Threaded Concrete Anchor Assembly for Reusable Fixture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor assemblies for attaching fixtures to concrete structures are difficult to remove without causing damage to the fixture or the concrete, making them time-consuming and expensive to uninstall.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assembly featuring a threaded drive pin and a threaded anchor with pivotable gripping arms and external helical threads, allowing for easy installation and removal by rotational unscrewing, reducing the need for pry bars and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional anchor assembly with gripping arms is driven into concrete using a hammer, then the anchor securely attaches the fixture to the concrete structure, but the anchor becomes difficult or impossible to remove without causing damage to the fixture or concrete
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assembly is divided into two separate components: a threaded anchor that remains in the concrete and a threaded drive pin that is inserted through the fixture. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized threading for its specific function - the anchor threads engage the concrete while the drive pin threads engage the anchor, enabling independent removal of either component.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional hammer-driven gripping arm mechanism is replaced with a threaded mechanical engagement system. Instead of relying on expanded gripping arms that are difficult to retract, the invention uses threaded fastening that can be easily undone with a rotating tool, substituting a reversible mechanical threading system for an irreversible expansion system.
2Ease of operation
If a pry bar is used to remove a traditional anchor assembly, then the fixture can be detached from the concrete structure, but damage occurs to the fixture, concrete structure, and the anchor assembly becomes unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The destructive pry bar mechanical leverage system is replaced with a controlled threaded unscrewing system. By using a rotating tool to undo the threads on either the drive pin or anchor, the fixture can be detached through controlled rotational motion rather than forced prying, eliminating the harmful lateral forces that cause damage to the fixture and concrete.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded anchor assembly is designed to be self-releasing through reverse threading. The same threaded mechanism that secures the fixture during installation automatically provides the release mechanism during removal, eliminating the need for external pry bars or additional removal tools that could cause damage.
3Reliability
If traditional anchor assemblies are removed and discarded due to damage, then no damaged components remain in use, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded anchor assembly is designed to enable recovery of components for reuse. By allowing controlled unscrewing of either the drive pin or anchor without damage, the system enables the recovered components to be reused in future installations, eliminating the need to discard and replace anchors after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The irreversible hammer-driven expansion mechanism is replaced with a reversible threaded fastening system. This substitution transforms the anchor from a single-use disposable component into a reusable component that can be repeatedly installed and removed through controlled threading operations, reducing both time and cost over multiple installations.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assembly including a threaded anchor and a threaded drive pin positionable in the threaded anchor, a method of using or installing the anchor assembly to attach a fixture to a substrate, and a method of removing or un-installing the anchor assembly from the fixture and the substrate to detach the fixture from the substrate.