Description

FASTENING STRUCTURE OF NATIVE ROCK AND

THE METHOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to structures and methods for fastening rocks and, more particularly, to a structure and method for fastening rocks such that the rocks can be reliably supported by each other. Background Art

[2] Generally, naturally-occurring rocks are used to form various kinds of formative structures, such as stone towers, stone lanterns, tombstones, stone statues, etc.

[3] Such a formative structure made of naturally-occurring rock may be formed by cutting the rock into a desired size and shaping the cut rock into a desired shape. Alternatively, for example, in the case of a large formative structure, such as a stone tower, it may be manufactured by coupling several rocks to each other such that the rocks are supported by each other.

[4] Here, in the conventional art, a large formative structure is manufactured in such a way that either rocks are merely placed on top of one another or insert holes are formed in the rocks, and the insert holes of adjacent rocks are filled with mortar or the like after a connection pin is inserted into the insert holes of the rocks.

[5] However, in the structure in which the rocks are merely placed on top of one another or supported by each other using basic connection pins, the coupling between the rocks may be unstable. Therefore, the rocks constituting the formative structure may become separated from the formative structure as a result of external impact or the like and thus fall down. In this case, a person who is around the formative structure may be injured by the falling rocks. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure and method for fastening rocks to manufacture a formative structure such that the coupling between rocks is reliable. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above object, in an aspect, the present invention provides

a structure for fastening first and second rocks to each other using a fastening unit, the first and second rocks respectively having first and second fastening holes, the fastening unit including: a first sleeve inserted into the first fastening hole of the first rock, the first sleeve having a through hole along a center axis thereof with a first slit formed in a first end of the first sleeve; a first bolt inserted into the through hole of the first sleeve, the first bolt having a first extension part on a first end thereof so that when the first bolt is moved in a direction in which the first bolt is tightened into the first sleeve, the first extension part increases a width of the first slit of the first sleeve; a second sleeve having a through hole along a center axis thereof with a second slit formed in a second end of the second sleeve; a second bolt inserted into the through hole of the second sleeve, the second bolt having a second extension part on a second end thereof so that when the second bolt is moved in a direction in which the second bolt is tightened into the second sleeve, the second extension part increases a width of the second slit of the second sleeve; and a nut tightened at a first end thereof over the second end of the first bolt, the nut being tightened at a second end thereof over the first end of the second bolt.

[8] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for fastening rock, including: forming first and second fastening holes in predetermined portions of first and second rocks, respectively, by drilling; inserting a first bolt, having a first extension part on a first end thereof into a through hole formed in a first sleeve along a center axis thereof the first sleeve having a first slit in a first end thereof and inserting the first bolt and the first sleeve into the first fastening hole; fitting a first washer over a second end of the first bolt and tightening the second end of the first bolt into a first end of a nut, thus increasing a width of the first slit of the first sleeve so that the first sleeve is tightened to the first fastening hole; inserting a second bolt, having a second extension part on a second end thereof, into a through hole formed in a second sleeve along a center axis thereof, the second sleeve having a second slit in a second end thereof, and inserting the second bolt and the second sleeve into the second fastening hole; and fitting a second washer over a first end of the second bolt and tightening the first end of the second bolt into a second end of the nut, thus increasing a width of the second slit of the second sleeve so that the second sleeve is tightened to the second fastening hole.

[9] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. The terms and words used in the specification and claims are not necessarily limited to

typical or dictionary meanings, but must be understood to indicate concepts selected by the inventor as the best method of illustrating the present invention, and must be interpreted as having meanings and concepts adapted to the scope and sprit of the present invention for understanding the technology of the present invention.

Advantageous Effects

[10] In a structure and method for fastening rock according to the present invention, the fastening of the rocks can be reliably maintained when manufacturing a formative structure using naturally-occurring rocks. Hence, the present invention can prevent rocks from becoming separated from the formative structure as a result of external impact, thus eliminating a risk of falling rocks injuring a person.

Brief Description of Drawings [11] FIG. 1 is a view showing a formative structure formed by a structure for fastening rock according to an embodiment of the present invention; [12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fastening unit according to the present invention; [13] FIG. 3 is a view showing the fastening between rocks according to the present invention; [14] FIG. 4 is of views illustrating a structure for fastening rock according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [15] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a structure for fastening rock according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[15] ***Description of the elements in the drawings***

[17] 10,10': rock 11: first rock

[18] 1 Ia: first fastening hole 12: second rock

[19] 12a: second fastening hole 100: fastening unit

[20] 110: first sleeve 120: first bolt

[21] 130: second sleeve 140: second bolt

[22] 150: nut 160,162: washer

[23] 200: bracket 300,300': anchor bolt

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention [24] Hereinafter, a structure and method for fastening rock according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. [25] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar

components. Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, detailed explanation of well-known functions and constructions will be omitted, so that the present invention can be described more clearly.

[26] FIG. 1 is a view showing a formative structure formed by a structure for fastening rock according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fastening unit according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing the fastening between rocks according to the present invention.

[27] FIG. 4 is of views illustrating a structure for fastening rock according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a structure for fastening rock according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[28] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a fastening unit 100 is used to fasten a first rock 11 and a second rock 12 which are naturally-occurring rocks 10.

[29] Here, the first and second rocks 11 and 12 are selected from naturally-occurring rocks which are cut in predetermined sizes, naturally-occurring rocks which have been processed after being cut, and naturally-occurring rocks which are in their natural states.

[30] Furthermore, the first and second rocks 11 and 12 may be of various materials, for example, granite, marble, basalt, etc.

[31] To fasten the first rock 11 to the second rack 12, first and second fastening holes 11a and 12a are respectively formed in the first and second rocks 11 and 12.

[32] Furthermore, a first end of the fastening unit 100 is inserted into the first fastening hole 1 Ia of the first rock 11, and a second end thereof is inserted into the second fastening hole 12a of the second rock 12 which is to be integrated with the first rock 11.

[33] The fastening unit 100 includes a first sleeve 110 which has a through hole along a center axis thereof and first slits 112 in a first end thereof and a first bolt 120 which is inserted into the through hole of the first sleeve 110 and has a first tapered extension part 122 on a first end thereof. An external thread 124 is formed on the circumferential outer surface of a second end of the first bolt 120. The fastening unit 100 further includes a second sleeve 130 which has a through hole along a center axis thereof and second slits 132 in a second end thereof, and a second bolt 140 which is inserted into the through hole of the second sleeve 130 and has a second tapered extension part 142 on a second end thereof. An external thread 144 is formed on the circumferential outer surface of a first end of the second bolt 140. The fastening unit 100 further includes a nut 150 which is tightened at a first end thereof over the second end of the first bolt

120 and is tightened at a second end thereof over the first end of the second bolt 140.

[34] Here, to firmly fasten the fastening unit 100 to the first and second fastening holes

11a and 12a, the nut 150 preferably has a length sufficient to prevent the second end of the first bolt 120 from coming into contact with the first end of the second bolt 140 when the first and second bolts 120 and 140 engage with an internal thread 152 of the nut 150.

[35] To fasten the fist rock 11 to the second rock 12 using the above-mentioned structure of the present invention, the first and second fastening holes 11a and 12a are respectively formed at predetermined positions in the first and second rocks 11 and 12 by drilling. Thereafter, the first and second sleeves 110 and 130, into which the first and second bolts 120 and 140 have been inserted, are respectively inserted into the first and second fastening holes 11a and 12a. Subsequently, first and second washers 160 and 162 are respectively fitted over the first and second bolts 120 and 140. The nut 150 is thereafter tightened over the first and second bolts 120 and 140.

[36] Here, a square or hexagonal nut is used as the nut 150 to facilitate the tightening of the nut over the first and second bolts 120 and 140.

[37] As such, the first and second bolts 120 and 140 engage with and are tightened into the nut 150 by rotating the nut 150 in one direction or rotating, around the nut 150, the first and second rocks 11 and 12 that are fitted over the first and second sleeves 110 and 130.

[38] The operation of fastening the rocks will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 below.

[39] First, the first and second fastening holes 11a and 12a are respectively formed at predetermined positions in the first and second rocks 11 and 12, for example, by drilling.

[40] Thereafter, the second end of the first bolt 120 is inserted into the first end of the through hole of the first sleeve 110 and is exposed outside from the second end of the first sleeve 110. Subsequently, the first bolt 120 is inserted into the first fastening hole 1 Ia of the first rock 11 such that the first extension part 122 of the first bolt 120 faces the first fastening hole 11a.

[41] In this state, the first washer 160 is fitted over the second end of the first bolt 120, and the nut 150 is tightened over the first bolt 120. Then, the first bolt 120 is further moved in the direction in which the first bolt 120 is tightened into the first sleeve 110. Thereby, the first extension part 122 of the first bolt 120 increases the widths of the first slits 112 of the first sleeve 110. As a result, the first sleeve 110 is reliably tightened to the first fastening hole 1 Ia of the first rock 11, thus being prevented from

becoming dislocated from the first rock 11.

[42] Thereafter, the first end of the second bolt 140 is inserted into the second end of the through hole of the second sleeve 130 such that the first end of the second bolt 140 is exposed outside from the second sleeve 130. Subsequently, the second bolt 140 is inserted into the second fastening hole 12a of the second rock 12.

[43] The second washer 162 is thereafter fitted over the first end of the second bolt 140, and the nut 150 is tightened over the first end of the second bolt 140. Then, the second bolt 140 is further moved in the direction in which the second bolt 140 is tightened into the second sleeve 130. Thereby, the second extension part 142 of the second bolt 140 increases the widths of the second slits 132 of the second sleeve 130. As a result, the second sleeve 130 is reliably tightened to the second fastening hole 12a of the second rock 12, thus being prevented from being removed from the second rock 12.

[44] Here, it may be difficult to tighten the nut over the second bolt 140. When this happens, rotating the first rock 11 that is tightened over the first bolt 120 around the second bolt 140 can solve the difficulty.

[45] Meanwhile, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing another embodiment and a modification of the present invention. In these cases, a bracket 200 is used to sequentially connect several rocks 10' to a portion of the first or second rock 11 or 12.

[46] Depending on the number of rocks 10 to be fastened, the bracket 200 can have a variety of shapes, for example, a '+' or a 'D' shape. The bracket 200 has a coupling hole 210 at each corner thereof. A support hole 212 is formed through the central portion of the bracket 200, so that the bracket 200 can be fastened to, for example, an inner or outer sidewall or a roof of a large formative structure or a building, through the support hole 212.

[47] Furthermore, separate connection holes 10a are formed in the rocks 10 including the first or second rock 11 or 12. The rocks 10 are fastened to the bracket 200 using fastening units.

[48] Of course, in this case, each fastening unit 100 uses only one of the first and second bolts 120 and 140 but not both the first and second bolts 120 and 140 which are oriented in opposite directions.

[49] In other words, the rocks 10 are fastened to the bracket 200 using a well-known anchor bolt 300 for one-way fastening but not using the two-way fastening unit 100.

[50] The anchor bolt 300 includes a third sleeve 310 which has a through hole along a center axis thereof and third slits 312 in a first end thereof and a third bolt 320 which is inserted into the through hole of the third sleeve 210 and which has a third tapered

extension part 322 on a first end thereof. An external thread is formed on the circumferential outer surface of a second end of the third bolt 320. The anchor bolt 300 further includes a nut 330 which is tightened over the second end of the third bolt 320.

[51] As such, in the case where the anchor bolt 300 is used, a washer 340 is of course used.

[52] Furthermore, the rocks 10 may be used for interior or exterior decoration in such a way that an anchor bolt 300' having the same structure as the anchor bolt 300 is inserted into the support hole 212 and is fastened, for example, to a sidewall 1 of the building after the several rocks 10 are fastened to the respective coupling holes 210.

[53] As described above, in the present invention, interior or exterior finishing of the building can be performed merely using the bracket 200 to which the several rocks 10 are fastened, and does not require fastening each rock to the sidewall 1 or roof of the building, thus enhancing the constructability.

[54] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and all changes that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or the equivalence of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.