Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SEISMIC TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN ANCHOR INSERTION
The present invention relates to a seismic tool assembly
meant to be used for the later insertion and setting of anchors,
such as drop-in and wedge type anchors into brittle materials
such as concrete, stone, masonry and cementuous materials. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a seismic tool
assembly for effecting a drill hole and enlarging a lowermost end
thereof to have a greater circumference than that of the
remainder of the drill hole whereby an anchor can be set more
securely therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Anchors are conventionally used in construction to attach
various components of a building construction to an overhead
ceiling or other structure. Such components to be attached can
relate to, for example, services that provide plumbing,
electrical, drainage, sprinkler system piping and drop ceilings.
From these anchors, which are usually of the wedge or drop-in
type variety, all of the above services and ceilings are
suspended or secured.
Conventionally, in setting anchors in concrete to suspend an
awning, for example, a hole is pre-drilled in the surface to
which the anchor is to be applied, and then the anchor is
inserted into the pre-drilled hole. However, when setting such
anchors in concrete it is not uncommon for such anchors to weaken
and loosen over time, particularly in situations where cracking
or chipping of the concrete around the pre-drilled hole has
occurred.
Furthermore, studies have revealed that cracking can
typically occur in the concrete element, and that such cracks can
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significantly impact the performance of anchors. Cracks can
originate on a concrete beam or slab in a variety of ways, such
as creep, temperature settlement of the support or foundation,
thermal expansion and contraction stress overload, or from a
natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood. In such
situations, the situation can arise where, if one such concrete
anchor fails and lets go, the remaining anchors, by virtue of the
weight they additionally assume in light of such failure, can
also similarly collapse and fail.
It has been found that enlarging the lowermost (interior)
portion of a drill hole can allow an anchor to be set more
securely therein. It has further been found that providing a
drill hole with an enlarged lower end having a greater
circumference than that of the remainder of the drill hole can be
advantageously provided by a drill bit having an enlarged cutting
portion adjacent the tip, which is inserted into the drill hole,
whereby the enlargement of the cutting portion is configured so
that it can pass through the shaft of the pre-drilled hole to be
enlarged.
It would therefore be advantageous to have an improved
seismic tool assembly meant to be used for the later insertion
and setting of anchors into brittle materials such as concrete,
stone, masonry and cementuous materials.
It would be further advantageous to have an improved seismic
tool assembly for use in a one step process for both creating a
drill hole and, at the same time, enlarging a lowermost end of a
drill hole, wherein the lowermost end of the drill hole can be
further drilled and enlarged to have a greater circumference than
that of the remainder of the drill hole, wherein an anchor can
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later be positioned and securely retained within the enlarged
area.
It would also be further advantageous to have an improved
seismic tool assembly meant to be used for the later insertion
and setting of anchors which utilizes a stabilizer having an
opening corresponding with the drill hole for receiving an
insertion of the bit body into the drill hole, so as to aid in
accurately inserting the drill bit into the drill hole. It would
also be still further advantageous to have a stabilizer which
possesses a tapered interior, with an upper end of the stabilizer
having a narrower opening for receiving the insertion of the bit
body therein and thus stabilize the bit body, and the lower end
of the stabilizer having a larger sized opening greater than that
of the upper end, so as to increase the range of motion of the
drilling bit and permit limited tilting movement of the bit
within the stabilizer during the drilling process so as to
further aid in enlarging a lowermost end of the drill hole to
receive an anchor. To this end, the present invention effectively
addresses this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved seismic tool
assembly meant to be used for the later insertion and setting of
anchors for the insertion and setting of anchors into brittle
materials such as concrete, stone, masonry and cementuous
materials.
The present invention also provides an improved seismic tool
assembly meant to be used for the later insertion and setting of
anchors, which can be used in a one step process for both
creating a drill hole and, at the same time, for enlarging a
lowermost end of a drill hole to have a greater circumference
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than that of the remainder of the drill hole, whereby an anchor
can be later set and positioned more securely therein.
The present invention also provides an improved seismic tool
assembly meant to be used for the later insertion and setting of
anchors which utilizes a stabilizer having an opening
corresponding with the drill hole for receiving an insertion of
the bit body into the drill hole, so as to aid in accurately
inserting the drill bit into the drill hole.
The present invention also provides an improved seismic tool
assembly meant to be used for the later insertion and setting of
anchors which utilizes a stabilizer which possesses a tapered
interior, with an upper end of the stabilizer having a narrower
opening for receiving the insertion of the bit body therein and
thus stabilize the bit body, and the lower end of the stabilizer
having a larger sized opening greater than that of the upper end,
so as to increase the range of motion of the drilling bit and
permit limited tilting movement of the bit within the stabilizer
during the drilling process so as to further aid in enlarging a
lowermost end of the drill hole.
According to a first broad aspect of an embodiment of the
present invention, there is disclosed a seismic tool assembly for
effecting a drill hole and enlarging a lowermost end thereof for
a later insertion and setting of anchors therein, the assembly
comprising a substantially cylindrical bit body sized to fit into
the drill hole, the bit body having a first end region
constructed and arranged to be operatively connected to a drill
and a second end region disposed generally opposite said first
end region, wherein a cutting portion is positioned to protrude
from at least one side of the second end region, the cutting
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portion having an operational cutting radius greater than a
cutting radius of the bit body; a stabilizer having an opening
defined therethrough corresponding with the drill hole and for
receiving an insertion of the bit body into the drill hole; and
a drill stop member for mounting within at least a portion of the
drill hole and constructed and arranged for having the stabilizer
mounted thereon, the drill stop member having a central opening
corresponding with each of the openings of the stabilizer and the
drill hole, the drill stop member restricting downward drilling
movement of the bit body into the drill hole to a pre-set depth.
According to a second broad aspect of an embodiment of the
present invention, there is disclosed a seismic anchor insertion
assembly for insertion into a drill hole to effect placement of
an anchor, the assembly comprising a substantially cylindrical
bit body sized to fit into the drill hole, the bit body having a
first end region constructed and arranged to be operatively
connected to a drill and a second end region disposed generally
opposite said first end region, wherein a cutting portion is
positioned to protrude from at least one side of the second end
region, the cutting portion having an operational cutting radius
greater than a cutting radius of the bit body; a stabilizer
having an opening defined therethrough corresponding with the
drill hole and for receiving an insertion of the bit body into
the drill hole, an upper end of the stabilizer having a narrower
opening for receiving the insertion of the bit body therein and
the lower end of the stabilizer having an opening greater than
that of the upper end, so as to permit limited tilting movement
of the bit body within the stabilizer during a drilling process
to further enlarge a lowermost end of the drill hole; a drill
stop member for restricting downward drilling movement of the bit
body into the drill hole to a pre-set depth and having a flange
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portion constructed and arranged to extend into the drill hole
and abut an inside portion thereof, the drill stop member being
constructed and arranged for having the stabilizer mounted
thereon and having a central opening corresponding with each of
the openings of the stabilizer and the drill hole; and locking
means on the drill stop member for selectively stabilizing the
bit body and for preventing disassembly of the bit body from the
drill stop member and the stabilizer.
An important advantage of the present invention is that it
provides an improved seismic tool assembly having a drill bit
which can be connected to a conventional drill, for effecting a
drill hole and enlarging a lowermost end thereof wherein an
anchor can later be positioned and securely retained within the
enlarged area. Further, the present invention provides a
stabilizer for mounting within at least a portion of the drill
hole, having an opening corresponding with the drill hole, for
receiving an insertion of the drill bit into the drill hole, so
as to aid in accurately inserting and positioning the drill bit
into the drill hole.
Another important advantage of the present invention is that
it provides an improved seismic tool assembly which utilizes a
stabilizer which possesses a tapered interior, with an upper end
of the stabilizer having a narrower opening for receiving the
insertion of the bit body therein and thus stabilize the bit
body, and the lower end of the stabilizer having a larger sized
opening greater than that of the upper end, so as to increase the
range of motion of the drilling bit and permit limited tilting
movement of the bit within the stabilizer during the drilling
process so as to further aid in enlarging a lowermost end of the
drill hole.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments of the present invention will now be
described by reference to the following figures, in which
identical reference numerals in different figures indicate
identical elements and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the seismic
drilling bit of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an upper end of the drill stop
member;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lower end of the drill stop
member;
Figure 4 is an end view of the flange portion of the stabilizer,
illustrating the locking means surrounding the flange portion and
in an open unlocked position;
Figure 5 is an end view of the flange portion of the stabilizer,
illustrating the locking means surrounding the flange portion and
in a closed locked position;
Figure 6 is a top view of the stabilizer, illustrating the flange
portion and the locking means surrounding the flange portion and
illustrating side portions of the flange portion having an
elongated opening defined along a length thereof, for allowing
passage of the cutting portion of the bit body when the bit body
is inserted through the stabilizer;
Figure 7 is an end view of the stabilizer;
Figure 8 is a side view illustrating the drill stop member
mounted within the stabilizer;
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Figure 9 is a perspective view of the fully connected seismic
tool assembly;
Figure 10 is a side view illustrating the drill stop member
mounted within the stabilizer;
Figure 11 is a side view illustrating the drill stop member
mounted within the stabilizer, and illustrating the seismic tool
assembly effecting initially, a drill hole, and then enlarging a
lower end of the drill hole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described for the purposes of
illustration only in connection with certain embodiments;
however, it is to be understood that other objects and advantages
of the present invention will be made apparent by the following
description of the drawings according to the present invention.
While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended
to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein
are considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the
present invention and it is to be further understood that
numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of
the present invention.
The present invention consists of an improved seismic tool
assembly designed for effecting a drill hole and enlarging a
lowermost end thereof to have a greater circumference than that
of the remainder of the drill hole whereby an anchor can be set
more securely therein.
Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a seismic tool
assembly for use in the later insertion and setting of anchors
shown generally at 1 in accordance with a first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment,
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as hereinafter described, the seismic tool assembly 1 is to be
rotatably mounted onto a drill by way of a drill spindle (not
shown). It will be understood that there are numerous variations
as to the types of attachments to a drill or otherwise that the
seismic tool assembly 1 of the present invention could be mounted
thereon, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, the seismic tool assembly 1 is
for use in the later insertion and setting of anchors into
concrete, stone, masonry and cementuous materials (though it will
be understood that other variations to this are possible) and
comprises a seismic drilling bit 2, a stabilizer 7, and a drill
stop member 5, as hereinafter described.
Preferably, the seismic drilling bit 2 will be made of a
durable, machinable metal and is substantially cylindrical in
shape. The seismic drilling bit 2 is, preferably, of a one-piece
construction that comprises an upper end 9 and a lower end 8
which are integrally connected to one another.
With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that the bit body
4 of the seismic drilling bit 2 can effect the drilling of a
drill hole, and has a first diameter (and cutting radius) sized
to readily fit into a drill hole (not shown), and possesses, as
most conventional drill bits do, at least one cutting edge and at
least one groove extending in a helical fashion along a length of
the bit body 4 of the seismic drilling bit 2. In a preferred
embodiment, these extend along a substantial length of the bit
body 4, or, alternatively, extend along at least half a length of
the bit body 4. Preferably, the first diameter of the upper end 9
of the bit body 4 is less than or equal to a diameter of the
drill hole into which the seismic drilling bit 2 of the present
invention is to be inserted.
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The proximal upper end 9 of the seismic drilling bit 2 is
constructed and arranged to be releasably secured to a drill by
way of a drill spindle (not shown). In an alternative embodiment,
the distal lower end 8 of the seismic drilling bit 2 can have a
tapered end (not shown) and a drill tip 11 extending generally
outwardly from the tapered end.
The lower end 8 of the seismic drilling bit 2 has a cutting
portion 10 positioned on each side of the lower end 8 of the
seismic drilling bit 2, the cutting portions 10 having a greater
outermost width than that of the bit body 4 whereby, when the
seismic drilling bit 2 is inserted fully into an lowermost end of
the drill hole and rotated, the cutting portions 10 enlarge a
circumference of the drill hole at the lowermost end thereof that
is greater than the circumference of the remainder of the shaft
of the drill hole. Preferably, the cutting portions 10 extend
outwardly from substantially around an entirety of the lower end
8 of the seismic drilling bit 2, as seen in Figure 1. In an
alternative embodiment (which is not shown), the lower end 8 of
the seismic drilling bit 2 can have a cutting portion positioned
on only one side of the lower end 8 of the seismic drilling bit
2.
In a still further embodiment (not shown), the bit body 4 of
the seismic drilling bit 2 has a diameter (and cutting radius)
that is less than that of the drill hole, with the cutting
portions 10, of course, still having a greater outermost width
(and cutting radius) than that of the bit body 4. In this manner,
with the bit body 4 of the seismic drilling bit 2 having a width
that is less than that of the drill hole, the initial insertion
of the seismic drilling bit 2 into the drill hole is made easier,
whereby the bit does not need to be as readily forcibly inserted.
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With reference to Figure 2, the drill stop member 5,
preferably, has an opening 6 defined therethrough, and is used
for receiving an insertion of the seismic drilling bit 2. Figure
2 illustrates the upper end 30 of the drill stop member 5 has a
shape which corresponds substantially to a shape of the cutting
portion 10 of the bit body 2 for receiving the insertion of the
bit body therethrough. With reference to Figure 3, it can be seen
that the lower end 32 of the drill stop member 5 has an opening
greater than that of the upper end 30, so as to permit limited
tilting movement of the bit body from its vertical axis within
the drill stop member 5 during the drilling process to further
enlarge a lowermost end of the drill hole, it being understood
that this tilting rotational drilling of the lower end of the
drill hole by the drill bit 2 within the drill stop member 5 can
be done through 360 degrees. This rotational movement can be seen
with reference to Figure 11, whereby the lower end of the drill
hole 45 can be seen to be funnel-shaped, for receiving anchors
therein.
Preferably, the opening in the drill stop member 5 is
positioned at a substantially central location of the drill stop
member 5. The drill stop member 5 aids in the accurate and
gradual insertion of the seismic drilling bit 2 into the drill
hole. The drill stop member 5 further comprises a dust exit
opening 3 defined therein for allowing dust to be removed from
the assembly during the drilling process, the dust exit opening 3
being positioned at substantially a middle portion of the drill
stop member 5.
The seismic tool assembly 1 further comprises, with
reference to Figures 4 to 7, a stabilizer 7 for receiving, and
having mounted thereon, the drill stop member 5. The stabilizer 7
comprises a flange portion 15 constructed and arranged to extend
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into the drill hole and abut an inside portion thereof. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the flange portion 15 of the
stabilizer 7 could be tapered at a distal end thereof so as to
further aid in the accurate and gradual insertion of the seismic
drilling bit 2 into the drill hole. In a preferred embodiment,
and with reference to Figure 6, side portions of the flange
portion 15 have an elongated opening 44 defined along a length
thereof, for allowing passage of the cutting portion of the bit
body when the bit body is inserted through the stabilizer 7.
The stabilizer 7 further comprises an upper portion 34
integrally connected to the flange portion 15, the upper portion
34 having, with reference to Figure 7, a recessed upper surface
36 for receiving the drill stop member 5 mounted thereon. With
further reference to Figure 4, it can be seen that the central
opening 38 on the stabilizer 7 has a shape which corresponds
substantially to a shape of the cutting portion 10 of the bit
body for receiving, and allowing therethrough, the insertion of
the seismic drilling bit 2.
Preferably, the stabilizer 7 has the central opening 38
which corresponds with each of the openings of the drill stop
member 5 and the drill hole, it being understood that the drill
stop member 5 restricts downward drilling movement of the seismic
drilling bit 2 into the drill hole to a pre-set depth.
The seismic assembly of the present invention further
comprises locking means 40, which are positioned substantially
around the flange portion 15 of the stabilizer 7 for selectively
stabilizing the seismic drilling bit 2 and for preventing
disassembly of the seismic drilling bit 2 from the drill stop
member 5 and the stabilizer 7. In a preferred embodiment, the
locking means 40 is a substantially circular ring which at least
partially encircles an outside of the flange portion 15, the
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locking means 40 being slidably movable to restrict disengagement
of the seismic drilling bit 2 from the stabilizer 7 and the drill
stop member 5 mounted thereon. Figure 4 illustrates the locking
means 40 in a substantially open position to receive an insertion
of the bit body 2 therethrough, and Figure 5 illustrates the
locking means 40 in a substantially closed position, having been
slightly rotated so as to cover the elongated opening 44 in the
side portions of the flange portion 15, and thus restrict the
disengagement of the bit body 2 from the interconnected drill
stop member 5 and stabilizer 7. The interconnection of the
stabilizer 7 to the drill stop member 5 can be plainly seen in
Figure 8.
In operation, and as seen in Figure 10, the drill stop
member 5 is mounted upon the stabilizer 7, and the seismic
drilling bit 2 is inserted through the openings in the drill stop
member 5 and the stabilizer 7. Of course, seismic drilling bit 2
is to be rotatably mounted onto a drill (not shown), and the
assembly is positioned over a surface where a drill hole is to be
made. Once the seismic drilling bit 2 is sunk to a pre-set depth
and rotated, rotational drilling (and tilted rotational drilling
as previously described) by the seismic drilling bit 2 can then
be effected in creating an enlarged area of the lowermost end of
a drill hole.
Of course, by virtue of the cutting portions 10 having an
outermost width (and operational cutting radius) that is slightly
greater than that of the bit body 4 (or of the drill hole), these
cutting portions 10, when the seismic drilling bit 2 is rotated,
enlarge a circumference of the drill hole at the lowermost end
(in creating the enlarged area) that is greater than that of the
remainder of the drill hole. In this manner, once the enlarged
area has been created, and the seismic drilling bit 2 removed
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from the drill hole, the anchor (not shown) can be inserted, and,
when the anchors have been flanged outwardly by conventional
means within the drill hole, the flange portions of the anchor
can rest within the enlarged area, thus securely retaining the
anchor in place.
In a still further embodiment (not shown) the bit body 4 of
the seismic drilling bit 2 can be tapered, to have a narrower
circumference than that of the lowermost end of the bit body. In
this manner, the tapered drill bit allows for less physical
contact with the drill stop member 5 and increases the range of
motion of the seismic drilling bit 2 in permitting limited
tilting movement of the bit to enlarge a lowermost end of the
drill hole 6. It will also be understood that the seismic
drilling bit 2 can come in several set depths, or the drill stop
member 5 itself could be adjustable through a set screw.
In a still further embodiment (not shown), the drill stop
member 5 is integrally mounted upon the stabilizer 7, and the
seismic drilling bit 2 is inserted through the openings in the
drill stop member 5 and the stabilizer 7. In this manner, the
drill stop member 5 is permanently connected and un-detachably
mounted upon the stabilizer 7, and the seismic drilling bit 2 is
permanently inserted through the openings of the drill stop
member 5 and the stabilizer 7 so as to be of a permanently
connected one-piece construction.
It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that
various modifications and variations may be made to the
embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present
invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
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Other embodiments consistent with the present invention will
become apparent from consideration of the specification and the
practice of the invention disclosed therein.
Accordingly, the specification and the embodiments are to be
considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the
invention being disclosed by the following claims.
