Snap Nut Concrete Anchor Assembly for Threaded Rod Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor designs for concrete substrates face reliability challenges due to alignment issues and incomplete collapse of split nut portions during installation, leading to potential misalignment and insecurity of threaded connections.
Innovation Solution
A base member with a main guide and reinforcement ribs, combined with a support member featuring a bore assembly and biasing member, transforms between pre-snap and post-snap configurations to ensure secure engagement of threaded rods, preventing axial movement except by rotation, thus ensuring proper alignment and complete collapse of bore portions onto the rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a split nut concept is used to accommodate different sized bolts, then versatility is improved, but alignment reliability deteriorates due to misalignment of separate bore portions
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into separate bore portions that can be forced apart radially to accommodate different sized bolts, then biased back together to engage the bolt threads. This segmentation provides versatility while the biasing mechanism ensures reliable alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bore portions are designed to change their radial position dynamically - expanded outward to receive bolts of various diameters, then collapsed inward to achieve precise alignment and thread engagement. This parameter change resolves both versatility and reliability requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bore portions are forced apart to install different diameter bolts, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to incomplete collapse and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The bore portions transition from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic system that can expand and collapse radially. This dynamic behavior allows the same anchor to precisely accommodate multiple bolt diameters while maintaining manufacturing precision through the biasing mechanism that ensures complete collapse onto the bolt.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member provides continuous feedback force that pushes the bore portions together until they achieve proper alignment and complete collapse onto the bolt. This self-correcting mechanism ensures manufacturing precision regardless of the initial bolt size or installation variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a threaded bore structure with separable parts is used, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated anchor assembly: the base member, multiple bore portions, biasing members, and alignment features are combined into one unit that provides versatile bolt accommodation without requiring separate components for each bolt size. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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
The solution enhances the integrity and ease of installation of anchors by ensuring proper alignment and secure locking of threaded rods, reducing the risk of misalignment and deformation, and providing a reliable fastening mechanism within concrete substrates.
Implementation Method 1
the separable threaded bore portions are able to be forced apart radially from a central longitudinal axis of the rod or bolt and then are biased back together so that interior female threads of the bore portions complementarily engage the external male threads of the rod or bolt
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an anchor device for receiving and securing a shaft thereto. The device includes an outer housing within which a jaw assembly is secured. The outer housing of the device may in turn be secured to or within a support structure such as a building component. Jaw components of the jaw assembly may be threaded. Furthermore, the jaw assembly has at least two configurations. In a first configuration, at least one jaw component is positioned away from a central shaft axis against the biasing force of a biasing member. A removable or reconfigurable holding member or stop member selectively secures the at least one jaw component in its position. In as second configuration, the holding member is reconfigured by the inserted shaft to trigger movement of the at least one jaw component toward the central shaft axis and into contact with the shaft.