US20260015854A1

US20260015854A1 - Anchor plate for masonry and concrete and method thereof

Info

Publication number: US20260015854A1
Application number: US19/265,996
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael C. Dent; Craig A. Cartwright
Original assignee: Cd Design And Manufacturing LLC
Current assignee: Cd Design And Manufacturing LLC
Priority date: 2024-07-11
Filing date: 2025-07-10
Publication date: 2026-01-15

Abstract

Embodiments of an anchor plate for embedding within a masonry or concrete wall. The anchor plate may include a main plate portion and first and second leg portions. The main plate portion extends to define a generally rectangular profile with an outer surface and an oppositely positioned inner surface. The first and second leg portions extend from adjacent a first end of the main plate portion and the second leg portion extends from adjacent a second end of the main plate portion, the first end and the second end being opposite of each other. The first and second leg portions are elongated to longitudinally extend orthogonal relative to the inner surface of the main plate portion. Further, the main plate portion and the first and second leg portions are formed as a single-piece unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/670,054, filed Jul. 11, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to anchoring components for masonry and/or concrete structures and, more specifically, the present invention relates to anchor plates for fixing to masonry and/or concrete walls.

BACKGROUND

Masonry materials are commonly used in all forms of construction such as walls, columns, beams, foundations, floors, and roofs. During the normal course of construction, it is necessary and advantages to secure external structural and non-structural appendages to these same masonry material elements. Such external appendages may consist of floor and room framing members, beams, joists, ledger supports, brackets, rods, cables, furnishing, and mechanical, electrical or plumbing equipment.
Present construction methodologies and practices use mounting plates, spaced according to need and secured to the masonry elements, such as a masonry wall, to receive future external appendages, as described above. However, the current process of securing the mounting plates to masonry walls is labor intensive, inefficient, and very costly. For example, one process for securing a mounting plate to a masonry wall requires the initial bricks or cinder blocks to be built-up and coupled together with mortar. Once the mortar has cured, holes or slices are cut into the masonry wall so that pegs of the mounting plate may be inserted into the holes or slices so that the mounting plate may sit adjacent the face of the masonry wall. It is often necessary to temporarily secure the mounting plate to sit tight against the face of the masonry wall with wires and/or adhesive or the like. Once temporarily secured, the hollow space or voids in the bricks or masonry wall may then be filled with grout, which secures the pegs within the grout and permanently secures the mounting plates against the face of the masonry wall. Another process involves securing mounting plates to a finished masonry wall. This process involves drilling or cutting holes through the masonry wall. Bolts may then be inserted through the drilled holes and through apertures defined in the mounting plate. The mounting plate may then be tightened and secured to the wall with nuts tightening over the bolts, thereby, securing the mounting plate to the masonry wall. As such, it would be advantageous to minimize the labor and cost required to fix mounting plates to a masonry wall.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to various embodiments of an anchor plate configured to be embedded within masonry or concrete. The anchor plate includes a main plate portion and first and second leg portions. The main plate portion extends to define a generally rectangular profile, the rectangular profile having an outer surface and an oppositely positioned inner surface. The first leg portion extends from adjacent a first end of the main plate portion and the second leg portion extends from adjacent a second end of the main plate portion, the first end and the second end being opposite of each other, the first and second leg portions being elongated to longitudinally extend orthogonal relative to the inner surface of the main plate portion. Further, the main plate portion and the first and second leg portions are formed as a single-piece unit.
In another embodiment, the single-piece unit is a seamless, monolithic structure. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second leg portions includes a foot, the foot extending orthogonal relative to the at least one of the first and second leg portions. In a further embodiment, the foot extends in a common plane as the at least one of the first and second leg portions. In another embodiment, the outer surface and the inner surface of the main plate portion are planar. In still another embodiment, the main plate portion extends to define a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness being smaller than the length and the width of the main plate portion, the first and second leg portions having a thickness dimension common to the thickness of the main plate portion.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an anchor plate configured to be embedded within masonry or concrete is provided. The anchor plate includes a main plate portion and first and second extension portions. The main plate portion extends to define a generally rectangular profile, the rectangular profile having an outer surface and an oppositely positioned inner surface. The first and second extension portions each extend orthogonal relative to the inner surface of the main plate portion. The first extension portion extends from adjacent a first end of the main plate portion and the second extension portion extends from adjacent a second end of the main plate portion, the first end and the second end being opposite of each other. Further, the main plate portion and the first and second leg portions are formed as a single-piece unit.
In another embodiment, the single-piece unit is a seamless, monolithic structure. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second extension portions include a foot, the foot extending orthogonal relative to the at least one of the first and second extension portions. In another embodiment, the foot extends in a common plane as the at least one of the first and second extension portions. In still another embodiment, the outer surface and the inner surface of the main plate portion are planar. In another embodiment, the main plate portion extends to define a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness being smaller than the length and the width of the main plate portion, the first and second extension portions having a thickness dimension common to the thickness of the main plate portion.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of securing an anchor plate to a masonry wall is provided. The method includes the steps of: positioning masonry blocks adjacent to each other to form multiple rows of masonry blocks such that the multiple rows at least partially form the masonry wall, the masonry wall extending to define a front side and a rear side; positioning a first extension portion extending from a main plate portion of the anchor plate against one or more masonry blocks of the multiple rows of the masonry blocks such that an inner surface of the main plate portion is positionable directly against the front side of the masonry wall; positioning another one or more rows of masonry blocks to build up the masonry wall so that the first extension portion of the main plate portion is sandwiched between masonry blocks of the multiple rows of the masonry wall; and supplying grout and/or mortar between the masonry blocks to fix the first extension portion of the anchor plate to the masonry wall so that the main plate portion is fixed against the front side of the masonry wall.
In another embodiment, the positioning the first extension portion step includes positioning a second extension portion of the main plate portion against the one or more masonry blocks of the multiple rows. In a further embodiment, the positioning the first extension portion and the positioning the second extension portion of the main plate portion includes positioning the first and second extension portions along opposing sides of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion extending between the first and second extension portions and against the front side of the one of the masonry blocks. In another embodiment, the positioning the first extension portion and the positioning the second extension portion of the main plate portion comprises positioning the first and second extension portions along one side of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion positionable against at least two masonry blocks. In another embodiment, the method further includes fixing an elongated structural component to the main plate portion of the anchor plate. In another embodiment, the positioning the first extension portion step includes positioning the anchor plate as a single-piece structure, the first extension portion being formed with the main plate portion.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of securing an anchor plate to a masonry wall is provided. The method includes: providing the anchor plate including a main plate portion with first and second extension portions extending from the main plate portion, the first and second extension portions being elongated and longitudinally extending orthogonally relative to the main plate portion; positioning masonry blocks adjacent to each other to form multiple rows of masonry blocks such that the multiple rows at least partially form the masonry wall, the masonry wall extending to define a front side and a rear side; positioning the first and second extension portions against and between one or more masonry blocks of the multiple rows of the masonry blocks such that an inner surface of the main plate portion is positionable directly against the front side of the masonry wall; and supplying grout and/or mortar between the masonry blocks to fix the first and second extension portions of the anchor plate to the masonry wall so that the main plate portion is fixed against the front side of the masonry wall.
In another embodiment, the method further includes fixing an elongated structural component to the main plate portion of the anchor plate. In another embodiment, the positioning the first and second extension portions includes positioning the first and second extension portions along opposing sides of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion extending between the first and second extension portions and against the front side of the one of the masonry blocks. In another embodiment, the positioning the first and second extension portions includes positioning the first and second extension portions along one side of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion positionable against at least two masonry blocks. In still another embodiment, the positioning the first and second extension portions includes positioning the anchor plate as a single-piece structure, the first and second extension portions being formed with the main plate portion. In another embodiment, the positioning the anchor plate portion as the single-piece structure includes positioning the anchor plate portion as a seamless, monolithic structure.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus configured to facilitate anchoring structural components to a masonry or concrete wall is provided. The apparatus includes an anchor plate extending as a single-piece unit, the anchor plate including a main plate portion and first and second elongated leg portions. The first and second elongated leg portions extending adjacently from respective opposite ends of the main plate portion. The first and second elongated leg portions each longitudinally extending orthogonal relative to a flat face of the main plate portion.
In another embodiment, the single-piece unit is a seamless, monolithic structure. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions includes a foot, the foot extending orthogonal relative to the at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions. In a further embodiment, the foot extends in a common plane as the at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions. In another embodiment, the main plate portion extends as a generally rectangular configuration. In still another embodiment, the main plate portion extends to define a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness being smaller than the length and the width of the main plate portion, the first and second elongated leg portions having a thickness dimension common to the thickness of the main plate portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor plate, depicting leg portions extending from adjacent opposite ends of the anchor plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anchor plate, depicting an outer side of the anchor plate, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the anchor plate of FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the anchor plate of FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the anchor plate of FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of multiple anchor plates embedded in a masonry wall, depicting a beam coupled to an outer surface of the multiple anchor plates, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the multiple anchor plates embedded in the masonry wall of FIG. 6 , depicting grout surrounding leg portions of the anchor plate, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another configuration of multiple anchor plates embedded in a masonry wall, depicting a beam coupled to the outer surface of the multiple anchor plates, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the multiple anchor plates embedded in the wall of FIG. 8 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the multiple anchor plates embedded in the wall of FIG. 8 , depicting grout surrounding the leg portions of the anchor plates, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an anchor plate, depicting the anchor plate having leg portions extending from adjacent opposite ends of the of the anchor plate, according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the anchor plate of FIG. 11 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the anchor plate of FIG. 11 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the anchor plate of FIG. 11 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of multiple anchor plates embedded in a masonry wall, depicting a beam coupled to an outer surface of the multiple anchor plates, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a top view of the multiple anchor plates embedded in the masonry wall, depicting grout surrounding the leg portions of the anchor plates, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 , an anchor plate 10 for integrating with a masonry wall 5 is provided. The anchor plate 10 may include first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 that may extend from a main anchor plate portion 16, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 being elongated to longitudinally extend perpendicular relative to the main anchor plate portion 16. The first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may each be positioned between adjacently positioned masonry blocks 7. Further, multiple ones of the anchor plates 10 may be positioned within the masonry wall 5. Upon one or more anchor plates 10 being positioned within the masonry wall 5, grout 11 or concrete may be supplied within or between the masonry blocks 7 of the masonry wall 5. Once the grout 11 or concrete is cured, the one or more anchor plates 10 may be fixed to the masonry wall 5. With this arrangement, the anchor plates 10 may be fixed to the masonry wall 5 with an inner surface 18 of the one or more anchor plates 10 being positioned against an outer side 9 of the masonry wall 5. As desired, other structural components 13, such as various types of beams, joists, or ledgers or other support structure or the like, may be coupled to the outer surface 20 of the one or more anchor plates 10.
Now with reference to FIGS. 1-5 , as previously set forth, the anchor plate 10 may include the main anchor plate portion 16 and the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. The main anchor plate portion 16 may be referenced as a plate portion, main plate portion, main plate or anchor portion, or the like. The main anchor plate portion 16 may be a flat, planar structure with opposite inner and outer surfaces 18, 20. Further, the main anchor plate portion 16 may include a generally rectangular or square profile or configuration. In one embodiment, a generally rectangular profile may mean a generally square profile or, otherwise said, a generally square profile falls within the meaning of a generally square profile. In other embodiments, the main anchor plate portion 16 may include other shapes, such as a generally round or oval profile or a generally rectangular or square profile with rounded corners.
The main anchor plate portion 16 may be elongated to define a longitudinal length 22, a width 24 and a thickness 26, the longitudinal length 22 defining a longitudinal axis 28. The longitudinal length 22 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may extend between a first end 30 and a second end 32. Such first and second ends 30, 32 may also be referenced as upper and lower ends, respectively. The longitudinal length 22 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may be about eight inches or within the range of between about four inches and about sixteen inches. In some embodiments, the longitudinal length 22 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may be about the height of a common cinder block or other masonry block structure. The width 24 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may extend between first and second side ends 34, 36. Such width 24 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may be about four inches and may be in the range between about four inches and about sixteen inches. The thickness 26 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may be about ⅜ inches. In another embodiment, the thickness 26 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may be within the range of between about ¼ inch and about ¾ inch. The longitudinal axis 28 may extend longitudinally along the length 22 and through the thickness 26 so as to extend centrally through the main anchor plate portion 16.
As set forth, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from the main anchor plate portion 16. In one embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend directly from the first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16. In another embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from adjacent (or a location adjacent to) the first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16. The first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may each be an elongated structure defining a longitudinal leg length 38 and a leg axis 40 extending along the longitudinal leg length 38. The first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may each extend perpendicular or orthogonal relative to the main anchor plate portion 16 such that the leg axis 40 may extend perpendicular relative to the inner surface 18 of the main anchor plate portion 16. Otherwise said, each of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be elongated to longitudinally extend perpendicular relative to the inner surface 18 (or outer surface 20) of the main anchor plate portion 16.
Further, each of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may each extend to a free end 42. At the free end 42, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may include a respective first and second foot 44, 46. The first and second foot 44, 46 may extend at an angle, such as substantially perpendicular, relative to the respective leg axis 40 of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. In another embodiment, the first and second foot 44, 46 may extend at an obtuse or acute angle relative to the leg axis 40 of the respective first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. In another embodiment, the first and second foot 44, 46 may extend planar with the respective first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 (or planar with most of the longitudinal length of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14). In another embodiment, the first and second foot 44, 46 may include an extension or tab that may be non-planar or extends outside of the plane of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. In another embodiment, the first foot 44 and/or the second foot 46 may extend to be non-planar relative to the respective first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. Otherwise said, the first and/or second foot 44, 46 may extend with a bend so that the first and/or second foot may be in a separate plane than the respective first and second leg extension portions 44, 46.
In another embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from first and second side portions 48, 50 of the main anchor plate portion 16, the first and second side portions 48, 50 defined by a center line 52. The center line 52 may extend longitudinally between the first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16 and may extend co-axial or parallel with the longitudinal axis 28 of the main anchor plate portion 16. In one embodiment, the center line 52 may define a center plane, the center plane centrally extending through the main anchor plate portion 16 and extending perpendicular relative to the main anchor plate portion 16. The first leg extension portion 12 may extend from the first side portion 48 of the main anchor plate portion 16. The second leg extension portion 14 may extend from the second side portion 50 of the main anchor plate portion 16. In one embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from the main anchor plate portion 16 and from adjacent the center line 52 of the main anchor plate portion 16. Further, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from the respective first and second side portions 48, 50 of the main anchor plate portion 16, each adjacent the center line 52 or center plane, and from opposite sides of the center line 52 of the main anchor plate portion 16.
In one embodiment, the anchor plate 10 may be stamped or cut directly from plate or sheet material. As such, the anchor plate 10, once stamped from the plate material, may be a flat and planar structure. The first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may then be bent so that the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend transverse or perpendicular relative to the main anchor plate portion 16. For example, the first leg extension portion 12 may be bent downward, as shown by arrow 101, toward the inner surface 18 of the main anchor plate portion 16. Similarly, the second leg extension portion 14 may be bent upward, as shown by arrow 103, toward the inner surface 18 of the main anchor plate portion 16. In this manner, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend directly from the respective first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16 or from the thickness 26 of the respective first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16. As such, there may be an initial curvature 54 at a base 56 of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14, adjacent the first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16, where the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 initially extend from the main anchor plate portion 16.
In one embodiment, the anchor plate 10 may be a seamless monolithic structure and a one-piece structure. Such seamless, monolithic structure may include each of the main anchor plate portion 16 and the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 each continuously formed as a single, seamless unit. In another embodiment, the anchor plate 10 may be a one-piece structure. The one-piece structure of the anchor plate 10 may include the main anchor plate portion 16 and the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14. In another embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be welded to the main anchor plate portion 16 so that the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be integrally formed with the main anchor plate portion 16. Further, the main anchor plate portion 16 of the anchor plate 10 may be a continuous solid structure without openings or notches defined therein. In this manner, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be permanently coupled to the main anchor plate portion 16 such that the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may not be removably coupled to the main anchor plate portion 16. Otherwise said, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may not be bolted or coupled to the main anchor plate portion 16 with a nut and bolt arrangement or similar fastening or coupling structure.
Now with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 , multiple anchor plates 10 may be employed within a masonry wall 5 to facilitate anchoring or coupling structural components 13, such as one or more beams, joists, ledgers, etc., to the multiple anchor plates 10. The masonry wall 5 may include multiple aligned masonry blocks 7 to form one or more rows 15, such as, a first row 17, and then built up with additional aligned masonry blocks to form a second row 19, a third row 21, a fourth row 23, and then a fifth row 25, for example. Additional masonry block rows may be added (or the wall may be built-up with fewer rows) to form the masonry wall 5. Such masonry blocks 7 within each row may be staggered relative to the masonry blocks 7 of adjacent rows. Further, each of the masonry blocks 7 may be positioned with mortar 33 along an external surface of the masonry blocks 7 so that each of the blocks 7 are coupled together and, thus, the rows and adjacent rows may be coupled together. The masonry blocks 7 may be of the type having one or more hollow portions 27 defined within the masonry blocks, such as cinder blocks, bricks or any other masonry type block, or concrete structures.
As the masonry wall 5 is being built-up, one or more anchor plates 10 may be positioned into the masonry wall 5 such that the mortar 33 may at least partially surround portions of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 of the anchor plates 10. In one embodiment, two of the anchor plates 10 may be positioned and spaced horizontally from each other within the masonry wall 5. For example, each anchor plate 10 may be positioned so that the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 of the anchor plate 10 of this embodiment may be positioned above and below one of the masonry blocks 7. Further, with this arrangement, each of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be sandwiched between upper and lower ones of the masonry blocks 7 in the one or more rows 15. As such, upon the anchor plates 10 being positioned within a given masonry wall 5, each of the anchor plates 10 may engage three masonry blocks 7 as well as engage three of the rows of the masonry blocks 7 in the masonry wall 5, such as the second, third and fourth rows 19, 21, 23 of the masonry wall 5. The first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend between masonry blocks 7 such that the free end 42 of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may sit within a width 29 of a given masonry block 7. In one embodiment, the anchor plates 10 may be positioned within the masonry wall 5 so that the free end 42 of the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be positioned within a vertical space 31 defined by the hollow portions 27 defined in the masonry blocks 7 and, thus, the masonry wall 5. Further, rebar (not shown) may be positioned within the vertical spaces 31 of the masonry wall for additional structural strength to the masonry wall 5. With the first and second leg extensions 12, 14 positioned into this vertical space 31 or within the masonry wall 5, grout 11 may be supplied or poured along a top side 35 of the masonry wall 5 and into the vertically extending space 31 to fill at least portions of the hollow portions 27 of the masonry blocks 7 such that the grout 11 surrounds the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 positioned within the vertical space 31 of the masonry wall 5. Once the grout 11 cures, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 and, thus, the anchor plates 10, become fixed to the masonry wall 5. Upon such fixation of the anchor plates 10, the inner surface 18 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may sit against the masonry wall 5 and the outer surface 20 of the main anchor plate portion 16 may face outward and in a substantially common direction of a front face 37 of the masonry wall 5. With this arrangement, the outer surface 20 of the anchor plate 10 may then be employed to couple a structural component 13, such as one or more support beams, joists, ledgers, etc., to the anchor plate 10. Such structural component 13 may be coupled to the anchor plate 10 by welding or any other substantially permanent coupling process, as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. In this manner, the anchor plates 10 may be permanently integrated with the masonry wall 5 during the typical process of building the masonry wall 5. Further, such permanent integration of the anchor plates 10 into the masonry wall 5 is employed without the need for drilling or cutting into the masonry wall, and without the need for any further anchoring mechanisms, such as bolts, nuts, screws, or wires.
Now with reference to FIGS. 8-10 , another embodiment for employing the anchor plates 10 with a masonry wall 41 is provided. In this embodiment, the anchor plates 10 may be secured to the masonry wall 41 with main anchor plate portions 16 positioned longitudinally and vertically in an end-to-end configuration. The end-to-end configuration exhibits one of the anchor plates 10 in an upper position and another one of the anchor plates 10 in a lower position. As previously set forth, the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may extend from the respective first and second ends 30, 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16 such that the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 may be alignably off-set relative to each other and off-set relative to the center line 52 of the main anchor plate portion 16. For example, the first leg extension portion 12 may extend from the first end 30 of the main anchor plate portion 16 along one side of the center line 52 and the second leg extension portion 14 may extend from the second end 32 of the main anchor plate portion 16 along the opposite side of the center line 52. As such, upon positioning the anchor plates 10 in the end-to-end configuration, the second leg extension portion 14 of the anchor plate 10 in the upper position does not interfere with the first leg extension portion 12 of the anchor plate 10 in the lower position in the masonry wall 41. Once the anchor plates 10 are positioned in the masonry wall 41 in the end-to-end configuration (upper and lower positions), the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 of both the anchor plates 10 (in the upper and lower positions) extend into a vertical space 43 defined by a hollow portions 45 of the multiple masonry blocks 47 of the masonry wall 41, as in the previous embodiment. Further, similar to the previous embodiment, the masonry blocks 47 may be initially supported and coupled together with mortar 53, the mortar 53 initially at least partially holding the first and second leg extension portions 12, 14 within the masonry wall 41. Once the mortar is cured, grout 49 may then be supplied to the masonry wall 41 by pouring the grout 49 into the vertical space 43 to at least partially fill the hollow portions 45 of the masonry blocks 47. Upon the grout 49 curing, the masonry wall 41 may be stabilized, which also permanently fixes and integrates the multiple anchor plates 10 to the masonry wall 41 via a portion of the anchor plates 10 being positioned within the cured grout 49. In this manner, the anchor plates 10 may be positioned in the masonry wall 41. Further, the anchor plates 10 may then be employed for coupling a structural component 51 thereto, such as an I-beam, joist, ledger, or any other structural component as known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Now with reference to FIGS. 11-14 , another embodiment of an anchor plate 60 is provided. In this embodiment, the anchor plate 60 may include a main anchor plate portion 62 with first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 extending from opposite lateral side ends of the main anchor plate portion 62. Similar to the previous embodiment, the main anchor plate portion 62 may be elongated to define a longitudinal length 68 and extend between first and second ends 70, 72 thereof (or may be referenced as upper and lower ends of the main anchor plate portion 62). The main anchor plate portion 62 may laterally extend to define a width 74 between first and second side ends 76, 78 of the main anchor plate portion 62 (also referenced as first and second lateral ends). Further, the main anchor plate portion 62 may define an inner surface 80 and an outer surface 82, the outer surface 82 facing opposite relative to the inner surface 80 of the main anchor plate portion 62.
The first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may each extend from a mid-portion 84 of the main anchor plate portion 62 and from the first and second side ends 76, 78 of the main anchor plate portion 62. Further, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be elongated to extend longitudinally and perpendicular relative to the inner surface 80 (or outer surface 82) of the main anchor plate portion 62. The first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may each longitudinally extend away from the main anchor plate portion 62 to a free end 86. The first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may each include a respective first and second foot 88, 90 at the free end 86 thereof.
In one embodiment, the first and second foot 88, 90 may extend inward toward each other. In another embodiment, the first and second foot may extend outward. In another embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 with their respective first and second foot 88, 90 may each extend in generally a common plane. In another embodiment, the first and second foot may extend transverse relative to the common plane of the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66. The main anchor plate portion 62 may extend to define a first plane 92 and the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may extend to define a second plane 94, the second plane 94 extending orthogonal or perpendicular relative to the first plane 92.
Similar to the previous embodiment, the anchor plate 60 may be formed by stamping and/or cutting plate or sheet material so that the anchor plate 60 extends with a substantially uniform thickness. The pre-formed anchor plate 60 may then be formed by bending each of the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66, the first leg extension portion 64 bending downward, as shown by arrow 95, and the second leg extension portion 66 bending upward, as shown by arrow 97. As such, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be bent so that the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 longitudinally extend orthogonal relative to the inner or outer surfaces 80, 82 of the main anchor plate portion 62. With the anchor plate 60 formed, as set forth, the outer surface 82 extends to define an upper portion and a lower portion 96, 98. The upper and lower portions 96, 98 may be off-set relative to each other due to the portion of the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 being placed in bent positions, as set forth above.
As in the previous embodiment, the anchor plate 60 may be a seamless monolithic structure and a one-piece structure. Such seamless, monolithic structure may include each of the main anchor plate portion 62 and the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66. In another embodiment, the anchor plate 60 may be a one-piece structure. The one-piece structure of the anchor plate 60 may include the main anchor plate portion 62 and the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66. In another embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be welded to the main anchor plate portion 62 of the anchor plate 60 so that the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be integrally formed with the main anchor plate portion 62. Further, the main anchor plate portion 62 of the anchor plate 60 may be a continuous solid structure without openings or notches defined therein. In this manner, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be permanently coupled to the main anchor plate portion 62 such that the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may not be removably coupled to the main anchor plate portion 62. Otherwise said, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may not be bolted or coupled to the main anchor plate portion 62 with a nut and bolt arrangement or similar fastening or coupling structure.
Now with reference to FIGS. 11, 15 and 16 , similar to previous embodiments, multiple anchor plates 60 may be employed within a masonry wall 61 having multiple rows 63 of masonry blocks 65 to facilitate anchoring or coupling structural components 67 to the anchor plates 60. Similar to previous embodiments, the structural components 67 may include beams, joists, ledgers, or any other structural component. Further, similar to previous embodiments, as the masonry wall 61 is being built-up, one or more anchor plates 60 may be positioned and horizontally spaced into the masonry wall 61 between lower and upper rows 69, 71 of masonry blocks 65 in the masonry wall 61 and along with mortar 83, similar to previous embodiments. In this embodiment, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may engage the lower and upper rows 69, 71 of masonry blocks 65 within a given pair or set of horizontally spaced anchor plates 60. Further, the inner surface 80 (FIG. 11 ) of the anchor plates 60 may engage a front face 73 of the masonry blocks 65 within the lower and upper rows 69, 71 of masonry blocks 65. Furthermore, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 of the spaced apart anchor plates 60 may be sandwiched between some of the masonry blocks 65 of the lower and upper rows 69, 71 of the masonry blocks 65 along with the mortar 83. Similar to the previous embodiments, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may extend between masonry blocks 65 such that end portions 102 of the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 may be positioned within a vertical space 75 defined by the hollow portions 77 defined in each of the masonry blocks 65 and defined in the masonry wall 61. With the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 positioned into this vertical space 75 and within the masonry wall 61, grout 79 may be supplied or poured along a top side 81 of the masonry wall 61 and into the vertically extending space 75 to fill at least portions of the hollow portions 77 or space of the masonry blocks 65. Once the grout 79 cures, the first and second leg extension portions 64, 66 and, thus, the anchor plates 60, become permanently fixed to the masonry wall 61. Upon such fixation of the anchor plates 60, the inner surface 80 (FIG. 11 ) of the main anchor plate portion 62 may sit against the front face 73 of the masonry wall 61 and the outer surface 82 of the main anchor plate portion 62 may face outward and in a common direction of the front face 73 of the masonry wall 61. With this arrangement, the outer surface 82 of the anchor plates 60 may then be employed to couple a structural component 67 to the anchor plates 60. Similar to the previous embodiments, the anchor plates 60 may be permanently integrated with the masonry wall 61 during the typical process of constructing such masonry wall 61. Further, the permanent integration of the anchor plates 60 into the masonry wall 61 is employed without the need for drilling or cutting into the masonry wall, and without the need for any further anchoring mechanisms, such as bolts, nuts, screws, or wires.
In another embodiment, the various embodiments of the anchor plates set forth herein may readily be employed with a concrete wall. For example, the anchor plates may be positionable along inner side walls of concrete forms prior to pouring the concrete between the forms. As such, upon pouring the concrete between the forms and upon the concrete curing, the forms can be removed to expose the main anchor plate portion sitting flush along a face of the cured concrete wall with the first and second leg extension portions embedded within the concrete wall.
The various structural components of the embodiments of the anchor plates, set forth herein, may be formed of various metallic materials, such as steel or aluminum, or any other suitable metallic material. The anchor plates may be pre-formed from plate or sheet material by stamping or cutting (such as laser cutting, milling or slicing) the shape of the anchor plates from the stock plate or sheet material, and then bending portions of the stamped or cut plate to form the anchor plates, or any other known process or manufacturing technique may be employed, as known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. Further, the structural features of any one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined or replaced by any one of the structural features of another embodiment set forth herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor plate configured to be embedded within masonry or concrete, the anchor plate comprising:

a main plate portion extending to define a generally rectangular profile, the rectangular profile having an outer surface and an oppositely positioned inner surface; and

first and second leg portions, the first leg portion extending from adjacent a first end of the main plate portion and the second leg portion extending from adjacent a second end of the main plate portion, the first end and the second end being opposite of each other, the first and second leg portions being elongated to longitudinally extend orthogonal relative to the inner surface of the main plate portion;

wherein the main plate portion and the first and second leg portions are formed as a single-piece unit.

2. The anchor plate of claim 1, wherein the single-piece unit is a seamless, monolithic structure.

3. The anchor plate of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second leg portions comprises a foot, the foot extending orthogonal relative to the at least one of the first and second leg portions.

4. The anchor plate of claim 3, wherein the foot extends in a common plane as the at least one of the first and second leg portions.

5. The anchor plate of claim 1, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface of the main plate portion are planar.

6. The anchor plate of claim 1, wherein the main plate portion extends to define a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness being smaller than the length and the width of the main plate portion, the first and second leg portions having a thickness dimension common to the thickness of the main plate portion.

7. An apparatus configured to facilitate anchoring structural components to a masonry or concrete wall, comprising:

an anchor plate extending as a single-piece unit, the anchor plate including a main plate portion and first and second elongated leg portions, the first and second elongated leg portions extending adjacently from respective opposite ends of the main plate portion, the first and second elongated leg portions each longitudinally extending orthogonal relative to a flat face of the main plate portion.

8. The anchor plate of claim 7, wherein the single-piece unit is a seamless, monolithic structure.

9. The anchor plate of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions comprises a foot, the foot extending orthogonal relative to the at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions.

10. The anchor plate of claim 9, wherein the foot extends in a common plane as the at least one of the first and second elongated leg portions.

11. The anchor plate of claim 7, wherein the main plate portion extends as a generally rectangular configuration.

12. The anchor plate of claim 7, wherein the main plate portion extends to define a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness being smaller than the length and the width of the main plate portion, the first and second elongated leg portions having a thickness dimension common to the thickness of the main plate portion.

13. A method of securing an anchor plate to a masonry wall, the method comprising:

providing the anchor plate including a main plate portion with first and second extension portions extending from the main plate portion, the first and second extension portions being elongated and longitudinally extending orthogonally relative to the main plate portion;

positioning masonry blocks adjacent to each other to form multiple rows of masonry blocks such that the multiple rows at least partially form the masonry wall, the masonry wall extending to define a front side and a rear side;

positioning the first and second extension portions against and between one or more masonry blocks of the multiple rows of the masonry blocks such that an inner surface of the main plate portion is positionable directly against the front side of the masonry wall; and

supplying grout between the masonry blocks to fix the first and second extension portions of the anchor plate to the masonry wall so that the main plate portion is fixed against the front side of the masonry wall.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising fixing an elongated structural component to the main plate portion of the anchor plate.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the positioning the first and second extension portions comprises positioning the first and second extension portions along opposing sides of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion extending between the first and second extension portions and against the front side of the one of the masonry blocks.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the positioning the first and second extension portions comprises positioning the first and second extension portions along one side of one of the masonry blocks with the main plate portion positionable against at least two masonry blocks.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the positioning the first and second extension portions includes positioning the anchor plate as a single-piece structure, the first and second extension portions being formed with the main plate portion.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the positioning the anchor plate portion as a single-piece structure comprises positioning the anchor plate portion as a seamless, monolithic structure.