from said spiral.

h. said nut rotational means and said linear power means are combined in an integral spiral hand pull device including;

(1) a modified cap member formed with an inner ring wall forming an opening therethrough for coaxial movement along the axis of said anchor member and formed with a base section having an annular outer wall and having a plurality of segments forming a hexagonal inner wall configured and dimensioned to inter fit with said outer wall of said internally threaded nut and a head section having an integrally formed inner ring wall and an integrally formed outer ring wall and a flange extending from said outer ring wall and terminating with a planar annular outer wall surface coaxially aligned with said planar surface of said flexible strap member; and

i. said spirally wound flexible elongated strap member is attached to said integrally formed flange at said outer wall annular surface at one end and to a handle at its other end.

2. A limited access building connection as defined in claim 1 comprising:

a. said holding means of said spiral hand pull device includes;

(1) at least one rigid spoke connected to said flange and releasably attached at multiple points to said spirally wound flexible elongated strap member for successive breakaway release from each unwinding turn as said elongated strap member is unwound.

3. A limited access building connection for connecting a holding structure and a held structure 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;

d. nut rotational means for imparting rotational motion to said nut;

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

f. linear power means dimensioned and configured to work within said dimensional limited access parameters and adapted for engaging and imparting rotational energy to said nut rotational means;

g. said nut rotational means and said linear power means are combined in an integral spiral hand pull device including;

(1) a modified cap member formed with ring wall forming an opening therethrough for coaxial movement along axis of said anchor member and formed with a base section having an annular outer wall and having a plurality of segments forming a hexagonal inner wall configured and dimensioned to inter fit with said outer wall of said internally threaded nut and a head section having an integrally formed inner ring wall and an integrally formed outer ring wall;

h. a spirally wound flexible elongated member attached to said integrally formed outer ring wall and to a handle;

i. said spiral hand pull device includes at least one spoke releasably attached to said spirally wound flexible elongated member and to said integrally formed outer ring wall and holding said spirally wound flexible elongated member in an initially flat plane; and

j. at least one spoke finger releasably attached to a face wall of the outermost spiral of said spirally wound flexible elongated member and to at least one spoke.