GB2579625A - An improved anchoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchoring device 30, such as a scaffolding ring or eye bolt, comprises a first anchor portion 32 with threads disposed around a central axis 44 of the anchoring device. A second functional head portion 38 defines at least one opening or aperture and is disposed atop the first anchor portion. At least one engagement formation 50 is disposed on the head portion and is centered on the central axis. The engagement formation has a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to a rotationally driven screw or nut drive tool that applies a torque around the central axis. The anchor may be of a unitary construction. The engagement formation may be a hexagonal nut or may be circular with a recess having the shape of a conventional screw drive. The functional head portion may have a continuous periphery defining a circular shape. Also claimed is a forming component such as a die, cast or mould for manufacturing the anchoring device, and a method of manufacturing the device using the forming component.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1819970.3 RTM Date:24 blay 2019 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: M ortorq Torq Torq-set Robertson Torx Torx Plus Bristol Quadrex Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo An Improved Anchoring Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a an improved anchoring device, in particular one adapted for use in substantially solid walls, ceilings floors and other structures, herein referred to as primary structures, into or to which anchoring devices are commonly screwed, forcibly driven or otherwise connected and whereby the anchoring device is securely affixed to the primary structure so it can provide an anchoring function for some secondary structure, device, component or article which is subsequently secured or connected to the free, exposed end of anchoring device, and which usually stands proud of the surface of the primary structure. Most specifically, the present invention is particularly concemed with anchoring devices known as ring or eye bolts which are commonly used to anchor temporary scaffolding structures to building walls. However, although the following description is provided with almost exclusive reference to ring/eye bolts and their particular utility as regards scaffolding, it should be understood that the present invention has significantly wider application, and it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the following description that the present invention may find application and utility for any type of anchoring device which comprises at least an anchoring portion, typically in the form of an externally threaded shank, by means of which the anchoring device may be secured to and retained by a primary structure, and a functional head portion which is suited, designed, shaped or otherwise configured according to the secondary structure, device, component or other article which is subsequently to be connected thereto.

Background to the Invention

Ring or eye bolts, hook anchors and the like (hereinafter collectively termed "ring bolts") are well known and already in widespread use, particularly in the scaffolding industry where it is essential that the temporary scaffolding structure which is to be erected adjacent any primary structure, most commonly a building wall constituted of bricks or blocks, is securely anchored to that wall for obvious safety reasons. Avast array of different types of ring bolts currently exists, for a wide variety of different applications, including scaffolding, but in general all such ring bolts comprise two portions, a first anchor portion being that which effectively and securely anchors the ring bolt to the wall, and a second head or functional portion provided towards or at one end of the anchor portion and by means of which some other component or structure can be easily connected to the ring bolt and thus, in turn, the wall within which it is anchored.

For scaffolding ring bolts in particular, which are usually of one-piece or unitary construction and commonly manufactured by a drawing or forging process, the functional portion consists of a circular or elliptical ring of material which sits atop and extends upwardly away from one end of anchor portion, which is most cases is an elongate externally threaded shank. An important feature of common ring bolts, as far as scaffolding is concerned at least, is that the axis of the eyelet or aperture which passes through the centre of the circular or elliptical ringed portion is usually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank portion. This configuration ensures that, once the ring bolt has been affixed to the wall, the ringed portion of the bolt stands proud of the wall structure and a scaffold hook or other suitable hooked coupler can be quickly and easily inserted through the eyelet or aperture. In terms of relevant prior art, attention is drawn to GB2039233, GB2090360, and GB2245673 all of which disclose different types of scaffolding ring bolts, and EP252107 which discloses an alternative forrn of scaffolding anchor device.

For all scaffolding installations other than basic free standing structures, each level of the scaffolding structure is required to be anchored to the wall, and the extent of such anchoring is governed, in the UK at least by certain British Standards and European Standards. Of particular relevance to scaffolding are: - BS EN 12811-12003, covering, in particular, scaffolding anchoring requirements, - BS EN74-1:2005 covering the requirements for scaffolding couplers, in particular, scaffold hooks, and BS 8539:2012, entitled "Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry", and which is the primary reference for both users and designers of various different types of anchors including, in particular, scaffolding ring bolts.

As far as anchoring requirements are concerned, in the context of this application it is worth mentioning that for a relatively standard scaffolding structure, for example being over 10m in length (i.e. the distance the structure extends along the wall it is adjacent), at least one anchor must be used every 4m, and this base level requirement increases (i.e. the anchors required increases progressively) with as the structure rises above a ground or base level, and one or more additional levels are erected. Furthermore, the above Standards in some cases also require that ring bolts be disposed of after any first use, so in theory at least, each and every scaffolding ring bolt used in any scaffolding structure must never have been used before. For larger scaffolding structures therefore, such as are typically seen surrounding entire buildings, these requirements can be quite onerous in terms of both cost and labour.

To explain further, the fixing of any single ring bolt to a concrete or masonry wall is, for a standard ring bolt at least, a three stage process. Firstly, a hole of suitable diameter must be drilled in the wall. Secondly, a Rawlplug ® or other suitable resilient plastics material expandable insert is then inserted completely into the drill hole. Thirdly, and finally, the usually pointed end of the elongate shank of the ring bolt is then disposed within the opening of the plastics insert disposed within the drill hole whereupon the ring bolt is forcibly manually screwed into the insert up unto a point where the majority of the elongate shank of the bolt is embedded within the insert and essentially only a small portion of the shank and the ring itself stand proud of the wall. As the skilled reader will understand, the screwing of the ring bolt into the plastics insert progressively expands the insert inside the drill hole, and it is largely the deformation of the plastics insert and the compression thereof against the interior surfaces of the drill hole exerted by the shank of the ring bolt that ensures the ring bolt is securely anchored to and within the wall. Naturally, the progressive screwing of the ring bolt, and thus its shank, into the insert requires progressively increasing amounts of torque applied to the ring bolt, and this torsional insertion force is an important indicator of the overall strength of the anchor, in particular the force which would be required to completely directly pull the ring bolt out and away from its anchored position, e.g. if the anchor were to catastrophically fail. Indeed, for certain scaffolding installations, the abovementioned Standards demand that for any ring bolt in the installation, some prescribed minimum torsional insertion force must be attained when the ring bolt is being screwed in.

Currently at least, the screwing of ring bolts into wall and other structures within and to which they are anchored as described above is a completely manual process. Initially, the ringed portion of the ring bolt is gripped in thumb-and-forefinger fashion and the ring bolt is forcibly screwed, as far as is possible while held in this manner, into the plastic insert. Obviously, unassisted human force of this type is really only suitable for initially locating the ring bolt within the plastics material insert and rotating it until the threads begin to bite on plastics insert, thus ensuring that the ring bolt does not immediately drop out. For any more significant anchor to be achieved, scaffolding operatives use a mechanically advantageous device known as a scaffold spanner, wrench or "podgern having an elongate handle terminating at a pointed free end, and which is provided with a conventional spanner or socket at its altemate end. In modem scaffolding, the standard size of the vast majority of nuts and bolts used is 21mm (or 7/16 inch), and therefore it is quite common for the spanner or socket of any podger to be accordingly sized. Podgers such as described have two primary functions. Firstly, self-evidently, their function is that of a conventional spanner, wrench or (in some cases) a ratchet Their second primary function is to provide a mechanically advantageous means of applying a torque, particularly in the context of this application, to a ring bolt Indeed, the primary reason that a podger having an elongate handle terminating at a pointed end is used in scaffolding is so that it is relatively easy to both locate and then insert the pointed free end of the handle into the eyelet or aperture of the ringed portion of a ring bolt The diameter of the podger handle is usually appropriately sized so that practically the entire handle length can pass through the ring bolt eyelet or aperture until the spanner or socket formation at the altemate end comes into contact with the ringed portion and prevents any further travel. In this position, the operative can grasp the free end of the podger and rotate it, thereby achieving a mechanically advantageous means of screwing the ring bolt into the plastics insert already disposed within the wall. Naturally, the extent of the mechanical advantage is determined by the length of the podger handle, as the torque which can be manually applied in this fashion is fundamentally dependent on the radial distance that the manual force applied by the operative through the podger is distant from the axis of rotation of the ring bolt as it is screwed into the wall. In view of the requirements of abovementioned Standards regarding specific torques applicable to ring bolts, some podgers can additionally function as torque wrenches, and can provide some indication of the amount of torque currently being applied. For reference, one prior art example of a podger device is shown in G32267670.

As will be appreciated from the above, although the podger provides operatives with the required mechanical advantage to enable ring bolts to be sufficiently screwed into the plastics material insert and thus securely anchored to the wall, it still takes an operative a significant amount of to screw the ring bolt into the wall, because the operative must grasp the free end of the podger handle and then move his hands around a notional circle having a diameter approximately equal to the length of the podger handle. Although a longer the podger handle will produce a greater the mechanical advantage, the force applied by operative must necessarily travel a greater distance to achieve one single full rotation of the ring bolt As will be understood from the foregoing, the installation of ring bolts in wall structures is not only critical as regards the scaffolding structures they provide anchoring for, but it is also quite laborious. The average time taken to install a single ring bolt can easily take 5-10 minutes, and possibly more, and when it is considered that larger scaffolding structures may require 100s if not 1000s of ring bolts, the costs, in terms of both labour and the ring bolts themselves, can be significant It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved ring bolt which can be installed significantly more quickly than conventional ring bolts.

One of the aspects of modem ring bolts and other forms of anchoring device which renders them somewhat difficult to manipulate, particularly as regards obtaining sufficient mechanical purchase on their ringed or otherwise functional ends such that the bolt or device can be screwed into some other structure or component, is the arcuate or otherwise non-uniform shape of their functional end portions. In the specific case of ring bolts, attempts have been made to overcome this difficulty by providing dedicated ring bolt socket devices which can in turn be connected to a wrench or ratchet handle by conventional means. In the case of hook-shaped anchors, complementarily shaped "hook driver'. socket attachments are also known. In both cases, the socket device essentially includes a slot or other opening which receives some portion of the ringed portion or hooked portion of the anchoring device, so that any torque which is to be subsequently applied, for example if the anchoring device is to be screwed some other structure or component, is applied through socket and in turn to lateral portions of the ringed or hooked end formation of the anchoring device which the socket comes into contact with. The primary disadvantage of such components is that they are entirely non-standard and therefore represent an additional cost. Furthermore, such components are often specifically designed for the ring bolt or other anchoring device with which they are to interact yet further their cost. A yet further disadvantage of such components, as regards the efficacy of transmitting a torque to the anchoring device, is that any such torque is transmitted directly through the functional head portions of the anchoring devices because, in essence, the socket-style components effectively receive part or all of the functional head portion of the device. This can be problematic for a variety of reasons, not least of which, in the particular case of ring bolts, is that (much like the use of podgers as described above), exerting a torque directly through the ringed portion of the bolt, and at only relatively few direct contact points, inevitably significantly increases the stress in the ringed portion at those contact points, which can damage the ring portion in the region of those contact points, for example by introducing hairline fractures, zones of plasticity and the like.

It is therefore a yet further object of the present invention to mitigate the abovementioned difficulties and disadvantages, and to provide a modified form of anchoring device which is intrinsically simply, easy and quick to install by scaffolding operatives without the need to acquire or utilise any additional non-standard or unconventional equipment

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an anchoring device comprising a first anchor portion provided with thread-like engagement means disposed around a screw axis which substantially coincides the central axis of the anchoring device, and a second functional head portion disposed atop said first anchor portion and extending generally upwardly therefrom, said second functional head portion defining therein at least one opening or aperture around which said functional head portions is substantially formed, said opening or aperture having a central axis which is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of anchoring device, Characterised in that The anchoring device is provided with at least one engagement formation disposed substantially over that extremity of the second functional head portion which lies on the central axis of the anchoring device, said engagement formation being of a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to a rotationally driven conventional screw or nut drive tool which may thus be easily connected to said formation or inserted within it said cross-sectional shape having its centroid substantially coincident with the central axis of the anchoring device such that any axial force applied to the engagement formation is transmitted to and effectively ultimately applied along the central axis of the anchoring device and any torque applied to said engagement formation acts around that axis.

Preferably, the anchoring device is of essentially unitary construction in that all of the first and second portions and the engagement formation are all formed together when the anchoring device is formed.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is hexagonal.

In the most preferred arrangement, the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is hexagonal, and the engagement formation takes the form of a conventional nut which in most preferred embodiments has a signifying dimension of one of 21mm and 7/16" (these being effectively metric and imperial equivalents).

It should be mentioned at this stage that although the anchoring device is most preferably completely formed in a single forming step, it is possible that the thread-like engagement means of the first anchoring portion may be formed in a separate, subsequent forming step, and as is common for certain types of one-piece articles manufactured by forging, moulding, casting and similar forming processes. Notwithstanding this variation, it is an important aspect of the present invention that the entire article, whether provided with thread-like engagement means or not, is fundamentally formed as a result of a single forming step, as this ensures that the anchoring devices so formed are not only inexpensive, but also that the first and second portions, and the second portion and the engagement formation are essentially all part of the same article. This increases the overall structural strength of the device, and furthermore reduces the possibility that any one of these three separate portions or formations will subsequently shear off from the adjacent portion or formation, and of which it essentially forms an integral part. The skilled reader will understand that this advantage is particularly important in the context of ring bolts of the present invention which are formed with what is essentially a hexagonal nut on the extremity of the ringed portion of the bolt, and to which a drive socket may be connected, and which in tum may be directly electrically driven by a conventional electric screwdriver. In such cases, it is important that the hexagonal nut formation of the ring bolt be capable of withstanding the significant torsional forces to which it will inevitably be subjected as the ring bolt is screwed into some support structure such as a wall by the screwdriver, or indeed a conventional socket ratchet or simple spanner. This advantage, and others, will become further apparent from the specific description of this application provided below.

Notwithstanding the above, it is possible, in some embodiments, for the engagement formation to be an initially separate component which is welded or brazed to, or swaged from, the anchoring device subsequent to the initial formation thereof Most preferably, the second functional head portion of the anchoring device is has a continuous periphery, and is preferably of substantially uniform thickness substantially around its entire periphery such that said functional head portion defines an interior aperture having a shape which corresponds to that of the second function head portion as a whole. Most preferably, the second functional head portion is largely circular, and the interior aperture it defines is similarly circular in shape.

Most preferably the central axis of the aperture or other opening defined by and within the second functional head portion of the anchoring device both coincides with the central axis of the anchoring device as a whole and is perpendicular to that central axis.

In some embodiments, the first anchor portion of the anchoring device preferably takes the form of an elongate shank around the exterior surface of which are provided the thread-like engagement means. Preferably, said elongate shank diminishes in diameter proximate or towards its free end such that said shank is provided with some degree of tapering. In most preferred embodiments, the taper at or proximate the free end of the elongate shank is such that the elongate shank is pointed. In preferred embodiments, the thread-like engagement means are conventional, uniform pitch single helical thread formations, and in other embodiments the thread-like engagement means may comprise screw threads which are one or more of: varying pitch, varying height, varying depth, self-tapping, and double ExcaliburTM screw threads.

In other embodiments, the first anchor portion of the anchoring device preferably takes the form of a bulbous formation within the interior of which is provided an interiorly threaded bore, the screw axis of essentially defines the central axis of the anchoring device. Obviously this arrangement is essentially the mechanical inversion of an exteriorly threaded elongate shank, and facilitates connection of the anchoring device to another structure in which a suitably threaded shank has already been partially embedded such that a portion of that threaded shank stands proud of the structure allowing screwing connection of this type of anchoring device thereto.

In other preferred embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is one of, triangular, quadrangular, pentangular, elliptical, or some other geometric shape other than a circle.

In yet further preferred embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is circular, and within the boundary of the engagement formation defined by its circular exterior periphery is provided at least one non-circular recess adapted to receive a rotationally driven conventional tool whereby the anchoring device can be rotationally driven, said recess being of a complementary shape to any one of the following conventional screw drive shapes: slot, cross, cruciform (PhillipsTM), FrearsonTM, French Recess, JIS B 1012, Mortord", PozidriveTM, PozidrivTM, Su pad rivTM, TOMITM, Torq-set", Phillips-SlottedTM, Square Extemal, RobertsonTM, Hex Extemal, 12-Point extemal, Hex Socket (AIIenTM key), Security hex, Double Square, Triple Square, 12-spline flange, Double Hex, TorxTM, TorxTM Tamperproof, TorxTM Plus, Polydrive, Extemal TorxTM, Line head male, Line head female, Line head female tamper, Tri-angle, Td-point, Tri-groove, Tri-wing, Clutch A Clutch G, One-way Clutch, BristolTM, QuadrexTM, Pentalobe.

Preferably the anchoring device is one of: a ring bolt, an eye bolt, a scaffolding ring bolt, a lifting bolt, a threaded hook.

Most preferably, anchoring device is manufactured by forging, casting, moulding or otherwise forming a single billet, workpiece, slug or other single unit of material, within at least one die, cast, or mould as the case may be. In most preferred embodiments, the anchoring device is manufactured from a single billet of material initially disposed between respective pairs of closed forging dies which, when compressively brought together around said billet, repeatedly if necessary, for example in a hammering process, to cause deformation thereof into the shape of the anchoring device dictated by the shape of the recesses provided with one or both of said dies. It is to be understood that, although forging, casting and moulding are of course well-known and widely practised processes, this invention should be considered as extending to, and specifically covering any forging die, cast, or mould specifically created for the manufacture of an anchoring device as described herein.

Accordingly, in a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a forming component for manufacturing an anchoring device and being one of a die, cast, or mould, said forming component including a shaped recess therein, said recess consisting of at least a first anchor forming recess portion, and a second functional head forming recess portion in communication with said first recess portion and extending generally away therefrom, said second recess portion having therein at least one substantially central proud standing projection which, together with the side walls of said second recess portion, defines a channel, at least some part of which is off-axis as regards a central longitudinal axis of the first recess portion but which intersects that axis in two spaced locations being proximate initial and terminal ends of said channel, said proud-standing projection being of a cross-sectional shape which has a central axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first recess portion, Characterised in that The shaped recess further comprises at least one engagement formation recess in communication with the second recess portion and having a central axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the first recess, said engagement formation recess including at least two side walls and a base laterally and symmetrically arranged with respect to the longtidunal axis of the first recess portion, at least one of said side walls and base wall being inclined relative to another thereof at an angle of 120° such that any unit of material formed within said shaped recess is automatically provided with one or more formations having hexagonal characteristics.

The present invention thus provides a novel anchoring device, in particular a scaffolding ring bolt which, when provided with its most preferred engagement formation of a simple 21mm (or 7/16") hexagonal nut at its free end and directly above the ringed forrnation of the bolt, can now be much more easily and quickly rotated and driven, either by hand using a conventional 21mm (or 7/16-) socket drive tool such as a ratchet, or a conventional 21mm spanner, or more advantageously by means of an electric screwdriver or similar portable battery powered article to which a 21mm socket is straightforwardly attached.

One of the primary advantages of the present invention, aside from the speed with which novel ring bolts according to the invention can now be driven securely into walls and other primary supporting structures (and, of course, also subsequently extracted and removed therefrom when the scaffolding is being dismantled), is that there is absolutely no requirement for scaffolding operatives to be provided with any additional equipment beyond what they already commonly cany and use most frequently -in short, every modern scaffolder today will always be in possession of a 21mm (or 7/16 inch) socket, and most scaffolders these days also now carry electric screwdrivers. Indeed the present invention may now make it possible for scaffolding operatives to dispense with their conventional podger devices. Furthermore, many modem electric screwdrivers are provided with torque indication means or some degree of torque control, so it is possible for scaffolding operatives to ensure that the ring bolts of the present invention which are screwed into walls and the like using such devices automatically comply with the required and abovementioned British and European Standards.

In initial installation time tests conducted on a prototype ring bolt according to the present invention, Applicant herefor has determined that whereas the average time taken to install a conventional ring bolt for a standard scaffolding installation is of the order of 5-10mins. (and slightly less for extraction and removal), when equipped with an electric screwdriver, a ring bolt according to the present invention can be fully, completely and safely installed in less than lm, and subsequent extraction and removal can be even quicker. Thus for only a relatively marginal increase in cost of the ring bolt itself, the cost saving in terms of labour is dramatic, especially when the installation and subsequent extraction and removal of many hundreds or possibly even 1000s of ring bolts is required.

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a prior art ring bolt Figure 2 shows a perspective view an anchoring device, in particular a ring bolt, according to the present invention, Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the preferred manner in which the ring bolt of Figure 2 is rotationally driven into a supporting structure, and Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the ring bolt of Figure 2 after having been secured to and within a supporting structure, and providing an anchoring function for a scaffold clamp and scaffolding pole clamped therein.

Detailed Description

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a conventional prior art ring bolt 2 which consists of an elongate generally cylindrical shank 4 having a maximum diameter referenced at "A" which will be selected according to some desired specification, for example one which may be determined according to a desired tensile load the bolt must be capable of withstanding. For common building scaffolding structures, the diameter "A" may be of the order of 5-15mm. The shank 4 comprises an unthreaded portion 6 and a threaded portion 8, the latter being provided with an acutely tapering end portion 10 which terminates at a point 12. For the particular ring bolt depicted in Figure 1, the threads 14 may have been formed subsequent to the creation of the ring bolt, for example by means of drawing a length of conventional thread rolling. At the end of the shank remote from the point 12, an arcuate, generally circular "ring" formation 16 is provided within which is defined an aperture 18 sized so as to be capable of receiving the free end of, and subsequently accommodating, the hook portion of a scaffold clamp (see below and Figure 4). Although scaffold ring bolts may be forged in a one-step manufacturing process, sometimes with threads 14 preformed as part of that process, an alternative method of manufacture involves drawing a suitable length of wire of suitable diameter and then wrapping, coiling or otherwise disposing the drawn wire over and/or around a suitable cylindrical former to create the ring formation 16. In this case, where a free usually guillotined end will, after the cylindrical forming process, be disposed adjacent and proximate the uppermost end of the elongate shank 4, it is common for that free end to be welded, brazed or swaged to itself in that region. In Figure 1, for example, that end 20 of the ring formation 16 is shown as being welded, at 22, directly that portion of the ring formation 16 which extends arcuately away from both the shank 4 and that end 20. Of course, no such secondary welding, brazing or swaging step is required if the ring bolt is forged or otherwise formed in a one-step manufacturing process.

As can be clearly seen in the Figure, the ring bolt 2 has a central axis of symmetry indicated by dotted dashed line 24. This central axis coincides with the screw axis of the threads 14, and generally (though not necessary precisely) bisects the circular aperture 18, and therefore passes through a notional centre 18A thereof. In the Figure, a perpendicular bisecting axis 26 is also shown, which also passing through said notional aperture centre 18A as would be expected. A third "z-axis" of the ring formation (being that axis which would extend normally through the plane of the page and also through said centre 18A) is not illustrated.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a ring bolt 30 according to the present invention which, similar to the ring bolt of Figure 1, is provided with an elongate shank 32 with an unthreaded portion 34 and a threaded portion 36, and a ring formation 38 within which and by which is defined a generally circular aperture 40 with notional centre 42. Again, similarly to the ring bolt of Figure 1, the ring bolt 30 has central axis 44 which coincides with the screw axis of the threads of the threaded portion 36 and bisects the aperture 40 and thus passes through the notional centre 42 thereof. A lateral axis 46 also bisects said aperture 40 and intersects with the central axis 44 at the notional centre 42. In Figure 2, the depth or "z-axis" is also shown and referenced at "z".

In accordance with the invention, atop and over that extremity (indicated generally at 38A) of the ring formation 38 which is opposite that where it meets the elongate shank 32, there is provided a further formation, herein referred to as an engagement formation and referenced generally at 50, which, in the most preferred embodiments, is formed integrally with the other portions of the ring bolt when the ring bolt as a whole is formed, most preferably by forging. Engagement formation 50 is most preferably in the form of a regular hexagonal nut 52 around which having six generally uniform identical flats 54, an uppermost free surface in the form of a regular hexagon (as shown), and an underside which is integrally connected to, and formed with, the ring formation. Therefore, as can be seen in the Figure, the hexagonal nut engagement formation 50 is essentially an extension, albeit an unusually shaped one, of the ring formation. Of particular note in this Figure is that the hexagonal nut formation is disposed such that its centroid 50A lies on the central axis of the ring bolt 30. This arrangement ensures that (a) any force applied to free upper surface of the hexagonal nut formation is ultimately applied axially along the direction of the central axis 44 of the ring bolt, and (b) any torque applied to the flats 54 of the hexagonal nut formation around its centroid 50A are axially applied around the central axis of the ring bolt The skilled reader will immediately understand that this arrangement is the most efficient as regards mechanical performance, and although small eccentricities as regards the positioning of the hexagonal nut formation may be tolerated, it is most preferable that the ring bolt be generally symmetrical about its central axis 44, and thus effectively balanced. There are good reasons for this arrangement, as will be further be understood from Figure 3 and the description provided below in relation thereto.

Thus, referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a portion 60 of a primary supporting structure, such as a brick wall or the like of a building, and adjacent which it is desired to erect a scaffolding structure. In order to anchor such a scaffolding structure to such a wall, holes 62 are first drilled in the wall to a suitable depth such that the recess is at least capable of receiving at least the majority of not all of the threaded portion 66 of a ring boht 64. Prior to the screwing of a ring bolt into said hole 62 however, it is common to first insert a resilient plastics material insert (not shown) of suitable diameter, such as a Rawlpug® or similar, into the hole such that that insert at least partially engages with the interior cylindrical surface of the drill hole. Once the insert is in position, the ring bolt 64 is disposed as illustrated in the Figure with its pointed tip slightly inside the opening plastic insert, whereupon, when using a ring bolt according to the present invention, it is possible for a scaffolding operative to use a hand-operated electric screwdriver 70 to which an appropriate socket drive tool 72 has been attached to screw the ring bolt into the plastic insert and thus into the supporting wall structure. As will be appreciated, the hexagonal nut formation 68 must firstly be received within the socket 72, the interior of which is suitably hollow for this purpose. Once in position, it is then a simple matter for a scaffolder to simply pull the trigger of the electric screwdriver, and exert a slight axial force as indicated in the Figure at 74 to ensure that the socket 72 remains engaged with the hexagonal nut formation 68 as the socket is drivingly rotated by the electric screwdriver.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the force required to overcome the torsional resistance to rotation of the ring bolt presented by plastics insert, and in tum the drill hole, is significant and cannot be overcome manually, without some aid. This of course is as it should be if screwing the ring bolt into the insert is to provide a secure anchor. As previously described, overcoming this torsional resistance required the use of podger, the long shank of which would be inserted through the ring formation of the ring bolt and then the ends of which would be grasped and turned by the scaffolder so that he could obtain sufficient mechanical advantage to overcome that torsional resistance. Thus not only would the scaffolder be required to exert significant torsional as well as axial force, the scaffolders arms and hands would have to travel significant distances around the central axis of the ring bolt. However, with the ring bolt of the present invention, an electric screwdriver can be used, provided a suitable socket attachment is used, and not only is the required torsional force substantially if not entirely applied by the electric screwdriver, but there is no required for the scaffolder to move anything but his index finger to activate the electric screwdriver trigger.

It should also be noted from this Figure that the centroid 68A of the hexagonal nut formation 68 not only lies on the central axis 69 of the ring bolt 64, but also this axis, and the centroid thereon, also lie on the central axis of rotation 71 of the electric screwdriver. Thus, because the axis of rotation of the electric screwdriver is, in this arrangement, automatically aligned with the central axis of rotation of the ring bolt when the socket (or other appropriate generally symmetrical tool) receives the hexagonal nut formation of the ring bolt, the most efficient mechanical arrangement is automatically achieved.

Referring finally to Figure 4, a completed scaffolding ring bolt installation is illustrated, and in which it can been that the scaffolding ring bolt 64 has been completely screwed into the wall 60 such that its entire threaded portion (not referenced) is now embedded within the wall, or more specifically within the plastics insert disposed within the drill hole 62. In this position, the plastics insert will have been significantly deformed (in most cases plastically), within the drill hole as the threaded portion of the ring bolt was screwed inside it, and it is the compression of the insert against the interior surfaces of the drill hole which effectively securely anchors the ring bolt within said drill hole. Once the ring bolt has been fully inserted in this manner, a scaffold clamp 80 having a hook portion 82 (usually) welded to the clamp 80 may be connected to the ring bolt to provide a secure coupling between a scaffold pole 84 and the ring bolt 64. As can be understood from the Figure, the free end of the hook portion 82 is fed into and through the ring formation of the ring bolt until it is in the position shown in the figure. Note in this position that the distance between the free end of the hook portion, and the limb thereof, and the adjacent limb of the hook portion is (and must necessarily always be) greater than the maximum dimension of the hexagonal nut formation 68, which can therefore always sit between these adjacent parts of the hook portion, as shown, and the hexagonal nut formation in no way impedes the connection of the clamp hook portion within the ring formation of the ring bolt, either during or after such connection. Indeed, the hexagonal nut formation is snugly and neatly concealed between and by respective parts of the hook portion, and of course, the ring bolt can not, in any event be removed unless and until the clamp hook portion is removed completely from the ring bolt and the hexagonal nut formation thereof can then again be connected with a suitable drive tool (simply operated in reverse to extract the bolt).

As can also be seen in Figure 4, clamp 80 is, in effect, a simple screw clamp whereby tightening or releasing a threaded screw 86 serves to contract or widen the jaws of the clamp respectively, and thus a standard cylindrical scaffolding pole can be safely clamped thereby or released therefrom.

Although the previous specific description is provided with exclusive reference to a scaffolding ring bolts provided with a hexagonal nut formation at one end thereof, the skilled person will understand that a different formation may be employed without affecting the scope of the present invention. Equally, the threaded portions of anchor devices according to the present invention may be provided externally (as in Figure 2), or they may be provided internally (as is the case for many different types of scaffolding ring bolt connector, and other lifting hooks and the like) -it is only important in terms of the present invention that the anchor device be at least partially threaded so that it can be screwingly connected to some other component or structure.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS1. An anchoring device comprising a first anchor portion provided with thread-like engagement means disposed around a screw axis which is also the central axis of the anchoring device, and a second functional head portion disposed atop said first anchor portion and extending generally upwardly therefrom, said second functional head portion defining therein at least one opening or aperture around which said functional head portions is substantially formed, said opening or aperture having a central axis which is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of anchoring device, Characterised in that The anchoring device is provided with at least one engagement formation disposed substantially over that extremity of the second functional head portion which lies on the central axis of the anchoring device, said engagement formation being of a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to any rotationally driven conventional screw or nut drive tool which may thus be easily connected to said formation or inserted within it, said cross-sectional shape having its centroid substantially coincident with the central axis of the anchoring device such that any axial force applied to the engagement formation is transmitted to and effectively ultimately applied along the central axis of the anchoring device and any torque applied to said engagement formation acts around that axis.
2. 2. An anchoring device according to claim 1 wherein the anchoring device is of essentially unitary construction in that all of the first and second portions and the engagement formations are all formed together when the anchoring device is formed.
3. 3. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is hexagonal.
4. 4. An anchoring device according to claim 3 wherein the engagement formation takes the form of a conventional nut
5. 5. An anchoring device according to claim 4 wherein the nut signifying dimension of one of: 21mm and 7/16".
6. 6. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein thread-like engagement means of the first anchoring portion are formed in a separate, subsequent forming step to that in which the anchoring device as a whole is formed.
7. 7. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein the anchoring device is formed by a process being one of: forging, moulding, and casting. and similar forming processes.
8. 8. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim the second functional head portion of the anchoring device is has a continuous periphery and defines therein an interior aperture having a shape which corresponds to that of the second function head portion as a whole.
9. 9. An anchoring device according to claim 8 wherein the second functional head portion is substantially circular in cross-section, and the interior aperture it defines is similarly circular in shape.
10. 10. An anchoring device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the second functional head portion is of substantially uniform thickness as regards at least one of: its depth, and the thickness of material between its entire periphery and the interior aperture therein.
11. 11. An anchoring device according to any of claims 8-10 wherein the central axis of the aperture defined by and within the second functional head portion of the anchoring device both coincides with the central axis of the anchoring device as a whole and is perpendicular to that central axis.
12. 12. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein the first anchor portion of the anchoring device preferably takes the form of an elongate shank around the exterior surface of which are provided the thread-like engagement means.
13. 13. An anchoring device according to claim 12 wherein said elongate shank diminishes in diameter proximate or towards its free end such that said shank is provided with some degree of taper.
14. 14. An anchoring device according to claim 13 wherein the taper at or proximate the free end of the elongate shank is such that the elongate shank is pointed.
15. 15. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein the thread-like engagement means are one of - conventional, uniform pitch single helical screw threads, and - screw threads which are one or more of: varying pitch, varying height, varying depth, self-tapping, and double ExcaliburTM screw threads.
16. 16. An anchoring device according to any of claims 1-11 wherein the first anchor portion of the anchoring device preferably takes the form of a bulbous formation within the interior of which is provided an interiorly threaded bore, the screw axis of which essentially defines the central axis of the anchoring device.
17. 17. An anchoring device according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is one of, triangular, quadrangular, pentangular, elliptical, or some other geometric shape other than a circle.
18. 18. An anchoring device according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the engagement formation is circular, and within the boundary of said circular engagement formation defined by its circular exterior periphery is provided at least one non-circular recess adapted to receive a rotationally driven conventional tool whereby the anchoring device can be rotationally driven, said recess being of a complementary shape to any one of the following conventional screw drive shapes: slot, cross, cruciform (PhillipsTM), FrearsonTM, French Recess, JIS B 1012, MortorgTM, PozidriveTM, PozidrivTM, SupadrivTM, Torcrm, Torq-setTm, Phillips-SlottedTM, Square Extema I, RobertsonTM, Hex External, 12-Point external, Hex Socket (AIIenTM key), Security hex, Double Square, Triple Square, 12-spline flange, Double Hex, TorxTM, Ton(Tm Tamperproof, TorxTM Plus, Polydrive, External TorxTM, Line head male, Line head female, Line head female tamper, Tri-angle, Tri-point, Tri-groove, Tri-wing, Clutch A Clutch G, One-way Clutch, BristolTM, QuadrexTM, Pentalobe.
19. 19. An anchoring device according to any preceding claim wherein the anchoring device is one of: a ring bolt, an eye bolt, a scaffolding ring bolt, a lifting bolt, a threaded hook. 30
20. 20. A forming component, being one of a die, cast or mould, and adapted for the manufacture of the anchoring device of any of claims 1-19, said forming component including a shaped recess therein, said recess consisting of at least a first anchor forming recess portion, and a second functional head forming recess portion in communication with said first recess portion and extending generally away therefrom, said second recess portion having therein at least one substantially central proud standing projection which, together with the side walls of said second recess portion, defines a channel, at least some part of which is off-axis as regards a central longitudinal axis of the first recess portion but which intersects that axis in two spaced locations being proximate initial and terminal ends of said channel, said proud-standing projection being of a cross-sectional shape which has a central axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first recess portion, Characterised in that The shaped recess further comprises at least one engagement formation recess in communication with the second recess portion and having a central axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the first recess, said engagement formation recess including at least two side walls and a base laterally and symmetrically arranged with respect to the longtidunal axis of the first recess portion, at least one of said side walls and base wall being inclined relative to another thereof at an angle of 120° such that any unit of material formed within said shaped recess is automatically provided with one or more formations having hexagonal characteristics.
21. 21. A forming component according to claim 20 wherein the component is a forging die.
22. 22. A method of manufacturing an anchoring device of any of claims 1-19 and utilising the forming component of claim 20, wherein the method comprising one of: forging, casting and moulding.