Quick-Threaded Rod Locking Device and Method

Abstract

A device for securing a threaded rod relative to concrete is provided. The device can include a housing with a securement portion and plungers to engage with the threaded rod. The securement portion can be slidably received in a housing receptacle configured to be seated on a setting structure. A tapered portion of the housing can engage the plungers to secure the threaded rod.

1 . A method of securing a threaded rod relative to concrete, the method comprising:
 aligning a securement device relative to a setting structure, the securement device having a housing including: a securement portion and a housing flange that extends radially outwardly relative to the securement portion; plungers disposed within the securement portion; and a tapered portion within the securement portion;   striking the housing to fixedly secure the housing to the setting structure; and   after concrete is poured onto the setting structure and set around the housing flange to secure the housing within the concrete, securing the threaded rod relative to the concrete by:
 sliding the threaded rod into the securement portion, the threaded rod thereby engaging a tapered entry profile of the plungers to urge the plungers away from the threaded rod to admit the threaded rod between the plungers; and 
 after sliding the threaded rod into the securement portion of the housing, loading the threaded rod to urge the plungers against the tapered portion and thereby towards the threaded rod. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the setting structure is metal form decking. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the setting structure is plywood form decking. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a backplate arranged within an end opening of the housing to retain the plungers within the securement portion, between the backplate and the tapered portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the backplate secures a biasing element between the backplate and the plungers to bias the plungers toward the tapered portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securement device further includes a housing receptacle that surrounds and slidably supports a portion of the housing, relative to the striking of the housing to fixedly secure the housing to the setting structure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the housing receptacle defines a through hole, through which the threaded rod is slid into the securement portion of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . A device for securing a threaded rod relative to concrete, the device comprising:
 a housing configured to slidably receive the threaded rod in an insertion direction, the housing including a securement portion and a housing flange that extends outwardly relative to the securement portion to secure the housing in poured concrete;   biased plungers disposed within the securement portion to surround the threaded rod, the biased plungers including a tapered entry profile configured to urge the biased plungers away from the threaded rod when the threaded rod engages the biased plungers in the insertion direction; and   a tapered portion within the securement portion to urge the biased plungers toward the threaded rod when the threaded rod is engaged with the biased plungers and loaded in a withdrawal direction, opposite the insertion direction.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 means for fixedly securing the housing to metal form decking.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 means for fixedly the housing to plywood form decking.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a backplate arranged within an end opening of the housing to retain the biased plungers within the securement portion, between the backplate and the tapered portion.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a biasing spring between the backplate and the biased plungers, arranged to urge the biased plungers toward the tapered portion.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a housing receptacle configured to surround and slidably support a portion of the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing receptacle defines a through hole configured to permit insertion of the threaded rod into the securement portion of the housing through the housing receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the securement portion includes one or more exterior ribs to secure the housing within the through hole of the housing receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . A device for securing a threaded rod relative to concrete, the device comprising:
 a housing configured to slidably receive the threaded rod in an insertion direction, the housing including a securement portion and a housing flange that extends outwardly relative to the securement portion to be embedded in concrete that is poured over the housing;   biased plungers disposed within the securement portion to surround the threaded rod;   a tapered portion within the securement portion, configured to urge the plungers toward the threaded rod when the threaded rod is loaded in a withdrawal direction, opposite the insertion direction; and   a housing receptacle configured to surround and slidably support the securement portion of the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to be fixedly secured to a setting structure configured as metal form decking or plywood form decking. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a backplate arranged within an end opening of the housing to retain the plungers within the securement portion, with the plungers between the backplate and the tapered portion.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the biased plungers include a tapered entry profile configured to urge the plungers away from the threaded rod and the tapered portion when the threaded rod is slidably received in the housing to engage the biased plungers in the insertion direction. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing receptacle includes a through hole configured to admit the threaded rod into the securement portion of the housing in the insertion direction when the device is embedded in concrete.