Injection molded thermoplastic insert

Abstract

A plastic insert for concrete structures includes a barrel for receiving a threaded fastener. According to one embodiment, the insert includes a housing at a distal end receiving an internally threaded member for engaging the threaded fastener. The insert includes bar-engaging members at the distal end for contacting concrete-reinforcing bars of the concrete structure. The insert also includes a bar-engaging member at the proximal end including a retainer defining a substantially semi-circular channel for receipt of a U-shaped portion of a bar. According to another embodiment, the insert includes a base at the distal end extending outwardly from the barrel to define an anchoring surface oriented perpendicular to the barrel axis. Longitudinal ribs on the barrel include segments arranged in series. Each segment of the rib extends radially to a distance that decreases with each succeeding segment such that each segment defines a bearing surface.

1 . An insert for incorporation into a concrete structure to facilitate attachment of a threaded fastener to the concrete structure, the insert comprising: 
 an elongated barrel defining an interior for receiving a shaft of a threaded fastener, the barrel having opposite proximal and distal ends;    a housing connected to the barrel adjacent the distal end of the barrel, the housing defining an interior adapted for receipt of an internally threaded member for engagement with a threaded portion of the fastener shaft; and    at least one bar-engaging member connected to the housing adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the housing and extending outwardly therefrom for contact with a concrete-reinforcing bar of the concrete structure to anchor the insert within the concrete structure.    
   
   
       2 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior defined by the housing is substantially hexagonal in shape for receiving a hex-head nut member.  
   
   
       3 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bar-engaging member comprises an angle connected to the housing at each of opposite sides of the housing, each angle arranged for receipt of a concrete-reinforcing bar between the angle and the barrel.  
   
   
       4 . The insert according to  claim 1  further comprising a bar-engaging member located adjacent the proximal end of the barrel adapted for contact with a concrete-reinforcing bar of the concrete structure.  
   
   
       5 . The insert according to  claim 4 , wherein the bar-engaging member at the proximal end of the barrel includes a retainer defining a substantially semi-circular channel adapted for receipt of a U-shaped portion of the concrete-reinforcing bar.  
   
   
       6 . The insert according to  claim 5 , wherein the retainer of the proximal bar-engaging member is connected to a base defining a substantially cylindrical interior, and wherein the proximal end of the barrel is removably received within the interior of the base to facilitate receipt of the U-shaped portion of the concrete-reinforcing bar in the channel defined by the retainer.  
   
   
       7 . The insert according to  claim 1  further comprising a cover adapted for removable attachment to the housing such that the interior defined by the housing is enclosed.  
   
   
       8 . The insert according to  claim 7 , wherein the cover includes at least one snap-attachment member adapted to engage a post connected to the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The insert according to  claim 7  further comprising an elongated flexible connector connected at opposite ends to the housing and the cover.  
   
   
       10 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrel, the housing and the at least one bar-engaging member are made from a plastic material.