Tensioning anchor suitable for blind-hole tendon anchoring and tendon repair

Abstract

A tendon anchor system includes an anchor body adapted to receive a tendon through one end. The anchor body has a threaded coupling at the other end. A retaining device is disposed within the anchor body for retaining the tendon within the anchor body. An anchor is disposed within an anchoring structure. The anchor has a threaded coupling. The threaded coupling in the anchor has an opposite thread direction to the threaded coupling in the anchor body. A jack screw threadedly engages with both the threaded coupling in the anchor body and in the anchor.

1 . A tendon anchor system, comprising: 
 an anchor body adapted to receive a tendon through one end, the anchor body having a threaded coupling at the other end;    a retaining device disposed within the anchor body for retaining the tendon within the anchor body;    an anchor disposed within an anchoring structure, the anchor having a threaded coupling, the threaded coupling on the anchor having an opposite thread direction to the threaded coupling in the anchor body; and    a jack screw threadedly engaged with both the threaded coupling in the anchor body and the threaded coupling in the anchor.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retaining device comprises a wedge disposed in a tapered receiving bore in the anchor body.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a set screw threadedly engaged with the a threaded internal opening in the anchor body so as to compress one longitudinal end of the wedge.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the threaded coupling on the anchor body comprises internal threads, and at least one threaded coupling on the jack screw comprises external threads.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the threaded coupling on the anchor body comprises external threads, and at least one threaded coupling on the jack screw comprises internal threads.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a strain gauge on the jack screw.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the strain gauge comprises a gauge hole adapted to mate with a gauge pin when a selected tension is applied to the jack screw.  
   
   
       8 . A tendon coupling system, comprising: 
 a first anchor body adapted to receive a first tendon through one end, the first anchor body having a threaded coupling in an internal wall at the other end;    a first retaining device disposed within the first anchor body for retaining the first tendon within the first anchor body;    a second anchor body adapted to receive a second tendon through one end, the second anchor body having a threaded coupling formed in an internal wall thereof at the other end, the threaded coupling in the second anchor body having an opposite thread direction to the threaded coupling in the first anchor body;    a second retaining device disposed within the second anchor body for retaining the second tendon within the second anchor body; and    a jack screw directly threadedly engaged with the threaded coupling in both the first anchor body and the threaded coupling in the second anchor body.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein each retaining device comprises a wedge disposed in a tapered receiving bore in the respective anchor body.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a set screw threadedly engaged with an internal surface of each anchor body so as to compress one longitudinal end of each wedge.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the threaded coupling on at least one anchor body comprises internal threads, and at least one threaded coupling on the jack screw comprises external threads.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the threaded coupling on at least one anchor body comprises external threads, and at least one threaded coupling on the jack screw comprises internal threads.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a strain gauge on the jack screw.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the strain gauge comprises a gauge hole adapted to mate with a gauge pin when a selected tension is applied to the jack screw.