Combination lift and anchor connector for fabricated wall and floor panels

Abstract

An apparatus and method for interconnecting concrete precast floor and wall panels is provided. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes an adjustable connector with a captive nut that is embedded into a wall panel. A floor panel that includes an aperture integrated therethrough is placed adjacent to the adjustable connector wherein the captive nut therein may be positioned in line with the aperture. A threaded rod is then placed through the aperture of the floor panel and a nut is placed thereon thus providing a secure interconnection between the floor panel and the wall panel.

1 . A method of interconnecting a first prefabricated wall panel to a floor panel, comprising: 
 providing a wall panel having an upper end, a lower end and an adjustable connection device embedded proximate to said upper end;    providing a floor panel having an aperture positioned proximate to at least one of a first end and a second end and including a metal sheath positioned therein that is adapted for selective interconnection with a lifting mechanism;    placing said floor panel atop said upper end of said wall panel wherein said aperture is generally aligned with said adjustable connection device;    inserting a threaded rod into said aperture after removal of said lifting mechanism; and    interconnecting said threaded rod to said adjustable connection device, wherein said floor panel and said wall panel are operably interconnected.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising filling said aperture in said floor panel and said metal sheath with a particulate matter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said particulate matter is sand.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising filling said aperture in said floor panel and said metal sheath with at least one of an epoxy or a cement.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable connection device comprises a threaded nut slidingly engaged within a channel, wherein said nut may be operably positioned to a plurality of positions.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said threaded nut is biased within said channel to allow vertical movement therein.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lifting mechanism comprises at least one of a threaded rod, bolt, strap or clamp.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wall panel is comprised at least partially of a low density insulation material.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising drilling a further portion of said floor panel in alignment with said metal sheath to create an aperture extending entirely through said floor panel.  
   
   
       10 . A lift anchor adapted for lifting and securing at least one of a prefabricated concrete floor panel to a prefabricated concrete wall panel, comprising: 
 a substantially hollow tube having a distinct internal profile which is adapted for selective interconnection with a lift pin, the hollow tube adapted for placement in said at least one prefabricated concrete floor panel and said prefabricated wall panel; and    a securement pin operably sized for positioning through said substantially hollow tube and for penetration into at least part of said at least one prefabricated concrete wall panel and said prefabricated floor panel.    
   
   
       11 . The lift anchor of  claim 10 , wherein said substantially hollow tube is comprised of a metallic material.  
   
   
       12 . The lift anchor of  claim 10 , wherein said securement pan is comprised of at least one of a metallic material, a fiberglass material and a ceramic material.  
   
   
       13 . The lift anchor of  claim 10 , further comprising an adjustable interconnection device positioned in said prefabricated concrete wall panel proximate to an upper end which is adapted for interconnection to said securement pin.  
   
   
       14 . The lift anchor of  claim 13 , wherein said adjustable interconnection device comprises a biased nut capable of traveling between multiple positions.  
   
   
       15 . The lift anchor of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one of said prefabricated concrete wall panel and said prefabricated concrete floor panel are partially comprised of a low density insulative material.  
   
   
       16 . A method for interconnecting a first prefabricated wall panel to a second prefabricated wall panel, comprising: 
 providing a first prefabricated wall panel with an upper end and a lower end;    providing a connection device positioned proximate to an upper end of said first prefabricated wall panel;    providing a second prefabricated wall panel with an upper end and a lower end, said lower end comprising an access pocket and an aperture extending downwardly therefrom in a substantially vertical direction which is adapted to receive a rod;    positioning said lower end of said second prefabricated wall panel on said upper end of said first prefabricated wall panel, wherein said aperture is positioned proximate to said connection device;    inserting said interconnection device into said aperture; and    interconnecting said rod to said interconnection device; wherein said first prefabricated wall panel is operably interconnected to said second prefabricated wall panel.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising utilizing a lift pin engaged to said interconnection device during said positioning of said first wall.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning a grout material in said aperture after interconnecting the rod to the interconnection device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said grout material is at least one of a sand, an epoxy and a cement.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising interconnecting a prefabricated floor panel to said first prefabricated wall and said second prefabricated wall.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said connection device comprises a receiver adapted to move between a plurality of positions.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said receiver comprises a threaded nut which is biased in a substantially vertical direction.