Concrete anchor strap

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a concrete anchor strap for use with a concrete structure including an anchor member.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Embedded concrete anchor straps are used as anchorage points for various types of fall arrest systems and fall protection systems. For example, when used with a fall arrest system, the fall arrest system typically includes a full body safety harness worn by the user and a connecting subsystem such as an energy absorbing lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline interconnecting the full body safety harness and the concrete anchor strap.

[0005] As concrete is being poured, steel reinforcing bars (rebars) are typically used to strengthen the concrete structure. Concrete anchor straps may be looped about the rebars as the concrete is being poured and once the concrete has cured, a portion of the concrete anchor strap extends from the concrete to provide an anchorage point. The user may then connect to the concrete anchor strap while performing tasks proximate the concrete anchor strap. After the fall hazard has been eliminated, the concrete anchor strap is typically disconnected by cutting it proximate the concrete seam and then it is discarded.

[0006] In addition, the concrete anchor strap may be used to lift the concrete structure and when the concrete structure is in place, the concrete anchor strap may be disconnected by cutting it and then it is discarded.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment reusable concrete anchor strap for use with a concrete structure including at least one anchor member, a strap has an anchor end, a connector end, and an intermediate portion. A first loop member is operatively connected to the anchor end, and the first loop member is configured and arranged to engage the at least one anchor member of the concrete structure. A second loop member is operatively connected to the intermediate portion, and the second loop member allows for reuse of the strap when the first loop member is disconnected proximate the anchor end to create a second anchor end proximate the second loop member. The second loop member is configured and arranged to engage the at least one anchor member of the concrete structure.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment concrete anchor strap for use with a concrete structure including at least one anchor member, a strap has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The strap is folded so that the first end and the second end are proximate a connector end and the middle portion forms a first loop member proximate an anchor end. The first loop member is configured and arranged to engage the at least one anchor member of the concrete structure. A connector is operatively connected to the connector end.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment reusable concrete anchor strap for use with a concrete structure including at least one anchor member, a strap has a first end, a second end, a middle portion, and an intermediate portion. The strap is folded so that the first end and the second end are proximate a connector end and the middle portion forms a first loop member proximate an anchor end. The intermediate portion is a first segment and a second segment of the strap, the first segment being between the first end and the middle portion, and the second segment being between the second end and the middle portion. The first loop member is configured and arranged to engage the at least one anchor member of the concrete structure. A securement member secures the intermediate portion of the strap and interconnects the first segment and the second segment. The securement member forms a second loop member with the first segment and the second segment thereby allowing for reuse of the strap when the first loop member is disconnected proximate the securement member to create a second anchor end proximate the second loop member. The second loop member is configured and arranged to engage the at least one anchor member of the concrete structure.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment method of securing a reusable concrete anchor strap to at least one anchor member in a concrete structure, an anchor end of a strap is placed about the at least one anchor member thereby engaging the at least one anchor member. Concrete is poured over the anchor end of the strap and the at least one anchor member, and the concrete is allowed to cure thereby securing the anchor end of the strap to the at least one anchor member within the cured concrete. The strap is disconnected between the concrete and a securement member thereby creating a second anchor end, the second anchor end allowing the strap to be reused.

[0016] A preferred embodiment concrete anchor strap constructed according to the principles of the present invention is designated by the numerals 100 and 300 in the drawings.

[0017] The concrete anchor strap 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a strap 101 preferably made of a 1¾ inch wide polyester webbing having a first end 102, a second end 103, a middle portion 104, and an intermediate portion 107. The strap 101 is preferably folded over to form a double layer of webbing with one piece of webbing. The first end 102 and the second end 103 are at one end of the strap 101 proximate a connector end 106, and the middle portion 104 forms a first loop member 109 at the opposite end of the strap 101 proximate an anchor end 105. In other words, the first end 102 and the second end 103 are brought together to form a double layer of webbing, and the webbing forms a first loop member 109 at the opposite end. One benefit of the double layer of webbing is that it provides added strength in the concrete anchor strap 100, which provides a fall arrest anchorage point up to 5,000 pounds of force. The first loop member 109 is configured and arranged to engage an anchor member 201 in a concrete structure 200.

[0018] The intermediate portion 107 includes a first segment 107a and a second segment 107b. The first segment 107a is a portion of the strap 101 between the second end 103 and the middle portion 104, and the second segment 107b is a portion of the strap 101 between the first end 102 and the middle portion 104. A securement member 110 secures the intermediate portion 107 of the strap 101 and interconnects the first segment 107a and the second segment 107b forming a second loop member 111 between the first segment 107a and the second segment 107b, which allows for reuse of the strap 101 when the first loop member 109 is disconnected proximate the securement member 110 to create a second anchor end proximate the second loop member 111. The securement member 110 is located between the anchor end 105 and the connector end 106, and the second loop member 111 is located between the securement member 110 and the connector end 106. Proximate the securement member 110 and the anchor end 105 is a separation area 117 where the first loop member 109 may be disconnected after use. The first loop member 109 is disconnected between the securement member 110 and the anchor end 105 to create a second anchor end proximate the second loop member 111. The second loop member 111 is configured and arranged to engage an anchor member 201 in a concrete structure 200.

[0019] Similarly, a securement member 113 may also be used to form a third loop member 114. The securement member 113 is located between the securement member 110 and the connector end 106, and the third loop member 114 is located between the securement member 113 and the connector end 106. Proximate the securement member 113 and the second anchor end is a separation area 118 where the second loop member 111 may be disconnected after use thereby creating a third anchor end proximate the third loop member 114. The second loop member 111 is disconnected between the securement member 113 and the second anchor end to create the third anchor end. The third loop member 114 is configured and arranged to engage an anchor member 201 in a concrete structure 200.

[0020] An optional sleeve 115 may be used with the concrete anchor strap 100. The sleeve 115 is preferably tubular webbing through which the strap 101 is inserted. The sleeve 115 encases a portion of the strap 101 and provides wear resistance on the strap 101. In other words, sleeve 115 acts as a wear pad for abrasion resistance on the strap 101 during use of the concrete anchor strap 100. The sleeve 115 preferably extends from proximate the connector end 106 to proximate the anchor end 105. The securement members interconnect the strap 101 and the sleeve 115. The sleeve 115 may include interruptions 116, and the securement members preferably span the portion of the strap 101 not covered by the sleeve 115 and the sleeve 115 thereby interconnecting the strap 101 and the sleeve 115. In other words, the securement members begin on the strap 101 and extend into the sleeve 115 encasing the strap 101. Not only do the securement members secure the strap 101 and form loop members, but the securement members also keep the sleeve 115 in place on the strap 101. The optional interruptions 116 in the sleeve 115 and the securement members allow for easy reuse of the concrete anchor strap, and it is recognized that any number of interruptions 116 may be included to allow for reuse a corresponding number of times.

[0021] The sleeve 115 includes a first portion 115a, a second portion 115b, and a third portion 115c separated by the interruptions 116. The first portion 115a extends from proximate the securement member 112 to proximate the third loop member 114. The second portion 115b extends from proximate the securement member 110 to proximate the first loop member 109. The third portion 115c extends from proximate the securement member 113 to proximate the second loop member 111. The sleeve portions and the interruptions 116 provide easy access to the loop members for reuse of the strap.

[0022] The connector end 106 is operatively connected to a connector 108, which is preferably a D-ring to provide a compatible connection point for a connecting subsystem such as a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline. The connector 108 could also be a loop in the webbing or any other suitable device known in the art. The first end 102 and the second end 103 are inserted through a slot in the D-ring and then operatively connected to the webbing and the optional sleeve 115 with a securement member 112, which is preferably stitching through the webbing and the sleeve 115. As shown in FIG. 2, the first end 102 terminates proximate the slot in the D-ring and the second end 103 extends past the D-ring and overlaps the webbing. More specifically, the first end 102 is secured by stitching on one side of the D-ring in one location on the webbing and the sleeve 115 and the second end 103 is secured by stitching on both sides of the D-ring in two locations on the webbing and the sleeve 115. In other words, the stitching is sewn through the webbing and the sleeve to secure the first end 102 (in one location) and the second end 103 (in two locations) to the sleeve. However, it is recognized that either one end or both ends of the webbing may be secured by stitching on both sides of the D-ring (in two locations).

[0023] In operation, as shown in FIG. 3, a concrete structure 200 includes an anchor member 201, which is preferably a rebar. It is recognized that the anchor member could be rebars, loops, or other structures well known in the art. The first loop member 109 is positioned about the anchor member 201 in a desired position and/or orientation. Concrete is then poured over the first loop member 109 and the second portion 115b of the sleeve 115. The concrete is then allowed to cure and solidify. Once the concrete is cured, the first loop member 109 is secured to the anchor member 201 thereby providing an anchorage point. The user may interconnect the D-ring and the user's safety harness with a lanyard, a self-retracting lifeline, or other suitable device well known in the art. During use of the strap 101, the sleeve 115 provides wear resistance for the strap 101. When the anchorage point is no longer needed, the concrete anchor strap 100 may be disconnected by simply cutting the strap 101 proximate the separation area 117. This releases the portion of the strap 101 that is not embedded into the concrete. The portion of the strap 101 embedded into the concrete is left in the concrete. The second loop member 111 may then be similarly secured to an anchor member to provide another anchorage point. When this anchorage point is no longer needed, the concrete anchor strap 100 may be disconnected by simply cutting the strap 101 proximate the separation area 118. The third loop member 114 may then be similarly secured to an anchor member to provide yet another anchorage point. Again, when this anchorage point is no longer needed, the concrete anchor strap 100 may be disconnected by simply cutting the strap 101 proximate the concrete. The concrete anchor strap 100 may then be discarded.

[0024] The concrete anchor strap 100 is reusable and then disposable. 10 Alternatively, rather than having a double thick webbing secured together to create the loop members, the loop members could be a separate member operatively connected to a strap by stitching, rivets, or other connecting members well known in the art. The loop members could also be incorporated into a single layer of webbing and formed by the single layer of webbing. For example, loops could be formed with the webbing and secured to form the loop members. When reuse of the strap is desired, the strap would be cut below the next loop member until there are no longer any loop members remaining, at which point the strap would be discarded.

[0025] The concrete anchor strap 300, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes a strap 301 preferably made of a 1¾ inch wide polyester webbing having a first end 302, a second end 303, a middle portion 304, and an intermediate portion 307. The strap 301 is preferably folded over to form a double layer of webbing with one piece of webbing. The first end 302 and the second end 303 are at one end of the strap 301 proximate a connector end 306, and the middle portion 304 forms a loop member 309 at the opposite end of the strap 301 proximate an anchor end 305. In other words, the first end 302 and the second end 303 are brought together to form a double layer of webbing, and the webbing forms a loop member 309 at the opposite end. One benefit of the double layer of webbing is that it provides added strength in the concrete anchor strap 300, which provides a fall arrest anchorage point up to 5,000 pounds of force. The loop member 309 is configured and arranged to engage an anchor member in a concrete structure.

[0026] The intermediate portion 307 includes a first segment 307a and a second segment 307b. The first segment 307a is a portion of the strap 301 between the second end 303 and the middle portion 304, and the second segment 307b is a portion of the strap 301 between the first end 302 and the middle portion 304.

[0027] An optional sleeve 315 may be used with the concrete anchor strap 300. The sleeve 315 is preferably tubular webbing through which the strap 301 is inserted. The sleeve 315 encases a portion of the strap 301 and provides wear resistance on the strap 301. In other words, sleeve 315 acts as a wear pad for abrasion resistance on the strap 301 during use of the concrete anchor strap 300. The sleeve 315 preferably extends from proximate the connector end 306 to proximate the anchor end 305. A securement member 312 interconnects the strap 301 and the sleeve 315.

[0028] The connector end 306 is operatively connected to a connector 308, which is preferably a D-ring to provide a compatible connection point for a connecting subsystem such as a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline. The first end 302 and the second end 303 are inserted through a slot in the D-ring and then operatively connected to the webbing and the optional sleeve 315 with the securement member 312, which is preferably stitching through the webbing and the sleeve 315. As shown in FIG. 5, the first end 302 terminates proximate the slot in the D-ring and the second end 303 extends past the D-ring. In other words, the first end 302 is secured by stitching on one side of the D-ring in one location on the webbing and the sleeve 315 and the second end 303 is secured by stitching on both sides of the D-ring in two locations on the webbing and the sleeve 315. However, it is recognized that either one end or both ends of the webbing may be secured by stitching on both sides of the D-ring.

[0029] In operation, a concrete structure includes an anchor member, which is preferably a rebar. It is recognized that the anchor member could be rebars, loops, or other structures well known in the art. The loop member 309 is positioned about the anchor member in a desired position and/or orientation. Concrete is then poured over the loop member 309 and a portion of the sleeve 315. The concrete is then allowed to cure and solidify. Once the concrete is cured, the loop member 309 is secured to the anchor member thereby providing an anchorage point. The user may interconnect the D-ring and the user's safety harness with a lanyard, a self-retracting lifeline, or other suitable device well known in the art. During use of the strap 301, the sleeve 315 provides wear resistance for the strap 301. When the anchorage point is no longer needed, the concrete anchor strap 300 may be disconnected by simply cutting the strap 301 proximate the concrete. This releases the portion of the strap 301 that is not embedded into the concrete. The portion of the strap 301 embedded into the concrete is left in the concrete. The strap 101 may then be discarded.

[0030] The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.