Dual-Thread Concrete Anchor for Cracked Concrete Pullout Strength

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete anchors face challenges in meeting pullout requirements, especially when installed in cracked concrete, and are often complex and costly, with screw type anchors failing to provide sufficient holding strength and multi-piece anchors being labor-intensive and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece threaded concrete anchor with a unique helical thread formation featuring alternating lobe members and base portions, which reduces installation torque and enhances resistance to pullout by varying thread heights and widths, allowing deeper penetration and better engagement with cracked concrete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If screw anchors are used, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but holding strength is insufficient in cracked concrete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidholding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thread geometry parameters by creating a dual-thread formation with alternating high and low thread heights. The high threads engage the concrete for holding strength while the low threads provide spacing and concrete displacement, enabling the anchor to achieve wedge-type performance in cracked concrete while maintaining screw anchor installation simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The thread formation is segmented into alternating high and low thread portions along the shank length. This segmentation allows different portions of the thread to perform different functions: high threads provide engagement and holding strength, while low threads provide spacing and concrete displacement, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and high holding strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If multi-piece anchors are used, then holding strength in cracked concrete is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding strengthVSAvoidanchor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple anchor components into a single integrated threaded shank with a unique dual-thread formation. The alternating high and low threads combine the engagement function of screw anchors with the expansion and spacing functions of wedge anchors, eliminating the need for separate components while achieving equivalent holding strength in cracked concrete

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If multi-piece anchors are used, then holding strength in cracked concrete is achieved, but installation labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding strengthVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple anchor components into a single integrated threaded fastener with alternating high and low threads, the patent enables installation using simple screw-driving tools rather than requiring multi-step assembly and expansion procedures, significantly reducing installation labor while maintaining holding strength in cracked concrete

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional thread formations are used, then manufacturing is simple, but penetration depth and concrete engagement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpenetration depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thread formation parameters by introducing alternating high and low thread heights along the shank. This allows deeper penetration into cracked concrete while the low threads provide necessary spacing and concrete displacement, maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a continuous threaded formation rather than requiring complex multi-component assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2452085B1Threaded concrete anchor
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2452085B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2452085B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fastener for use in concrete includes a shank and a head. The shank has a tip distal most from the head. The shank includes a first helical thread formation having a thread form thereon formed from two portions disposed upon opposite lateral sides of the thread form. The thread form has a root and the two portions include an alternating series of lobe members and base portions. The lobe members have a height as measured from the root and the base portions have a height as measured from the root. The height of the lobe members is greater than the height of the base portions and the height of the base portions is greater than zero. The fastener includes a second helical thread formation that is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the first helical thread formation.