Concrete panel bolted foundation connection and method

Abstract

A steel connector is embedded in the concrete wall panel when the wall is cast. A block-out forms a void in the wall panel and keeps the poured concrete from filling the inside of the steel connector during the casting process. The angle at which the base of the steel connector is disposed within the concrete wall panel provides the proper angle for a fastening bolt to be inserted through the steel connector and into the foundation. The fastening bolt passes the base of the steel connector into the concrete foundation to securely attach the wall panel to the foundation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concrete foundation connection device for connecting a concrete panel having upstanding walls and a bottom surface to a concrete foundation comprising:
 a connector comprising a base plate having a top and bottom surface and a top edge, a pair of opposed arms extending from the top edge of the base plate;   a block-out having opposed sidewalls that are in contact with the pair of opposed arms, the block-out having a hollow interior;   the block-out having a bottom surface that covers the top surface of the base plate when the block-out is mounted between the pair of opposed arms;   the base plate disposed at an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface of the concrete panel;   the connector and block-out cast within the concrete panel when the concrete panel is cast, the block-out covering the top surface of the base plate;   a fastener having a long axis that passes through the hollow interior of the block-out, through the bottom surface of the block-out, through the base plate, and into the concrete foundation for securely mounting the concrete panel onto the foundation.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete foundation connection device of  claim 1  wherein the long axis of the fastener is perpendicular to the top surface of the base plate. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete foundation connection device of  claim 1  wherein the base plate is disposed at an acute angle of between 24-28 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the concrete panel. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete foundation connection device if  claim 1  wherein the connector further comprises a second pair of opposed arms extending from the bottom edge of the base plate, the first and second pair or opposed arms anchoring the connector in the concrete panel. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete foundation connection device wherein the block-out has a back wall that is perpendicular to the base plate and parallel to the long axis of the fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete foundation connection device of  claim 1  and further comprising a hole in the base plate and a hole in the bottom of the block-out and wherein the two holes are in alignment with each other when the block-out is mounted in the connector. 
     
     
         7 . A method for connecting a concrete panel having upstanding walls and a bottom surface to a concrete foundation having a top planar surface comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a concrete foundation connection device comprising a connector having a base plate with a top and bottom surface and a top edge, a pair of opposed arms extending from the top edge of the base plate;   b. mounting a block-out having a bottom portion and opposed sidewalls between the pair of opposed arms that is in contact with the pair of opposed arms, the block-out having a hollow interior;   c. covering the hollow interior of the block-out with a removable covering;   d. positioning and retaining the block-out and connector on an interior wall of a casting form so that the base plate is disposed at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the bottom surface of the concrete panel made using the casting form;   e. pouring liquid concrete into the casting form such that it covers the concrete foundation connection device and the block-out while not allowing the liquid concrete to enter the hollow interior of the block-out;   f. curing the liquid concrete in the casting form to create the concrete panel and removing the concrete panel from the casting form;   g. placing the concrete panel on top of the foundation such that the bottom surface of the panel is in parallel alignment with the top planar surface of the foundation;   h. removing the removable covering to expose the hollow interior of the block-out;   i. drilling a hole through the block-out and base plate into the foundation that is perpendicular to the top and bottom surface of the base plate; and   j. driving a fastener through the block-out and base plate, and into the hole formed in the foundation.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  and further setting the predetermined acute angle with respect to the bottom surface of the concrete panel made using the casting form at an angle of between 24 to 28 degrees.