Anchoring system

Abstract

An anchoring device having a length of reinforcing material, a shell section attached to the reinforcing material, wherein the shell section has a hollow inner core, and a wedge located at least partially in the inner core of said shell section. In one embodiment, the wedge section is integral with the reinforcing material. In a preferred embodiment, the shell section has four segments and the wedge and the shell section have circumferential barbs on an outer portion thereof to provide greater retention properties for the anchoring system. One embodiment of the present invention also includes a method of attaching a reinforcing structure having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis to an existing substrate, the method including the steps of drilling an aperture in the substrate, inserting the first end of the reinforcing structure in the aperture, the first end containing a shell portion attached thereto, the shell portion having a hollow inner core, the shell portion further containing a wedge partially inserted in the hollow inner core. The method further includes, in one embodiment of the invention, hammering the second end of the reinforcing structure in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and toward the aperture, wherein the hammering causes the wedge to be driven into the hollow inner core, thereby causing the end of the shell portion to flare outward and against the walls of the aperture.

1 . An anchoring device comprising: 
 a length of reinforcing material;    a shell section attached to said reinforcing material, wherein said shell section has a hollow inner core and is segmented on one end thereof;    a wedge located at least partially in the inner core of said shell section.    
   
   
       2 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing material is rebar.  
   
   
       3 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing material is threaded rod;  
   
   
       4 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said shell section has four segments.  
   
   
       5 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said shell section contains barbs on an outside portion thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The anchoring device of  claim 5 , wherein said barbs are circumferential.  
   
   
       7 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said wedge us frusto-conical in shape.  
   
   
       8 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said wedge contains barbs on an outside portion thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The anchoring device of  claim 8 , wherein said barbs are circumferential.  
   
   
       10 . The anchoring device of  claim 8 , wherein said inner core of said shell section contains locking detents, wherein said locking detents are designed to engage said barbs on said wedge to prevent said wedge from being removed from said inner core.  
   
   
       11 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , wherein said shell portion is attached to said reinforcing structure by a crimp connection.  
   
   
       12 . A method of attaching a reinforcing structure having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis to an existing substrate, said method comprising: 
 drilling an aperture in said substrate;    inserting said first end of said reinforcing structure in said aperture, said first end containing a shell portion attached thereto, said shell portion having a hollow inner core and being segmented on one end thereof, said shell portion further containing a wedge partially inserted in said hollow inner core;    hammering said second end of said substrate in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis and toward said aperture, wherein said hammering causes said wedge to be driven into said hollow inner core, thereby causing the segmented end of said shell portion to flare outward and against the walls of said aperture.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said reinforcing structure is rebar.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said reinforcing structure is threaded rod.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said shell portion has four segments on said one end thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said shell portion has circumferential barbs on an outer portion thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said wedge has circumferential barbs on an outer portion thereof.  
   
   
       18 . An anchoring device comprising: 
 a length of reinforcing material;    a shell section attached to said reinforcing material, wherein said shell section has a hollow inner core; and    a wedge proximate one end of said reinforcing material.    
   
   
       19 . The anchoring device of  claim 18 , wherein said shell section is segmented and wherein said shell section is slidably attached to said reinforcing material.  
   
   
       20 . The anchoring device of  claim 18 , wherein said wedge is integral with said reinforcing material