Metal Deck Anchor Insert With Reversible Radial Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cast-in-place anchors with automatic and irreversible radial expansion members are difficult to remove and reposition, requiring access from the underside of metal decking, making it challenging to selectively secure and reverse the anchor's position.
Innovation Solution
A cast-in-place concrete anchor assembly with a radially expandable member that can be selectively engaged and disengaged by a telescopic mechanism, allowing easy installation and removal by adjusting the anchor housing's position relative to the anchor support, enabling secure attachment and repositioning without needing access from the underside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radial expansion member is automatically expanded during installation, then the anchor is securely locked to the metal decking, but the anchor becomes difficult to remove and reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion member is designed to transition between expanded and collapsed states dynamically. During installation, the shaft forces the expansion member to expand for secure attachment. For removal, the expansion member can be collapsed back, allowing the anchor to be pulled through the decking without requiring access from the underside.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft serves a dual function: it both installs the anchor by forcing the expansion member to expand, and enables removal by allowing the expansion member to collapse. The same component (shaft) that secures the anchor also provides the mechanism for its removal, eliminating the need for separate access points.
2Reliability
If access is required from the underside to remove the anchor, then the anchor can be securely locked, but the removal process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The removal function is extracted from the underside access requirement and integrated into the shaft mechanism. By collapsing the expansion member through the shaft, the anchor can be removed from the topside, eliminating the need to access the underside of the decking for removal operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the expansion member is permanently expanded, then the anchor cannot be accidentally dislodged, but the anchor cannot be repositioned if needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic positioning capability. The expansion member can be in an expanded state for stable, fixed installation or collapsed for repositioning. This allows the anchor to transition between being permanently secured and being movable, providing both stability and adaptability as needed.
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
Enables secure attachment and easy removal of anchors from metal decking, improving installation efficiency and allowing for flexible repositioning without the need for underside access, simplifying the process of managing multiple anchors.
Implementation Method 1
a radially expandable member. Actuation of the radial expansion member occurring as a result of the shaft of the anchor housing engaging the expansion member during the telescopic receiving to lock the assembly to the hole by trapping the hole between the base support flange and the expansion member.
Data Source
AI summary
A cast-in-place concrete anchor assembly for installation in or on a metal decking form. The assembly incudes an anchor housing with shaft extending from a flange. The flange includes a locking member that may take the form of a female thread. The anchor assembly also including an anchor support for receiving a shaft of the anchor housing. The anchor support further includes a radial expansion member with a tapered surface. The radial expansion member flexes outward upon engagement of the tapered surface by the shaft to expend the expansion member. The expansion member expanding outwardly past an outermost radius of a hole in the metal decking to lockably and selectively connect the assembly to the metal decking.