US-12624563-B2 - Earthquake anchor

US12624563B2US 12624563 B2US12624563 B2US 12624563B2US-12624563-B2

Abstract

An earthquake anchor for a mass plywood panel has a replaceable fuse plate clamped between two members embedded into the mass plywood panel and anchored to the floor or foundation. The fuse plate deforms in an earthquake but keeps the mass plywood panel intact. The deformed fuse plate is then replaced with a new fuse plate.

Inventors

Mikhail Gershfeld
Matthew Slazas
Michael Waggoner

Assignees

Mikhail Gershfeld
Matthew Slazas
Michael Waggoner

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240801

Claims (2)

1 . An earthquake anchor for a mass plywood panel comprising: a top C-shaped member comprising downward arms terminating in downward facing flanges; a bottom C-shaped member comprising a base and upward arms terminating in upward facing flanges; at least one fuse plate clamped between the downward facing flanges and the upward facing flanges, the at least one fuse plate disposed substantially parallel to a floor, such that the top C-shaped member, the bottom C-shaped member and the at least one fuse plate form a substantially rectangular frame; a threaded bolt comprising a proximate end and a distal end, the distal end affixed to the floor by way of attachment means, the threaded bolt disposed substantially perpendicularly to the floor; wherein the substantially rectangular frame configured to be mounted in a rectangular opening formed in the mass plywood panel, the substantially rectangular frame adapted to snugly fit therein; wherein the threaded bolt configured to be inserted in a vertical bore formed in the mass plywood panel, the vertical bore communicating with the rectangular opening; wherein the at least one fuse plate comprising a first opening disposed substantially in the middle of the at least one fuse plate; wherein the base comprising a second opening, such that the first opening, the second opening and the vertical bore are aligned, the first opening and the second opening receiving the proximal end; wherein a pair of nuts threaded on the threaded bolt and disposed on either side of the at least one fuse plate abutting the at least one fuse plate.
2 . An earthquake anchor for a mass plywood panel comprising: a top C-shaped member comprising downward arms terminating in downward facing flanges; a bottom C-shaped member comprising a base and upward arms terminating in upward facing flanges; at least one fuse plate clamped between the downward facing flanges and the upward facing flanges, the at least one fuse plate disposed substantially parallel to a floor, such that the top C-shaped member, the bottom C-shaped member and the at least one fuse plate form a substantially circular frame; a threaded bolt comprising a proximate end and a distal end, the distal end affixed to the floor by way of attachment means, the threaded bolt disposed substantially perpendicularly to the floor; wherein the substantially circular frame configured to be mounted in a circular opening formed in the mass plywood panel, the substantially circular frame adapted to snugly fit therein; wherein the threaded bolt configured to be inserted in a vertical bore formed in the mass plywood panel, the vertical bore communicating with the circular opening; wherein the at least one fuse plate comprising a first opening disposed substantially in the middle of the at least one fuse plate; wherein the base comprising a second opening, such that the first opening, the second opening and the vertical bore are aligned, the first opening and the second opening receiving the proximal end; wherein a pair of nuts threaded on the threaded bolt and disposed on either side of the at least one fuse plate abutting the at least one fuse plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to earthquake anchors, specifically the earthquake or wind anchors for Mass Plywood Panels (MPPs) or other solid panels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION MPPs are engineered wood panels composed of multiple layers of wood veneers, bonded together with adhesives in cross-laminated configuration. The use of MPPs offers a number of benefits in construction. MPPs exhibit superior strength and stiffness properties compared to traditional timber products, making them suitable for use in load-bearing structures such as walls, floors, and roofs. MPPs' cross-laminated construction provides dimensional stability, reducing the risk of warping, shrinking, or swelling, thus ensuring long-term structural stability. Further, MPPs facilitate rapid and cost-effective construction process due to their large panel sizes and prefabricated nature. The ability to manufacture MPPs in customizable dimensions allows for precise fitting and assembly on-site, minimizing material wastage and labor expenses. The lightweight nature of MPPs simplifies transportation and handling, leading to accelerated project timelines and reduced construction downtime. Be that as it may, the buildings constructed with MPPs are vulnerable to earthquake or wind forces as structures built with any other construction materials. What is needed is an earthquake anchor specifically suited for MPPs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention satisfies this need. The earthquake anchor according to this invention comprises a fuse plate clamped between two C-shaped members embedded into the MPP. The purpose of the fuse plate is to provide the lateral load resisting system a ductile response and load path that will improve performance of the lateral load resisting system. The fuse plate is anchored through the floor to the wall below or to the foundation. Earthquake forces deform the fuse plate, leaving the MPP intact. The fuse plate is then replaced with a new fuse plate. After the fuse plate deforms, the C-shaped members are still capable of transferring tension forces, thus providing secondary defense against failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of an earthquake anchor according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an earthquake anchor according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the first embodiment of this invention installed in an MPP. FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the first embodiment of this invention installed in the MPP, with an earthquake force acting on the MPP. FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the first embodiment of this invention installed in the MPP, with a fuse plate deformed by the earthquake force. FIG. 6 shows an exploded isometric view of an earthquake anchor according to the second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of an earthquake anchor according to the second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the second embodiment of this invention installed in an MPP. FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the second embodiment of this invention installed in the MPP, with an earthquake force acting on the MPP. FIG. 10 shows an elevation view of an earthquake anchor according to the second embodiment of this invention installed in the MPP, with a fuse plate deformed by the earthquake force. FIG. 11 shows an exploded isometric view of fuse plates according to an alternative embodiment of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention will be better understood with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 10. The same numerals indicate the same elements in all drawing figures. Viewing, simultaneously, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, numeral 10 indicates a top C-shaped member. Top C-shaped member 10 comprises downward arms indicated by numeral 10a. Downward arms 10a terminate in downward facing flanges indicated by numeral 10b. Numeral 20 indicates a bottom C-shaped member. Bottom C-shaped member 20 comprises a base indicated by numeral 20a and upward arms indicated by numeral 20b. Upward arms 20b terminate in upward facing flanges indicated by numeral 20c. Numeral 30 indicates a fuse plate. Fuse plate 30 is clamped between downward facing flanges 10b and upward facing flanges 20c. Fuse plate 30 is disposed substantially parallel to the floor, such that top C-shaped member 10, bottom C-shaped member 20 and fuse plate 30 form a substantially rectangular frame in this embodiment of the invention. The preferred embodiment shows one fuse plate 30, however, several fuse plates 30 can be stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG. 11. Numeral 40 indicates a threaded bolt. Threaded bolt 40 comprises a proximate end indicated by numeral 40a and a dis