Ratcheting take-up device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A take-up device (1) in a connection, the take-up device comprising:
- a. a housing (26) with an outer bore (27) the outer bore (27) having a lower inward-curved portion (43) that is frusto-spherical;
b. a plurality of insert segments (2) primarily disposed in the outer bore (27) and primarily contained securely within the housing (26), each of which has an outer bore-interfacing surface (17) that interfaces with the inward-curved portion (43) of the outer bore (27) of the housing (26), wherein;
i. the outer bore-interfacing surfaces (17) of the plurality of insert segments (2) collectively form a segmented frusto-spherical surface where the outer bore-interfacing surfaces (17) interface with the outer bore (27);
ii. each insert segment (2) has a concave inner bore-defining surface (14) and the plurality of concave inner bore-defining surfaces (14) form a generally tubular inner bore (16);
c. wherein the take-up device is fastened to a first structural member (115); and
d. a tie rod (24) is at least partially held within the inner bore (16) of the take-up device (1) by a plurality of the insert segments (2), the tie rod (24) having a top end (124) that can pass through the housing (26).
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A ratcheting take-up device that compensates for imperfect alignment in a tie rod continuity system in the frame of a building wall. The upper ends of the tie rods are tightly clamped within the take-up device by domed segments inserted in a bowl-shaped housing. The segments are also forced together by a compression member in the housing. The domed shape of the segments and the bowl shape of the housing cooperate so that the segments can rotate in any direction to accommodate tie rods that are not perfectly vertical, without a corresponding loss of strength in the connection.
273 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A take-up device (1) in a connection, the take-up device comprising:
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a. a housing (26) with an outer bore (27) the outer bore (27) having a lower inward-curved portion (43) that is frusto-spherical; b. a plurality of insert segments (2) primarily disposed in the outer bore (27) and primarily contained securely within the housing (26), each of which has an outer bore-interfacing surface (17) that interfaces with the inward-curved portion (43) of the outer bore (27) of the housing (26), wherein; i. the outer bore-interfacing surfaces (17) of the plurality of insert segments (2) collectively form a segmented frusto-spherical surface where the outer bore-interfacing surfaces (17) interface with the outer bore (27); ii. each insert segment (2) has a concave inner bore-defining surface (14) and the plurality of concave inner bore-defining surfaces (14) form a generally tubular inner bore (16); c. wherein the take-up device is fastened to a first structural member (115); and d. a tie rod (24) is at least partially held within the inner bore (16) of the take-up device (1) by a plurality of the insert segments (2), the tie rod (24) having a top end (124) that can pass through the housing (26). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A take-up device (1) in a connection, the take-up device comprising:
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a. a housing (26) with an outer bore (27) the outer bore (27) having a lower inward-curved portion (43) that is frusto-spherical; b. a plurality of insert segments (2) primarily disposed in the outer bore (27) and primarily contained securely within the housing (26), each of which has an outer bore-interfacing surface (17) that interfaces with the inward-curved portion (43) of the outer bore (27) of the housing (26), wherein; i. the outer bore-interfacing surfaces (17) of the plurality of insert segments (2) collectively form a segmented frusto-spherical surface that interfaces with at least a portion of the lower inward-curved portion (43) of the outer bore (27) of the housing (26); ii. each insert segment (2) has a concave inner bore-defining surface (14) and the plurality of concave inner bore-defining surfaces (14) form a generally tubular inner bore (16); c. wherein the take-up device is fastened to a first structural member (115); and d. a tie rod (24) is at least partially held within the inner bore (16) of the take-up device (1) by a plurality of the insert segments (2), the tie rod (24) having a top end (124) that can pass through the housing (26). - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification