Levelling Screw Installation in Grout-Filled Masonry Bores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for leveling posts or railings on concrete or masonry substrates require a gap for levelling nuts and are not efficient for repeated adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method using a levelling screw with a support structure for the attachment part, where the screw is inserted into a bore filled with hardenable grout, tapping a thread into the substrate for secure levelling without the need for levelling nuts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If levelling nuts are used to level posts or railings on concrete or masonry substrates, then the attachment part can be supported and adjusted, but a gap must be maintained between the base and the attachment part to accommodate the nut and allow access by a torqueing tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelevelling adjustmentVSAvoidgap requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the levelling function from a separate nut component and integrates it directly into the attachment part. The levelling cavity is formed within the attachment part itself, eliminating the need for external nuts and the associated gap requirement. This allows the attachment part to be levelled directly against the base surface without accommodating separate levelling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the levelling function with the attachment part structure by forming a levelling cavity within the attachment part. This integration combines what were previously separate functions (attachment and levelling) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate levelling nuts and reducing the overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If levelling nuts are used for installation, then support and adjustment are provided, but the assembly becomes more complex and requires additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport and adjustmentVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the levelling function from separate nut components and integrates it directly into the attachment part structure. The levelling cavity is formed within the attachment part itself, eliminating the need for external nuts and simplifying the overall assembly by reducing the number of separate components required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the levelling function with the attachment part structure by forming a levelling cavity within the attachment part. This integration combines what were previously separate functions (attachment and levelling) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate levelling nuts and reducing the overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional levelling methods are used, then the attachment part can be supported, but repeated adjustments are not efficient and require removing and reinstalling nuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeated adjustmentsVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables dynamic adjustment by allowing the attachment part to be freely rotated within the levelling cavity. This rotational freedom allows for easy and repeated adjustments of the attachment part's orientation and position without requiring removal or reinstallation of components, significantly reducing adjustment time and improving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables fast, easy, and versatile levelling on concrete or masonry substrates, allowing for repeated adjustments while maintaining a compact assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a hardenable grout is arranged within the bore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHardenening:

Implementation Method 2

the at least one first screw thread taps the base as the shank is screwingly inserted into the bore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTapping:

Data Source

PatentEP4308822B1Method and levelling screw for installing an attachment part
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 HILTI AG
  • EP4308822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4308822B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for installing an attachment part on a concrete or masonry base, in which a hardenable grout is arranged within the bore in the base, a levelling screw is screwingly and tappingly inserted into the bore and into the hardenable grout, and subsequently, the levelling screw is partially unscrewed out of the bore. The invention also relates to a levelling screw.