Decking Anchor With Web And Flange Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decking anchor systems are time-intensive and multi-stepped for installation and repositioning, with limited load resistance, especially in seismic and high-wind regions, and require drilling into structural decking and concrete, which is destructive and requires safety precautions.
Innovation Solution
The decking anchor system comprises a web anchor and a flange anchor operatively coupled, allowing for easy installation and repositioning with one hand, providing improved load resistance by contacting both the webs and upper flange of the decking, and does not require drilling, using a biasing member and stop to secure the anchor in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional decking anchors are installed using drilling into structural decking and concrete, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation becomes time-intensive and requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into two separate portions: a web anchor portion that engages with the webs of the decking flutes, and a flange anchor portion that engages with the upper flange. These portions can be installed independently or together, allowing for simplified installation without drilling while maintaining secure attachment through distributed engagement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor portions are pre-configured with engagement features (teeth, hooks, or contact surfaces) that are designed to directly engage with the decking structure upon insertion. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for on-site drilling or additional fastening steps, as the anchor is ready to secure immediately upon installation.
2Reliability
If traditional decking anchors require drilling into structural decking, then secure attachment is achieved, but the decking and concrete are destroyed requiring safety precautions
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful drilling action is completely removed from the installation process. Instead of penetrating and damaging the decking structure, the anchor portions are designed to engage with the external surfaces and structural features (webs and upper flange) of the decking, achieving secure attachment without intrusive intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of drilling into a benefit by utilizing the existing structural features of the decking (the webs and upper flange) as engagement points. The anchor portions are configured to leverage these structural elements for secure attachment, turning what would require destructive intervention into a non-destructive solution that benefits from the decking's inherent structure.
3Strength
If decking anchors are designed to resist loads in all directions, then load resistance is improved, but the anchor installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each anchor portion is designed with localized engagement features optimized for its specific function: the web anchor portion has features (teeth, hooks, or contact surfaces) optimized for engaging with the webs to resist longitudinal and lateral loads, while the flange anchor portion has features optimized for engaging with the upper flange to resist vertical and lateral loads. This localized optimization achieves multi-directional load resistance without requiring a uniformly complex design throughout the entire anchor system.
Data Source
AI summary
The decking anchors have a web anchor and a flange anchor that are operatively coupled together. In an assembly position, the web anchor and the flange anchor may be oriented in the same plane. After insertion into the cavity of the decking, the flange anchor may contact the upper flange of the decking, the web anchor may be rotated (e.g., after moving vertically upward while the flange anchor remains stationary), the web anchor may engage the webs of the decking (e.g., after moving vertically downward while the flange anchor remains stationary), and a stop may be operatively coupled to the web anchor and the flange anchor, in order to secure the web anchor and the flange anchor to each other while the web anchor contacts the webs and the flange anchor contacts the upper flange to form an anchor within the decking that has loading resistance in all directions.