Metal Deck Anchor Holder With Collapsible Arms for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor systems for concrete on metal decks face challenges in securely attaching anchors before concrete pouring, particularly on metal decks, as they often fail to provide a stable and reliable mechanism for positioning and retaining anchors during and after concrete curing.
Innovation Solution
The anchor assembly features a collapsible sleeve body with outwardly biased arms that expand below the metal deck, combined with a support mechanism to apply an upward force, ensuring the arms engage the deck underside, and includes a threaded bore system for receiving anchors and supporting loads after concrete curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchor systems are used on metal decks, then installation is simple, but the anchors fail to provide stable and reliable positioning and retention during and after concrete curing
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor holder employs dynamically movable arms that can transition between retracted and extended positions. During installation, the arms are compressed and retract toward the holder body to pass through the metal deck opening. Once positioned, the arms automatically extend outward to engage the underside of the metal deck, providing dynamic adaptation to installation and retention phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor holder is divided into distinct functional segments: a holder body for receiving the anchor, collapsible arms for engagement, and a support mechanism for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Strength
If the anchor holder uses outwardly biased arms for engagement, then holding capacity is improved, but the arms must be collapsible to pass through the deck opening
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed with biasing elements that provide outward force for engagement while allowing controlled collapse during installation. The dynamic nature of the arms enables them to transition from a compressed state (for passing through the opening) to an extended state (for providing holding capacity), resolving the contradiction between strength and installability.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing elements in the arms are pre-loaded to store mechanical energy that will be released during engagement. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the arms extend to engage the metal deck underside, they do so with sufficient force to provide reliable holding capacity, while the stored energy also facilitates the collapse motion during installation.
3Reliability
If the anchor holder includes a support mechanism to apply upward force, then the arms remain engaged against the deck underside, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is designed to automatically engage and apply upward force on the holder body as the anchor is being installed. This preliminary action ensures that the arms are pushed against the metal deck underside during the critical positioning phase, establishing stable engagement before the concrete is poured and cures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism is integrated with the holder body and arm assembly rather than being a separate component. This merging combines multiple functions (support, positioning, and engagement) into a unified structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefit of stable anchor positioning.
4Strength
If the arms expand below the metal deck for engagement, then anchorage is improved, but the anchor must remain visible above insulation for access
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor holder system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the arms and holder body that extend below the metal deck for secure engagement, and the anchor receptacle that remains visible above the insulation. This spatial segmentation allows the anchorage and accessibility requirements to be satisfied in different locations, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions the engagement function to a different spatial dimension (below the metal deck) while maintaining the accessibility function in the original dimension (above the insulation). The arms extend vertically below the deck to provide anchorage, while the anchor top remains accessible from above, effectively using dimensional separation to satisfy conflicting requirements.
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 solution provides a secure and stable attachment of anchors to metal decks before concrete pouring, ensuring the anchors remain engaged and visible above insulation, maintaining holding capacity and facilitating easy access for load support after curing.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is attached to an upper portion of the holder body and is biased upwardly to tend to draw the holder body upwardly, thereby making the arms engage the underside of the metal deck
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor holder for concrete decks comprises a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall and an opening for receiving an anchor. The body includes arms normally biased extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck. A support is attached to the body, the support to engage a top surface of the metal deck to apply an upward force on the body and keep the collapsible arms engaged against an underside of the metal deck when the body is attached to the metal deck.