Method and apparatus for lifting and securing a concrete panel in place above a road bed

Abstract

An apparatus to be embedded within a precast concrete panel or slab to enable the panel to be lifted, moved to a road bed, and secured in place above the road bed. A lifting apparatus is embedded at each corner of the panel. Each apparatus has a hollow threaded sleeve extending through the panel to receive a removable threaded lifting bolt by which to establish a lifting point at which a lifting force is applied to lift and position the panel on support blocks seated on the road bed. When the threaded lifting bolt is removed from each hollow threaded sleeve, grout is pumped through the panel by way of the hollow sleeve to fill the space established by the support blocks between the panel and the road bed. The method and apparatus have particular application during construction or repair of a roadway.

1 . A method for lifting and transporting a concrete panel to a surface and retaining the panel in place above the surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 embedding within the concrete panel at least one hollow sleeve that runs through said panel;   coupling a lifting bolt to said hollow sleeve;   applying a lifting force to said lifting bolt by which the concrete panel is lifted and transported to the surface;   uncoupling said lifting bolt from said hollow sleeve after the concrete panel has been transported to the surface; and   pumping a curable filler material through said hollow sleeve for receipt below the concrete panel.   
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said hollow sleeve and said lifting bolt is threaded, said method comprising the additional step of rotating said threaded lifting bolt into mating engagement with said hollow threaded sleeve during the step of coupling said lifting bolt to said sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 2 , comprising the additional steps of connecting a removable threaded plug to said hollow threaded sleeve below the top of said concrete panel; and
 removing said threaded plug from said threaded sleeve prior to the step of rotating said threaded lifting bolt into mating engagement with said threaded sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1 , comprising the additional steps of laying at least one support block on the surface prior to the step of applying a lifting force to said lifting bolt;
 seating the concrete panel on said support block when the panel is lifted and transported to the surface, whereby a space is established between the panel and the surface; and filling said space with said curable filler material during the step when said curable material is pumped through said hollow sleeve.   
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 4 , comprising the additional step of laying a plurality of support blocks on the surface so as to lie below respective ones of the corners of the concrete panel when said panel is transported to the surface and seated on said plurality of support blocks. 
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 1 , comprising the additional step of attaching at least one retaining bar to said hollow sleeve so that said retaining bar end extends outwardly from said hollow sleeve to anchor said sleeve in place embedded within the concrete panel. 
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 6 , wherein the concrete panel has a plurality of reinforcement bars embedded therewithin, said method comprising the additional step of positioning said retaining bar attached to said hollow sleeve so as to engage at least some of the plurality of reinforcement bars embedded within the concrete panel to anchor said sleeve in place embedded within the panel. 
     
     
         8 . A method for lifting and transporting a concrete panel to a surface and retaining the panel in place above the surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 locating at least one spacer on said surface;   embedding within opposite sides of the concrete panel a plurality of hollow threaded sleeves that run through the panel;   rotating a plurality of threaded lifting bolts into mating engagement with respective ones of said plurality of hollow threaded sleeves;   applying a lifting force to said plurality of lifting bolts by which the concrete panel is lifted and transported to the surface;   lowering the concrete panel towards the surface until the panel is seated on said spacer so that a space is established between the panel and the surface;   rotating said plurality of threaded lifting bolts out of their mating engagement with said plurality of hollow threaded sleeves; and   pumping a curable filler material through said plurality of hollow threaded sleeves to fill the space between the concrete panel and the surface on which said spacer is located.   
     
     
         9 . A combination, comprising:
 a concrete panel having a top and a bottom;   an apparatus embedded within said concrete panel and including at least one hollow sleeve extending through said panel between the top and the bottom thereof;   a lifting bolt removably coupled to the hollow sleeve of said apparatus embedded within said concrete panel, said lifting bolt being responsive to a lifting force applied thereto by which said concrete panel is lifted and transported to a surface; and   a supply of curable filler material to be pumped through said hollow sleeve extending through said concrete panel when said lifting bolt is uncoupled from said sleeve, whereby said curable material is delivered by way of said hollow sleeve between the bottom of said panel and the surface to which said panel is transported.   
     
     
         10 . The combination recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of said hollow sleeve and said lifting bolt is threaded, said lifting bolt being responsive to a rotational force applied thereto in a first direction by which said threaded lifting bolt is advanced into mating engagement with said hollow threaded sleeve when said lifting bolt is coupled to said sleeve, and said threaded lifting bolt being responsive to a rotational force in an opposite direction to remove said threaded lifting bolt from said hollow threaded sleeve when said threaded lifting bolt is uncoupled from said threaded hollow sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The combination recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a threaded plug detachably connected to said threaded hollow sleeve below the top of said concrete panel, said threaded plug being responsive to a rotational force applied thereto by which said plug is detached from said sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The combination recited in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one spacer seated on the surface to receive and support said concrete panel above said surface when said panel is lifted and transported to the surface, said spacer establishing a space between the bottom of said concrete panel and the surface to be filled with said supply of curable filler material when said filler material is pumped through said hollow sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The combination recited in  claim 9 , said apparatus embedded within said concrete panel also including at least one retaining bar bent around and attached to said hollow sleeve so as to extend outwardly therefrom to anchor said sleeve in place within said concrete panel.