Concrete block-out-grout tube with drain

Abstract

An elongated cylindrical tube with reinforcing ribs that can be placed within a pre-cast concrete wall section for use in joining with other wall sections having a drain preformed into the bottom of the grout tube with a nipple-like attachment positioned within the drain opening of the grout tube. The nipple-like attachment has circumferential pyramidal ridges for connecting to and retaining a water release tube allowing for the egress of any water, moisture or debris that may have collected within the grout tube to prevent deterioration or cracking of the concrete from the expansion of water freezing within the wall section or from retained debris weakening the wall connection joint.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to connection devices for joining together pre-cast concrete members such as panels or columns stacked one on top of the other to form building walls. The connection devices employ an elongated cylindrical grout tube with reinforcing ribs cast into the top of a lower concrete member with a opening in the bottom for draining collected water and debris and a tube attached to the lower end of the grout tube for carrying the water and debris out of the concrete member. The elongated cylindrical grout tube has reinforcing ribs to retain the tube in position in the pre-cast concrete member and to provide added strength to the grout as it hardens to provide strength to the formed concrete wall. The lower end of the grout tube has an integrated nipple-type attachment means, which is preformed into the grout tube, to which a hollow tube is attached that extends outward to a surface of the pre-cast concrete wall member.[...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention comprises an elongated cylindrical tube with reinforcing ribs that retain the grout tube in position within the pre-cast concrete wall member and act to retain and hold the grout-like hardening substance within the tube to add strength to the constructed wall. The bottom end of the cylindrical tube has a nipple-type attachment means, which may be preformed into the grout tube for connecting the cylindrical grout tube to a water release tube or drain line. The nipple has circumferential flange ridges that make for a tighter seal to the drain line or tube and keep out moisture and debris from the connection to the water release tube, allowing for the egress of any water or moisture that may exist within the wall-grout tube.

Problems solved by technology

The tape and plug seals used to close the tube sections can be ineffective in extreme environmental changes and frequently allow water, moisture and dirt to collect in the tubes prior to the erection of the panels.

If the water retained in the tube freezes, there is a risk the resultant expansion will crack and ruin the panel.

Any debris collected within the tube will degrade the quality of the connection formed by the mortar when the panels are erected.

While this device provides for the dimensional variants of the rod and receiving tube, creating the required structural strength, it does not completely prevent the entry of water, moisture or debris that can collect at the bottom of the grout tube and cause cracking or gaps in the grout holding the rod in a fixed position resulting in a potential failure of the wall integrity.

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