Sealant spreader device for use in preparing holes for glue-in rod construction and method of sealing - Patents.com

Abstract

The sealant spreader device fills the voids around the drilled hole with sealant in a glue-in rod (GIR) configuration. Liquid sealant may be applied to the base of the drilled hole. The sealant spreader device is then inserted through the sealant and into the base of the drilled hole. The sealant spreader device is then withdrawn while rotating. The sealant spreader device includes a contoured wing section that forces the sealant radially outward toward the hole wall into the voids around the inner surface of the drilled hole, leaving a thin layer of sealant on the inner surface of the drilled hole.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] PRIORITY This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 961,018, filed October 6, 2022, entitled "SEALANT SPREADER DEVICE FOR USE IN PREPARING HOLES FOR GLUED-IN-ROD STRUCTURES," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] A glued-in rod (GIR) system is known as a system in which a rod is glued into a hole drilled in the wood. The wood can be solid lumber or engineered wood products, such as structural composite lumber (SCL) or cross-laminated timber (CLT). In GIR, when adhesive is injected into the drilled hole to embed the rod, the adhesive leaks into the voids in the wood surrounding the drilled hole. This leakage results in insufficient adhesive at the interface between the wood and the rod to form a secure bond. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a cross section of wood, such as a cross-laminated lumber board, including rods glued together in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique;

[0004] [Figure 2] 1 is an enlarged front cross-sectional view of a cross section of wood, such as a cross-laminated lumber board, including rods glued together in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique;

[0005] [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a front view of a sealant spreader assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

[0006] [Figure 4] 4 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 3. [Figure 5]4 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0007] [Figure 6] 11A-11C illustrate a sealant spreader being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 7] 11A-11C illustrate a sealant spreader being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 8] 11A-11C illustrate a sealant spreader being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

[0008] [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sealant spreader assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present technology;

[0009] [Figure 10] 10 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0010] [Figure 12] 10 is an exploded perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0011] [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0012] [Figure 14] 10 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 9 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 15] 10 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 9 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 16] 10 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 9 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

[0013] [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sealant spreader assembly in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present technology;

[0014] [Figure 18] 18 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 18 is a different perspective view of the sealant spreader device according to the embodiment of FIG. 17.

[0015] [Figure 20] 18 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 17 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 21] 18 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 17 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 22] 18 illustrates the sealant spreader of FIG. 17 being inserted into and removed from a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present technology generally relates to a sealant spreader device for filling voids around drilled holes in glued-in rod (GIR) structures. Wood structures, such as natural wood and engineered wood products, may have voids in the wood. In natural wood, the voids may exist within the grain. In engineered wood products, such as cross-laminated timber, the voids may exist within the grain and / or where the wood pieces are glued together. According to the present technology, before gluing a rod into a drilled hole, a sealant may be applied to the hole and forced into the voids around the inner periphery of the hole using the sealant spreader device of the present technology. The sealant spreader device of the present technology may be attached to or include a rod. The sealant spreader device may be affixed to one end of the rod, and the opposite end of the rod may be fitted into a drill to rotate the rod and sealant spreader device.

[0017] In operation, liquid sealant is applied to the base of a drilled hole. The amount of sealant depends on the depth and diameter of the drilled hole. A rod-mounted sealant spreader device (commonly abbreviated herein as SSD) is then inserted through the sealant to the base of the drilled hole. The SSD is then rotated and withdrawn. The sealant spreader device includes a contoured wing section that pushes the sealant radially outward toward the hole wall, forcing the sealant into voids around the inner surface of the drilled hole and leaving a thin layer of sealant on the inner surface of the drilled hole.

[0018] It is understood that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of these embodiments, which are included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details.

[0019] The terms "top" and "bottom," "upper" and "lower," and "vertical" and "horizontal" that may be used herein are for purposes of illustration and explanation and are not meant to limit the description of the present invention, insofar as the referenced items are interchangeable in location and orientation. Also, as used herein, the terms "substantially" and / or "about" mean that a given dimension or parameter may vary within an acceptable manufacturing tolerance for a given application. In one embodiment, the acceptable manufacturing tolerance is ±2.5%.

[0020] For purposes of this disclosure, a connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection (e.g., a connection through one or more other components). In some cases, when a first element is referred to as being connected, affixed, attached, or coupled to a second element, the first element and the second element may be directly connected, affixed, attached, or coupled to one another, or indirectly connected, affixed, attached, or coupled to one another. When a first element is referred to as being directly connected, affixed, attached, or coupled to a second element, there are no intervening elements between the first and second elements (other than, as the case may be, an adhesive or molten metal used to connect, affix, attach, or couple the first and second elements).

[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional front view of a GIR structure 100 is shown, comprised of wood 102 with rods 104 glued into drilled holes 106 using adhesive 108. In the following embodiments, the wood shown is cross-laminated timber (CLT). However, it is understood that embodiments of a sealant spreader device for filling voids in a GIR structure may be used with any type of wood or lumber. In the illustrated embodiment, the wood 102 may be CLT, including layers of planks 102a glued together and extending in a first direction (left to right in FIG. 1 ) and layers of planks 102b glued together and extending in a second direction (down the page in FIG. 1 ). Multiple layers 102a, 102b may be intermixed. The number of layers, the orientation of each layer, the thickness of each layer, and the number of planks in each layer are shown for illustrative purposes only and may each vary in further embodiments. The number of rods 104 is also shown for illustrative purposes and may vary in further embodiments.

[0022] As mentioned in the background section, before inserting the rod 104 into the drilled hole 106, the hole is prepared with a sealant to fill any voids in the drilled hole. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the GIR structure 100 showing a portion of a ply 102a sandwiched between portions of a pair of plies 102b. The drilled hole 106 is shown passing through multiple layers of wood 102, and is open to several voids 110 around the edges of the drilled hole 106. These voids 110 may occur naturally in the plies 102a, 102b and / or may occur when the boards within a layer are not fully bonded directly to one another. The number, type, and appearance of the voids 110 are shown by way of example and will vary in different embodiments.

[0023] 3 through 8 illustrate a first embodiment of a sealant spreader assembly 114 for preparing the drilled hole 106 with a layer of sealant. As seen in FIG. 3, the sealant spreader assembly 114 includes a sealant spreader device 116 attached to a first end of a rod 118. A device such as a drill (not shown) may be removably attached to a second end of the rod 118 to rotate the SSD 116 and rod 118. Instead of a drill, a key, crank, or other tool may be fitted to the second end of the rod 118 to enable manual rotation of the SSD 116 and rod 118.

[0024] As seen in FIGS. 3-5 , the SSD 116 may have a cylindrical base portion 120, a top portion 122 including a central opening 124 for receiving the rod 118, and a pair of wing-like sections 126. Each wing-like section 126 may extend 180° around the central axis of the top portion 122. The radius of each wing-like section 126 begins at a minimum radius of 0° and increases to a maximum radius of 180°, which matches the radius of the base portion 120. The maximum radius portion of the first wing-like section 126 meets the minimum radius portion of the second wing-like section 126 at a surface 128. The area above the base portion 120 adjacent to the surface 128 and the minimum radius portions of the wing-like sections 126 defines a reservoir 130 for storing a sealant, as described below.

[0025] The base portion 120 may be integrally formed with the top portion 122, for example, in an additive manufacturing process. In further embodiments, the base portion 120 may be separate from and affixed to the top portion 122, or the sealant spreader device 116 may be fabricated by other methods. The base portion 120 and the top portion 122 may be formed of a rigid material, for example, a plastic or other polymer. In further embodiments, the base portion 120 and / or the top portion 122 may be formed of a flexible or pliable material, for example, a rubber.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a drilled hole 106 in a piece of wood 102. A void 110 is shown connecting the edge of the drilled hole 106. Again, the illustrated void 110 is exemplary and will vary in further embodiments. A sealant 134 is first applied to the base or bottom 106a of the drilled hole 106 to fill the void 110 in preparation for receiving the glued rod 104 (FIG. 1). The sealant 134 may be any of a variety of viscous fluids or pastes, such as, for example, CI-GV adhesive from Simpson-Strong-Tie Corporation, headquartered in Pleasanton, California. The sealant 134 may be applied to the base 106a of the hole 106, for example, by injection through a tube (not shown) extending from outside the hole 106 to the base 106a of the hole 106. The amount of sealant 134 applied to the base 106a depends on the depth and diameter of the hole 106. In an embodiment, the amount of sealant 134 used is sufficient to seal any voids open to the hole 106 and leave a thin layer of sealant along the entire cylindrical surface of the hole 106 .

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6 , once the sealant 134 has entered the base 106a of the hole 106, the SSD 116 may be inserted into the hole 106. The SSD 116 may be customized to fit the hole 106. In particular, the diameter of the base portion 120 plus the maximum diameter of the wing-like section 126 may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole 106. In embodiments, the diameter of the base portion 120 at the maximum diameter of the wing-like section 126 may be 1 / 8 to 1 / 16 inch smaller than the diameter of the hole 106, although the difference between the diameter of the hole 106 and the diameter of the SSD may be smaller or larger than that range in further embodiments.

[0028] 7, the SSD 116 is pressed down into the base 106a of the hole 106. The base section 120 of the SSD 116 may include an axial channel 136 that allows the base section 120 to be pressed down through a sealant 134, which moves up the base section 120 through the channel 136 and around the outer diameter of the base section 120. As the SSD 116 pushes through the sealant 134, the sealant 134 is stored in the top section 122 of the SSD 116 and (optionally) in a reservoir 130 in the space above the SSD 116.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 8 , the SSD 116 may then be rotated while being pulled upward toward the mouth of the hole 106. As it rotates, the variable radius wing section 126 extrudes sealant from the reservoir 130 outward against the edges of the hole 106 and into any voids 110, leaving a thin layer 134 of sealant along the entire cylindrical surface of the hole 106. After making a single pass of the SSD 116 from the base 106 a of the hole 106 to the opposite open end of the hole 106, the void 110 may be sealed and a thin layer of sealant 134 may be applied along the surface of the hole 106. In further embodiments, the void 110 may be sealed with a thin layer of sealant 106 applied along the surface of the hole 106 after multiple passes of the SSD along the length of the hole 106.

[0030] The SSD 116 and sealant 134 may form an airtight seal that prevents air from flowing back into the holes 106 below the SSD 116 when the SSD 116 is pulled upward. As a result, a vacuum may form below the SSD 116 when the SSD 116 is pulled upward. This vacuum can disadvantageously cause the sealant 134 to be drawn into the vacuum and seep through the channels 136 and / or around the perimeter of the base section 120 of the SSD 116.

[0031] This problem (and others) are addressed by further embodiments of the present technology, one example of which will now be described with reference to Figures 9 through 16. Referring initially to Figures 9 through 13, there is shown a sealant spreader assembly 140 including a sealant spreader device 142 attached to a first end of a rod 144. As above, a device such as a drill or hand tool (not shown) may be removably attached to a second end of the rod 144 for rotating the SSD 142 and rod 144.

[0032] The sealant spreader device 142 of this embodiment includes a base portion 146 and a top portion 148. The base portion 146 includes relief slots 150, the purpose of which is explained below. The top portion includes a pair of wing-like sections 152 oriented 180° from each other. Each wing-like section 152 includes an upwardly biasing blade 154 directly adjacent to the base portion 146, a downwardly biasing blade 156 at the top of each wing-like section 152, and a neutral blade 158, the purpose of which is explained below.

[0033] 12 and 13, respectively, SSD 142 further includes a pressure relief valve to prevent a vacuum from forming beneath SSD 142 when SSD 142 is pulled upwardly through bore 106. In particular, a valve cap 160 is disposed within base 146 and is connected by a spring 162 to a mounting portion 164 within the body of SSD 142. Spring 162 is preloaded with sufficient force to retain valve cap 160 within valve cup 166 at the bottom of base 146 in the absence of any other force being applied to valve cap 160. Given the preload of spring 162, valve cap 160 remains seated in valve cup 166 when SSD 142 is pushed downwardly through sealant 134, as described above and further below. This prevents sealant from seeping into SSD 142 around valve cap 160 as SSD 142 is pushed downward through sealant 134 .

[0034] However, as described above and further below, as SSD 142 is being pulled upward, at some point the vacuum below SSD 142 becomes large enough that the pressure gradient above and below valve cap 160 creates a force on the valve cap that overcomes the spring force holding valve cap 160 within the valve cup. In this embodiment, the interior of rod 144 and SSD 142 may be hollow, and the pressure above the valve cap is ambient pressure.

[0035] The force exerted by valve cap 160 on spring 162 is the product of the ambient air pressure through the hollow tube and the hollow body of the SD and the interior surface area of ​​valve cap 160. As an example, the inside diameter of the valve cap may be 0.625 inches, providing a circular valve cap surface area of ​​0.3068 square inches. With an ambient air pressure of 14.2 psi, the air pressure force (pressure times area) on the top of valve cap 160 is 4.4 pounds. The force on the bottom of the valve cap is 0.0 pounds due to the vacuum.

[0036] Thus, a spring with a pretension of less than 4.4 pounds (and a moderate spring constant so as not to resist significantly greater loads as it is extended) will stretch under the 4.4 pound load (resulting from the pressure differential), creating a gap between the valve cap 160 and the body of the SSD 142. This gap allows air to get behind the SSD 142 as it is pulled out, mitigating the vacuum effect. In embodiments, the spring may be preloaded with a smaller force, such as 0.4 pounds, with a spring constant of 2.8 pounds / inch, which ensures that the valve cap 160 opens easily when the SSD 142 is pulled out of the hole 106. It is understood that the preload of the spring 162 may vary outside of the above ranges and the spring constant may be different in further embodiments.

[0037] In embodiments, the valve cap 160 may have two tabs (or female slots) that engage slots (or tabs) on the valve cup 166 to prevent rotation of the valve cap 160. This prevents winding / unwinding of the spring 162 and prevents changes to the spring preload. The tabs / slots may be omitted in further embodiments.

[0038] 14, in this embodiment, the sealant 134 is first dispensed into the base 106a of the drilled hole 106, as described above. Once the sealant 134 is in the base 106a of the hole 106, the SSD 142 may be inserted into the base 106a of the hole 106 (FIG. 15). As described above, the diameter of the SSD 142 may be customized to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole 106. The base portion 146 may include the channel 136, as described above, and / or the relief slot 150, as described below, to allow the SSD 142 to travel up to the base 106a and displace the sealant 136 into a reservoir 168 above the base portion 146.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 16 , the SSD 142 may then be rotated while being pulled upward toward the mouth of the hole 106. As it rotates, the wing sections 152 force the sealant 134 into any voids 110 open to the hole 106, leaving a thin layer of sealant 134 along the entire cylindrical surface of the hole 106. The apex 148, including the wing sections 152, may be approximately 4 inches long. This length may be greater than the length of the apex 122 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5 . This elongated apex 148 has several advantages. First, it allows each wing section 152 to have a differently oriented portion. Each wing section 152 includes an upwardly biasing blade 154 directly adjacent to the base 146, a downwardly biasing blade 156 at the top of each wing section 152, and a neutral blade 158 (numbered in FIGS. 10 and 11 ).

[0040] The upward biasing blade 154 is angled in a first direction so that it wraps around the central hub of the apex 148. When the sealant spreader assembly 140 is properly rotated (i.e., clockwise when viewed from above), the angled profile of the upward biasing blade 154 urges the sealant 134 upward toward a neutral blade 158 axially midway between the airfoil sections 152. The downward biasing blade 156 is angled in a second direction opposite the upward biasing blade so that the downward biasing blade 156 wraps around the central hub of the apex 148. The angled profile of the downward biasing blade 156 urges the sealant 134 downward toward the neutral blade 158 axially midway between the airfoil sections 152. The sealant 136 is pushed outward by the neutral blade 158, for example, into the void 110. Given the upward bias of blade 154 and the downward bias of blade 156, the sealant is concentrated at neutral blade 158, thus increasing the force with which the sealant is forced into void 110. Therefore, these blade shapes are optimally effective at forcing sealant 134 into void 110.

[0041] In an embodiment, the upward biasing blade 154 is longer than the downward biasing blade 156 so that the net axial force of the wing section 152 on the sealant (parallel to the central axis of rotation of the SSD 142) is upward, towards the mouth of the hole 106. This further ensures that as the SSD 142 rotates and moves upward, the sealant moves into the void and continues to move upward, leaving only a thin layer of sealant covering the hole 106.

[0042] The pair of wing sections 152 also define a pair of reservoirs 168 in the space above the base portion 146 between the wing sections 152. An additional benefit of the long length of the top portion 148 is that it provides a reservoir that can hold a large amount of sealant 134 as the SSD 142 rotates and moves upward.

[0043] 16 , at some point during the upward movement of SSD 142, the pressure differential above and below valve cap 160 becomes great enough to overcome the force of spring 162 held in its seat within base 146. At this point, air from outside sealant spreader assembly 140 moves in the direction of arrow A, through rod 144, through the central cavity of SSD 142, and into hole 106 below SSD 142, equalizing pressure across SSD 142 and preventing sealant from being drawn back under SSD 142.

[0044] As mentioned above, the base portion 146 includes relief slots 150. In embodiments, multiple passes of the sealant spreader assembly 140 may be required to adequately remove the sealant, leaving only a thin layer covering the hole 106 and sealing the void 110. When the SSD 142 is reinserted into the base 106a of the hole 106 for a second (and further) pass, the SSD 142 will again form an airtight seal between the base portion 146 and the surface of the hole, with the sealant 134 on the SSD 142 from the previous pass and the sealant 134 on the walls of the hole 106 from the previous pass. This sealing effect compresses the column of air within the hole 106 as the SSD 142 is reinserted and pressed downward into the hole 106. This compressed air may push the sealant 134 previously forced into the void 110 deeper into the void, exposing new voids that are not sealed and potentially reducing the effectiveness of sealing the voids of the previous pass.

[0045] To overcome this problem, the base portion 146 may include a relief slot 150. Upon reinsertion of the SSD 142, the relief slot 150 may remain free of the sealant 136, thus preventing pressure from building up underneath the SSD 142 as it is again pressed downward into the base 106a of the hole 106.

[0046] In the embodiment described above, the base portions 120, 146 may have a diameter at least as large as the maximum diameter of the wing sections of the apex portions 122, 148. In a further embodiment, the SSD 142 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figures 9-16, except that the base portions are smaller. This embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 17-22. In the following description, parts with the same reference numbers are structurally and operationally identical to those described above with respect to Figures 9-16.

[0047] 17-19 show a sealant spreader assembly 170 including a sealant spreader device 172 attached to a first end of a hollow rod 144. The sealant spreader device 172 in this embodiment includes a base portion 176 and a top portion 148. The top portion 148 includes a pair of wing sections 152 oriented 180° from each other. Each wing section 152 includes an upward biasing blade 154 directly adjacent to the base portion 146, a downward biasing blade 156 at the top of each wing section 152, and a neutral blade 158, as described above.

[0048] The base portion 176 in this embodiment has a smaller diameter such that it is narrower than the wing sections 152 of the apex 148. While the combined diameter of the wing sections 152 is only smaller than the diameter of the hole 106 as described above, the diameter of the base portion 176 is also smaller, leaving, for example, 1 / 4 inch between the outer diameter of the base portion 176 and the wall of the hole 106. It is understood that the space between the base portion 176 and the wall of the hole 106 may be larger or smaller in further embodiments.

[0049] As previously mentioned, more than one pass of the sealant spreader device through the hole 106 may be required to effectively seal all voids 110 and leave a thin layer of sealant 134 covering the hole 106. The reduced diameter of the base portion 176 effectively prevents a seal from forming between the wall of the hole 106 and the SSD 172 at the base portion 176 upon reinsertion of the SSD 172. This causes air to escape upward (arrow A) from beneath the SSD 172 as it is pushed downward during reinsertion ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ). Because the outer diameter of the base portion 176 is no longer the same as the outer diameter of the wing sections 152, the wing sections 152 are solely responsible for moving excess sealant upward toward the hole mouth as the SSD is withdrawn. Because an airtight seal may be formed with the SSD 172 as it displaces the sealant upward, a relief valve 160 and associated components may be provided to prevent a vacuum from forming under the SSD 172 as it moves upward, as shown in FIG. 22 and as described above.

[0050] After preparing the hole 106 by applying the sealant 134 to the void and leaving a thin layer of sealant on the walls of the hole 106, the sealant may be allowed to cure or harden. The rod 104 (FIG. 1) may then be adhered to the hole 106 using a glue or other adhesive. In further embodiments, the glue or other adhesive may be applied before the sealant 134 is cured. In such embodiments, the sealant 134 may be more viscous than the glue or other adhesive used to secure the rod 104 within the hole 106. In such embodiments, the sealant 134 and the glue or other adhesive may be cured simultaneously.

[0051] The various SSDs 142, 172 have been described above as having a pair of wing sections 152. However, it is understood that the SSDs 142, 172 may have a single wing section 152 or two or more wing sections, including, for example, three or four wing sections 152, around the edge of the SSD.

[0052] In summary, the present technology relates to a sealant spreader device for spreading sealant into one or more voids surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, the sealant spreader device comprising: a base portion configured to fit within the hole; and a top portion formed on the base portion and configured to fit within the hole, the top portion including one or more wing-like sections configured to push sealant into the one or more voids when the base portion and top portion are rotated and lifted out of the hole.

[0053] In a further embodiment, the present technology relates to a sealant spreader device for spreading sealant into one or more gaps surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, the sealant spreader device comprising: a base portion configured to fit within the hole; a top portion formed on the base portion and configured to fit within the hole, the top portion comprising a reservoir configured to store a quantity of sealant; and a wing-like section having one or more contours configured to push sealant radially outward from the reservoir into the one or more gaps when the sealant spreader device rotates.

[0054] In another embodiment, the present technology relates to a method of sealing one or more voids surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, the method comprising: (a) supplying a quantity of sealant to a base of the hole; (b) inserting a sealant spreader device having a contoured wing-like section configured to move the sealant radially outward toward the wall of the hole when rotated, through the sealant and into the hole to the base of the hole; (c) rotating the sealant spreader device while lifting it from the hole to force the sealant radially outward toward the wall of the hole and into the one or more voids; and (d) carrying the sealant upward with the sealant spreader device as it rotates and is lifted from the hole.

[0055] The foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The described embodiments were selected to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to best utilize the invention, with various embodiments and modifications suited to the particular uses contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A sealant spreader device for spreading sealant into one or more voids surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, comprising: a base configured to fit within the hole; a top formed on the base and configured to fit into the hole, the top including one or more wing-like sections configured to force the sealant into the one or more voids when the base and the top are rotated and lifted out of the hole; A sealant spreader device comprising:

2. Each airfoil section includes a first portion having a first profile angled in a first direction; The sealant spreader device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is configured to urge the sealant upward when the base and top are rotated and lifted upward.

3. each airfoil section further comprising a second portion having a second profile angled in a second direction opposite the first direction; The sealant spreader device of claim 2 , wherein the second portion is configured to urge the sealant downward when the base and top are rotated and lifted upward.

4. each airfoil section further comprising a third portion between the first portion and the second portion; The sealant spreader device of claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the second portion concentrate the sealant in the third portion.

5. The sealant spreader device of claim 4 , wherein the third portion forces the sealant into the one or more voids.

6. The sealant spreader device of claim 1 , wherein each wing section is positioned 180° apart from each other.

7. an outer diameter of the base portion is smaller than the combined outer diameter of the two airfoil sections; 7. The sealant spreader device of claim 6, wherein the smaller diameter base portion prevents an airtight seal of the sealant spreader device upon reinsertion of the sealant spreader device for a second pass of the sealant spreader device through the hole.

8. further comprising a pressure valve seated within the base; 2. The sealant spreader device of claim 1, wherein the pressure valve opens to vent air into the hole below the sealant spreader device when the sealant spreader device is lifted out of the hole.

9. The sealant spreader device of claim 8 , wherein the pressure valve is biased against the base portion by a preloaded spring within an internal cavity of the sealant spreader device.

10. 1. A sealant spreader device for spreading sealant into one or more voids surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, comprising: a base configured to fit within the hole; a top portion formed on the base portion and configured to fit into the hole; The top portion is a reservoir configured to store a quantity of the sealant; an airfoil section having one or more contours configured to force the sealant from the reservoir radially outward into the one or more voids when the sealant spreader device rotates; A sealant spreader device comprising:

11. the airfoil section comprises a first portion; the first portion is adjacent to the base and has a first contour angled in a first direction; 11. The sealant spreader device of claim 10, wherein the first angled contour of the first portion is configured to urge the sealant upward when the base and top are rotated and lifted upward.

12. the wing section comprises a second portion; the second portion is distal most from the base and has a second contour angled in a second direction opposite the first direction; 12. The sealant spreader device of claim 11, wherein the second angled contour of the second portion is configured to urge the sealant downward when the base and top are rotated and lifted upward.

13. the airfoil section further comprising a third portion between the first portion and the second portion; the first and second portions concentrate the sealant in the third portion; The sealant spreader device of claim 12 , wherein the third portion forces the sealant radially outward into the one or more voids.

14. the first portion is longer than the second portion; 14. The sealant spreader device of claim 13, wherein the longer the length of the first portion, the greater the upward bias on the sealant from the first portion relative to the downward bias on the sealant from the second portion.

15. the radius of the base portion is smaller than the radius of the airfoil section; The sealant spreader device of claim 10 , wherein the smaller radius of the base portion prevents an airtight seal of the sealant spreader device upon reinsertion of the sealant spreader device into the hole.

16. further comprising a pressure valve seated within the base; 11. The sealant spreader device of claim 10, wherein the pressure valve opens to vent air into the hole below the sealant spreader device when the sealant spreader device is lifted out of the hole.

17. 17. The sealant spreader device of claim 16, wherein the pressure valve is biased against the base portion by a preloaded spring within an internal cavity of the sealant spreader device.

18. 1. A method of sealing one or more voids surrounding a hole configured to receive a glue-in rod, comprising: (a) applying a quantity of sealant to the base of the hole; (b) inserting a sealant spreader device into the hole through the sealant to the base of the hole, the sealant spreader device comprising a contoured wing section configured to move the sealant radially outward toward a wall of the hole upon rotation; (c) rotating the sealant spreader device while lifting it out of the hole to force the sealant radially outward toward the wall of the hole and into the one or more voids; (d) carrying the sealant upward with the sealant spreader device as the sealant spreader device rotates and is lifted out of the hole; A method for providing

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein (c) rotating the sealant spreader while lifting the sealant spreader device from the hole further coats the walls of the hole with a thin layer of the sealant.

20. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing an air passageway through an interior of the sealant spreader device to allow equalization of pressure above and below the sealant spreader device as the sealant spreader device is lifted from and / or inserted into the hole.

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