Embedded Height Adjustment Mechanism for Double-Wall Building Panels

Abstract

A height adjustment mechanism adjusts the height between first and second walls of a building panel. The walls are typically formed from poured concrete. The mechanism includes a tubular base with an interior threaded surface and extending arms for embedding the base within the first wall when cured. A cap is removable from the base upon curing of the first wall material to expose the base interior threaded surface. A cylindrical torpedo screw is translatable vertically upon rotation of the torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis within the base. The torpedo screw distal end is immersible within the second wall material before curing. In operation, removal of the cap from the base exposes the torpedo screw proximal end such that rotation of the torpedo screw at its proximal end adjusts vertical orientation of the first wall with respect to the second wall.

1 . A mechanism for adjusting the height between first and second walls of a multiple-wall building panel, each of said walls formed from a slurried material pourable into a frame disposed horizontally and curable therein to solidify said material, the mechanism comprising:
 (a) a tubular base having an interior threaded surface and at least one arm extending from said base exterior, said at least one arm embedding said base within said first wall when cured;   (b) a cap removably attached at a first end to said base and at a second end to said frame interior surface, said cap removable from said base upon curing of said first wall material to expose said base;   (c) a cylindrical torpedo screw having a distal end, a proximal end and a threaded exterior surface therebetween, said torpedo screw threads capable of cooperating with said base interior threads such that said torpedo screw is translatable vertically upon rotation of said torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis within said base, said torpedo screw distal end immersible within said second wall material before curing and contacting said frame interior surface,   whereby removal of said cap from said base exposes said torpedo screw proximal end such that rotation of said torpedo at its proximal end adjusts vertical orientation of said first wall with respect to said second wall.   
     
     
         2 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said slurried material is concrete. 
     
     
         3 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said building panel is double-walled. 
     
     
         4 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one arm comprises a plurality of arms. 
     
     
         5 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said torpedo screw proximal end comprises a fitting capable of cooperating with a tool for rotating said torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein said tool is a socket wrench and said fitting is configured to cooperate with said socket interior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the cap includes interior threads configured to receive an exterior surface of the tubular base such that the cap is translatable vertically relative to the tubular base upon rotation of the cap about the tubular base. 
     
     
         8 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the cap is configured to cooperate with a tool for rotating the cap about the tubular base. 
     
     
         9 . The height adjustment mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the tool is a cone wrench and the second end is configured to receive an exterior surface of the cone wrench. 
     
     
         10 . A method of adjusting the height between first and second walls of a multiple-wall building panel, each of said walls formed from a slurried material pourable into a frame disposed horizontally and curable therein to solidify said material, the method comprising:
 (a) attaching a cap at one end to a tubular base and at its other end to said frame interior surface;   (b) embedding said tubular base within said first wall material, said base having an interior threaded surface and at least one arm extending from said base exterior, said at least one arm embedding said base within said first wall when cured;   (c) inverting said cured first wall such that said cap extends vertically upwardly from said base;   (d) removing said cap from said first wall, thereby exposing said base interior threaded surface;   (e) inserting a cylindrical torpedo screw within said base, said torpedo screw having a distal end, a proximal end and a threaded exterior surface therebetween, said torpedo screw threads capable of cooperating with said base interior threads such that said torpedo screw is translatable vertically upon rotation of said torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis within said base;   (f) immersing said torpedo screw distal end within said second wall material before curing, said torpedo screw distal end contacting said frame interior surface;   (g) rotating said torpedo screw at its proximal end to vertically orient said first wall with respect to said second wall.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said slurried material is concrete. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said building panel is double-walled. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one arm comprises a plurality of arms. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said torpedo screw proximal end comprises a fitting capable of cooperating with a tool for rotating said torpedo screw about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said tool is a socket wrench and said fitting is configured to cooperate with said socket interior surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cap includes a first end comprising interior threads configured to receive an exterior surface of the tubular base such that the cap is translatable vertically relative to the tubular base upon rotation of the cap about the tubular base. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cap includes a second end configured to cooperate with a tool for rotating the cap about the tubular base. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tool is a cone wrench and the second end is configured to receive an exterior surface of the cone wrench.