Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CHANNEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a channel device formed from a metal or
metallic material for the fixation of construction elements thereto, generally
for the
construction industry. More particularly, the present invention relates to
fixation of a
channel device to a structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various channel devices of conventional type are known that are
manufactured by the process of die casting, cold rolling, or hot rolling,
which
comprise a channel rail having a hollow interior and one or more anchor shafts
attached thereto. Channel devices, as known within the prior art, are
attachable to a
structure, such as a concrete or steel structure, and allow the fixation of
other
construction elements, such as panels thereto, so as to engage the
construction
elements with the structure.
The anchor shafts attached to the exterior surface of the web of the channel
and embedded into the concrete. A T-shape bolt (hereinafter called T-bolt) can
be
inserted into the gap between the return legs of two flanges of the anchor
channel rail,
whose head is fixed within the flanges. Since the inner surfaces of both the T-
bolt
head and the channel wall are smooth, such type of anchoring device cannot
effectively prevent a shift of the T-bolt along the channel. Moreover, the
channel
anchor shafts of above mentioned type are normally larger in size and may
sometimes
conflict with the reinforced concrete installation, in particular with the
outermost layer
of steel reinforcement bars.
As known, another common way of attaching other construction elements to a
concrete structure is to use an embedded steel part comprising a steel plate
with steel
re-bars attached to the back. The embedded steel part is cast into the
concrete only
with the 'face of the steel plate exposed. The construction element is
attached to a set
of steel brackets, which are attached in sequence onto the exposed face of the
embedded steel part by site welding. Comparatively, the size and weight of the
embedded steel part is much larger and heavier than that of the steel channel
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mentioned above so as to bear the same amount of load. Moreover, the steel re-
bars
required on the embedded steel part are also more in quantity and longer in
length and
thus causing much more interference to reinforced concrete installation.
For other structures, for example steel structures whereby a channel may be
required
to be fixed to a steel construction member, within the prior art such channels
may be
welded directly to the steel structure by on site welding.
Such channel devices must comply with various building codes and standards, so
as to
securely maintain engagement and fixation of construction elements with a
structure.
Furthermore, such channels must be securely fixed to the structure so as to
ensure that
the construction elements are maintained in place, and that environmental
factors such
as moisture, rain, high wind forces, seismic activity, do not compromise the
integrity
of fixation, as loosening of construction elements may have severe
consequences to
surrounding persons and property.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a channel
anchoring device which substantially ameliorates at lease some of the
deficiencies as
exhibited by those of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a channel anchoring device
having predetermined structural properties, for securing construction elements
to a
metallic structure, the anchoring device comprising:
a generally elongate metallic channel rail having an engagement surface for
engagement with a fastener, the fastener providing fixation of a construction
element
to the channel rail;
a generally elongate metallic fixation member abutted against and engaged
with said channel rail, said fixation member being formed from a material
suitable for
allowing welded fixation of the anchoring device to a structure;
characterised in that the fixation member and the channel rail are engaged by
a
riveting process such that the predetermined structural properties of the
channel rail
are not altered by heat generated during the riveting process; and
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the fixation member is sized such that the predetermined structural properties
of the channel rail are not altered by heat generated from welding of the
anchoring
device via the fixation member to a structure.
Preferably the fixation member is engaged with the channel rail by a plurality
of rivet members extending through the fixation member and through at least a
portion of the channel rail.
Preferably, the channel rail is of a hollow "C" cross section having a pair
inwardly opposed flanges, said flange being separated so as to allow passage
of the
shank of a fastener therebetween, said fastener having a head of size greater
than the
shank and sized so as to be disposed within the channel and adapted to abut
with
engagement surfaces located adjacent the flanges upon being urged against the
engagement surfaces upon application of tension to the fastener
Preferably, the channel rail is formed from hot-rolled steel or steel material
by
a hot rolling process, and the fixation member is formed from hot-rolled steel
or steel
material by a hot rolling process. The fixation process may be a hot riveting
process.
The engagement surfaces of the flanges preferably includes a plurality of
laterally disposed serrations, said plurality of serration extending
longitudinally along
the length of the channel rail. The fastener is preferably a T-bolt, and the
head of T-
bolt includes serration adapted for cooperative and complimentary engagement
with
the serrations of the flanges. The width of the head of the T-bolt is
preferably greater
than the internal width of the channel rail, so as to prevent continuous
rotation of the
T-bolt about its axis.
Preferably the channel rail and fixation member each have a corresponding
series of
apertures extending therethrough, so as to allow passage of the rivets
therethrough, a
least the apertures of fixation member including a rebated portion to allow a
portion
of the rivets when forged to be located therein. The rebate may be a
countersunk or
counterbore section.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a channel anchoring device
for construction industry, which comprises a channel rail with a hollow
interior and a
T-bolt, anchor shafts or steel base plates attached onto the exterior surface
of the web
of the channel rail, the channel anchoring device with anchor shafts is
suitable to be
embedded into a concrete structure, while the channel anchoring device with
steel
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base plates is suitable to be welded onto a steel structure, the T-bolts are
inserted into
a gap between the return legs of two flanges of the channel rail;
characterized in that
the said channel rail with a hollow interior is an anchor channel, preferably
manufactured from hot-rolled steel or steel material by the process of hot
rolling; the
said flanges of two legs of anchor channel are separated from each other, the
width of
the gap is slightly larger than the diameter of the shank of inserted T-bolt,
and the
head of T-bolt is locked within the flanges of two legs of anchor channel; on
the inner
surface of the said flanges of two legs of anchor channel, continuously
outspread
serrations are arranged respectively; on the lower surface of the said head of
T-bolt,
continuously outspread serrations are arranged; the serrations of T-bolt head
connect
with the serrations on the flanges of two legs of anchor channel in an engaged
lock.
Preferably the anchor shaft is attached to the anchor channel has a smooth
shaft shank, a shaft base and a shaft head, the shaft head is a protruded one
in the
shape of disc, whose area is larger than that of the shaft base.
Preferably the base of anchor shaft is welded to install onto the web of
anchor
channel, namely the base is installed onto the exterior face of the web of
anchor
channel by means of electric are fusion welding firstly, then the rim of base
is
attached to the wall of anchor channel by means of fillet welding.
Preferably the base plates attached to the anchor channel are in the form of
square or rectangle.
Preferably the base plates can be attached to the anchor-channel with hot
rivets.
Preferably the head of T-bolt is a bolt head in the form of parallelogram, the
serrations are respectively arranged on the lower surface of two shorter side
portions
of the bolt head.
Preferably the serrations of T-bolt head enjoy the same size and tooth space
with the serrations on the return legs of two flanges of the anchor channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further
detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying
drawings,
in which:-
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FIG. 1 is the side view of an embodiment of a channel anchoring device
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is the cross sectional view of C-C in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is the side view of one embodiment of the channel rail of the anchoring
device applicable to the first and second aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is the cross sectional view of A-A in FIG. 3
FIG. 5 is the cross sectional view of B-B in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is the structural view of the T-bolt of the channel anchoring device in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is the top view of the T-bolt showed in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is the detailed structural view of the T-bolt with serrations in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a
channel anchoring device according to the present invention. The channel
anchoring
device 100 includes a generally elongate channel rail 110 and a generally
elongate
fixation member 120. The fixation member 120 is abutted against the channel
rail
110 so that the two form a unitary structure that forms the anchoring device
100. The
channel rail 110 and fixation member 120 are joined by a series of rivets 130,
which
extend longitudinally along the length of the anchoring device 100. A
plurality of
apertures 140 extend through the channel rail 110 and a complimentary series
of
apertures 150 extend through the fixation member, the apertures providing
passage for
the rivets 130 to extend therethrough.
The apertures 150 of the fixation member 130 may be countable, countersunk
or the like so as to allow the rivets 130 to be contained therein upon being
forged, so
as to provide a surface of the fixation member which is free of protrusions
from the
rivets 130, which allows for the anchoring device to be abutted against a
metallic
structure 160 to which it is to be attached.
The anchoring device 100 is fixed to the metallic structure 160 by welds 170
as depicted in Fig. 2. The welds 170, are implemented on-site when the
anchoring
device is implemented within the application as desired or required. As is
known and
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will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, anchoring devices 100 as in
the present
invention must withstand large tensile and sheer loads experienced due to
loads
placed upon the construction elements for which the anchoring devices 100 must
secure to a structure.
Various building and construction codes exist throughout the world, and these
musbe vigorously complied with when providing and utilizing anchoring devices
due
to safety requirements. Non-compliance and failure of such devices may result
in loss
of lift and loss or damage to property, both of which have significant adverse
effects
and are considered unacceptable.
The anchoring device 100 must secure the structural elements, securely and
the manner in which the structural elements are secured channel rail 110 of
the
anchoring device 100 is described further below in detail with respect to
Figs. 3-8.
However, as is known by those skilled in the art, channel rails in the present
technical
field must not be affected by any factors which may compromise their
structural or
strength integrity, due to the consequences as recited above.
The present invention, by providing a fixation member 120 which is formed
and provided separately from the channel rail 110 provides for removing heat
concentration during the welding process, thus substantially ameliorating any
heat
effect from welding which may compromise the integrity of the rail channel
110.
Very high tensile loads are placed upon the channel rail 110 in practice, as
will
be appreciated and known by those skilled in the art, and it is paramount to
not affect
the structural properties of the channel rail 110 during the fixation process.
Further, by using a riveting process which may be a hot rivet process, the
present invention provides a readily formable anchoring device which overcomes
the
problem of heat damage to the channel rail 110 whilst allowing for ease of
manufacture and formation of the anchoring device 100.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that formation and manufacture of a
channel rail 100 which is suitably sized, toleranced, and includes the
requisite features
so as to secure construction elements to a structure is of high position, and
such
devices are typically formed by a hot rolling process wherein the
manufacturing
process has been optimized so as to provide and produce a suitable channel
rail. As
those will also be appreciated, by welding such a channel rail directly to a
metallic
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structure apply excess heat to the channel rail which will affect the pre-
defined
mechanical and structural properties of that channel rail.
Thus, by providing a fixation member 120 as in the present invention, the
anchoring device 100 allows the utilization of a channel rail 110 in
conjunction with a
metallic structure, such as an I-beam or RSJ type structure, those of which
are
prevalent in the construction industry.
Thus, the present invention allows implementation of channel rails in such
applications, so as to allow construction elements, such as curtain walls, to
be
implemented in the construction industry, whilst not compromising upon
structural
integrity or human and property safety.
Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that by providing a
series
of rivet-type engagement mechanisms between the channel rail 110 and the
fixation
member 120, would not adversely affect production costs or time, as such a
process
may be easily automated, and not impact upon production or delivery time.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that although a single series of
rivets has been used to engage the channel rail 110 with the fixation member
120,
other arrangements or even fixation members may be implemented, without
departing
from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will
appreciate
that when implementing such a rivet arrangement, it is necessary to provide
rivets
formed from an appropriate material such as steel which are also appropriately
sized
so as to maintain the load requirements as experienced by a anchoring device
100 in
typical and adverse industrial applications. For example, such rivets may have
a
diameter in typical applications of 8-10 kilometres and be utilized in a
countersunk
process.
Referring now to FIG 3. to FIG. 8, one a channel rail 110 which may be
implemented in the anchoring device 100 of them present invention is depicted.
In
should be understood and noted that although the channel rail is depicted in
reference
to being used in conjunction with members which allow embedding in concrete in
other construction applications in accordance with other aspects of the
present
invention, the features of the channel rail are equally applicable to the
embodiment of
the first aspect as depicted in reference to FIG 1 and 2, and no limitations
should be
inferred by the depiction of the members for embedding on concrete.
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The channel rail 110 is a channel rail 110 with a hollow interior, which is
made from hot rolled steel or stainless steel material by the process of hot-
rolling.
The two flanges 13 of the anchor channel 110 are separated from each other,
and the
T-bolt 5 is inserted into the gap 11 between two flanges 13 of the anchor
channel 110,
the width of the said gap 11 is slightly larger than the diameter of the shank
of
inserted T-bolt 5, the head of T-bolt 5 is locked within the return legs 13 of
two
flanges of the anchor channel 1.
On the inner surface of the two flanges 13 of the anchor channel 110 are
laterally extending serrations 14 which are arranged in a servies
longitudinally along
the length of the channel rail 110. The serrations in this embodiment which
form the
toothed surfaces 15.
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 specifically, on the lower surface of the head
of
T-bolt 5, continuously outspread serrations 52 are also arranged; the
serrations 52 of
T-bolt 5 head enjoy the same size and tooth space with the serrations 14 on
the
flanges 13 of two legs of the channel rail 110. The serrations 52 of T-bolt 5
head
connect with the serrations 14 on the flanges 13 of two legs of the anchor
channel 1 in
the engaged lock.
Referring to FIG. 5, the head of T-bolt 5 is a bolt head 51 in the form of
parallelogram, the serrations 52 are respectively arranged on the lower
surface of two
shorter side portions of the bolt head 51. The head. 51 of T-bolt 5 is
designed as
parallelogram, so that the T-bolt 5 can be turned easily after it has been
inserted into
the gap 11 of the anchor channel 1, thus the serrations 52 on the head 51 of T-
bolt 5
can be engaged to lock onto the serrations 14 of the return legs 13 of two
flanges of
the anchor channel 1. When the T-bolt 5 is locked onto the anchor channel 1,
nuts can
be used to screw it down after another element has been attached with the bolt
(Not
shown). Therefore, the T-bolt 5 is completely locked by both the serrations 14
on the
anchor channel 1 and the serrations 52 on the bolt head 51, which will not be
slid
towards any directions under the permitted working load.
Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 the anchor shaft 2 attached to the anchor
channel
1 having smooth shaft shank 22, shaft base 21 and shaft head 23, the shaft
head 23 is a
protruded one in the shape of disc, whose area is larger than the area of
shaft base 21.
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The base 21 of anchor shaft 2 is welded to install on the web 12 of the anchor
channel 1, namely the base 21 is installed onto the wall 12 of the anchor
channel 1 by
means of electric are fusion welding 4, then the rim of shaft base 21 is
attached to the
wall 12 of the anchor channel 1 by means of fillet welding 3, namely the
fillet welding
3 is performed around the rim of shaft base 21. Thus, the anchor shaft 2 can
be
installed on the anchor channel 1 firmly through said twice welding, to secure
the
safety sufficiently. This dual-weld configuration increases the factor of
safety and
provides significant advantages. It must be understood that in accordance with
this
aspect of the invention, the fusion weld is first effect, which is then
followed by the
fillet weld. This is a commercially advantageous process from a manufacturing
standpoint. Further, by having more than twice the factor of safety as a
single weld,
safety has been assured. Further, the fillet weld protects the fusion weld
from
oxidation and environmental factors. Also, the combination of welds increases
both
the tensile load and sheer load capabilities.
Accordingly, for the common skilled technician in the art, it is to be
understood that the said embodiments have been described only for the present
invention and not for purposes of limitation on the present invention. Within
the
actual spirit and scope of the invention, any variation for the embodiment in
the form
and details that will be subject to the range of the invention claims.
Therefore, the
invention is limited only by the appended claims.
While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples
or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that those
are
examples to assist understanding of the present invention and are not meant to
be
restrictive. Variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to
persons skilled
in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be considered as
equivalents
of this invention.
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