U.S. patent application number 10/236037 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for rebar attachment device.
Invention is credited to Morse, Al.
Application Number | 20040040247 10/236037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31977601 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morse, Al |
March 4, 2004 |
Rebar attachment device
Abstract
A rebar support system for a vertical wall uses preformed
coupling devices to secure horizontal rebar structures to vertical
rebar structures in mutually perpendicular orientation. A preformed
coupling device may include three tube-shaped clamp members rigidly
secured together.
Inventors: |
Morse, Al; (White City,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
31977601 |
Appl. No.: |
10/236037 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/649.8 ;
404/134; 52/685 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 5/167 20130101;
E04C 5/168 20130101; E04C 5/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/649.8 ;
052/685; 404/134 |
International
Class: |
E04C 005/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A rebar support system for a vertical wall comprising a
plurality of first horizontal rebar structures oriented
horizontally relative to the ground and perpendicular relative to a
vertical wall to be constructed, at least one vertical rebar
structure connected perpendicularly to one of the first rebar
structures at an intersection positioned inside a space where the
wall is to be constructed, and a preformed coupling device
connecting the rebar structures at the intersection.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one second
horizontal rebar structure passing through the intersection and
oriented perpendicular to the vertical and first horizontal rebar
structures.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the preformed coupling device
includes at least two partial tube portions.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the preformed coupling device
includes three partial tube portions.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the two portions
has a longitudinal opening for receiving a side section of a rebar
structure.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the opening is defined between
beveled edges configured for directing a rebar structure into the
tube portion.
7. A rebar support system for a vertical wall comprising a
plurality of first horizontal rebar structures oriented
horizontally relative to the ground and perpendicular relative to a
vertical wall to be constructed, at least one vertical rebar
structure connected perpendicularly to one of the first rebar
structures at an intersection positioned inside a space where the
wall is to be constructed, and a coupling device connecting the
rebar structures at the intersection, the coupling device including
at least two partial tube portions oriented perpendicular to each
other, each two portion having an opening extending along its
entire length for receiving a piece of rebar.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the opening in the each two
portion is large enough to receive a piece of rebar, but small
enough so that the tube portion can retain securely a piece of
rebar while pouring a cement wall.
9. A coupling device for securing two or more pieces of rebar in a
mutually perpendicular orientation comprising three clamp members
rigidly connected together, each clamp member being tube shaped and
having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axes of the other
clamp members.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein each clamp member has an opening
large enough to allow receipt of a piece of rebar through the
aperture into the tube-shaped clamp, but small enough so that a
piece of rebar can be securely retained inside the clamp
member.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein each clamp member is situated in
a corner formed by the other clamp members, each clamp member
having an opening directly opposite from the corner formed by the
other clamp members.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein each clamp member has an opening
between beveled edges configured to facilitate rebar engagement.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to connective
systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a system that
supportively positions vertical reinforcement bars by connecting
them to horizontal reinforcement bars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Reinforcing bar (rebar) is typically placed in concrete
structures, such as concrete foundation blocks and solid concrete
stem walls, during construction to provide tensile strength and
rigidity. This is accomplished by suspending rebar in coplanar
grid-like patterns within forms before filling the forms with
cement. In order to maintain a stationary rebar configuration as
concrete is poured, it is common practice to manually bind
reinforcing bars together with wire ties where they intersect. This
means of connecting rebar, while functionally adequate, is costly
due to the time consuming nature of tying each intersection of
rebar by band.
[0003] A footing typically incorporates pairs of horizontal
reinforcing bars, lying parallel to the form walls, to which
additional cross-pieces of rebar are connected. It is common
practice for the bases of vertical reinforcing bars to be anchored
by lashing them with wire ties at the intersections of the parallel
reinforcing bars with their connecting crosspieces. The vertical
bars have a high center of gravity relative to the joinder point
with a horizontal bar. Thus, any joinder mechanism for this purpose
must be sturdy, tight and secure. It is critical that the proper
vertical orientation of the reinforcing bars be maintained as
cement is poured into the forms. Fastening overlapping rebar with
wire lashing in coplanar grids is undesirable because it is time
consuming, and labor and skill intensive.
[0004] In recent years, preformed rebar connectors have been used
to hold overlapping reinforcing bars in coplanar configurations.
For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,991 and No. 5,878,546.
However, these patents fail to provide satisfactory way of securing
vertical rebar supports for a vertical cement wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides a connective system, and related
methods for supportively positioning a rebar configuration for a
vertical cement wall. A vertical piece of rebar is connected to at
least one horizontal reinforcing bar via a preformed junction
device. The preformed junction device may include multiple
tube-like clamps rigidly connected to each other in a mutually
perpendicular orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rebar system for a
vertical wall.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preformed junction device,
including open-ended clamps for supporting rebar.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the junction device shown in FIG.
2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another rebar support system
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preformed junction device
used in the support system shown in FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rebar system anchored
in solid rock.
[0012] FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative uses of coupling devices in
which only two of three clamp members are used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention enables supportive placement of a
vertical reinforcing bar within a footing or other upright
construct. An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1.
Reinforcement bar configuration 20 used preformed junction devices
22 to secure pieces of rebar in the desired configuration. As shown
in FIG. 1, junction device 22 fixedly connects vertical reinforcing
bar 24 with two horizontal reinforcing bars, 26 and 28, in a
mutually perpendicular relationship, thereby providing stationary
support for vertical reinforcing bar 24 within a footing form 30
prior to its being filled with cement.
[0014] Junction device 22, is shown in FIG. 2, including three
elongate members 32, 34, and 36, each member having a C-shaped
cross-section and forming an open-ended, tube-like clamp.
Additional embodiments of the invention may also adopt
alternatively configured cross-sections to accommodate square- or
otherwise-shaped bars in place of traditional, substantially
circular, reinforcing bars. The longitudinal axes associated with
clamps 32, 34, and 36 are mutually perpendicular. The crossing
region of junction device 22 may be referred to as an
"intersection". A receiving aperture 38 extends along the full
length of each clamp 32, 34, and 36, running parallel to its
respective longitudinal axis, which is responsible for each clamp's
C-shaped cross-section.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the junction device shown in
FIG. 2. Each of the elongate members is situated against a corner
structure formed by the other two elongate members. For example, in
FIG. 3 clamp 34 is situated in corner 44 formed by clamps 32 and
36. Opening 38 of clamp 34 is situated so that a plane AA bisecting
clamp 34 through the middle of opening 38 goes through corner 44
formed by clamps 32 and 36. Each of the other clamps has a similar
orientation relative to the other clamps. This orients the clamp
openings so that they are most accessible for engaging pieces of
rebar.
[0016] The clamps may be joined with any suitable bonding material
such as glue, adhesive, putty, or mechanical attachment mechanisms
such as screws, tacks, rivets, etc.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the arc defined by each aperture 38 is
less than 180 degrees. The width of each aperture 38 is less than
the inner diameter of each clamp 32, 34, and 36. Receiving aperture
38 of clamp 34 has a beveled edge or lip configured for easy
"snap-on" engagement of a piece of rebar. Each edge 45 of aperture
38 has an inner corner 46 that is obtuse.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows another rebar support configuration 50. Rebar
intersection 52 is secured by junction device 54. Junction device
54 connects horizontal rebar piece 56 to vertical rebar piece 58
and a second horizontal rebar piece 60 so that the rebar pieces are
mutually perpendicular to each other. Rebar piece 60 has one end
fit into a socket portion of junction device 54. The opposite end
of rebar piece 60 extends over and rests on top of horizontal rebar
piece 62 near adjacent intersection 64. Rebar intersection 64 is
supported by junction device 66. Junction device 66 connects
horizontal rebar piece 62 with vertical rebar piece 68 and a second
horizontal rebar piece 70 which spans to the next rebar
intersection analogous to horizontal rebar piece 60. Rebar
intersection 74 is supported by junction device 76 which connects
horizontal rebar piece 72 with vertical rebar piece 78 and a second
horizontal rebar piece 80 that spans intersections 74 and 82.
Intersection 82 is analogously configured. The rebar support system
shown in FIG. 4 differs from the one shown in FIG. 1 in that
separate horizontal rebar sections span adjacent rebar
intersections. Whereas, in FIG. 1 a single horizontal rebar
structure spans all or at least more than two of the rebar
intersections.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a close up perspective view of junction device
54. Three elongate tube members 90, 92, and 94 are bonded rigidly
together in a mutually perpendicular orientation. Tube members 90
and 92 have a pass-through configuration for connecting to an
intermediate rebar section. In contrast, tube member 94 has a
socket configuration which is open at one end and closed at the
opposite end against the dorsal side of tube member 90. Each of
tube members 90, 92, and 94 have an opening 96 similar to the
openings previously described and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows rebar configuration 100 that is used to anchor
a concrete foundation to solid rock 102. Forms 104 are supported by
braces 106 for holding concrete when it is poured over rock 102.
Holes are drilled in rock 102. Vertical rebar pieces 112 are
mounted in the rock holes. Vertical rebar pieces 112 are connected
to horizontal rebar pieces 114 and 116 by coupling devices 118
which are the same or similar to coupler 22 in FIG. 2. Another
coupling device 124 is used to connect horizontal rebar pieces 114
and 126 with vertical rebar piece 128, in mutually perpendicular
orientations.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows coupling mechanism 130 in which coupling device
131 is used to connect horizontal rebar pieces 132 and 134, for
example, to support a concrete floor. In this application, clamps
136a and 136b are used while clamp 136c remains open and unused. In
FIG. 8, coupling system 140 is used, for example, to secure rebar
in a vertical wall. Coupling device 141 connects horizontal rebar
piece 142 to vertical rebar piece 144 in a perpendicular
orientation. Clamp members 146a and 146b are used while clamp
member 146c remains open and unused. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate that
coupling devices of the present invention, for example, such as the
coupling device 22 in FIG. 2, may be used in a variety of different
rebar configurations in which all or less than all of the clamp
members are used.
[0022] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the inner
diameter of each tube-like clamp is sized to tightly encompass a
rebar shaft. Junction devices may be formed so that each clamp
portion engages the same size of rebar, such as standard 12 mm
diameter rod. Alternatively, junction devices may incorporate
differently sized clamps in order to connect rebar of different
sizes. Each tube-like clamp is preferably about two inches in
length, although the clamp length of alternate embodiments may be
increased or decreased as needed to provide optimal clamping
performance as the diameter and length of rebar, as well as the
context of each individual application, varies.
[0023] Each of the tube-like clamps should be formed of a resilient
material. This characteristic allows the receiving edges of the
aperture to bend and flex around the shaft of the rebar as it is
pressed into the clamp and to also constrict around the shaft after
it is engaged. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a molded
plastic such as PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene or flexible metal
material may be used.
[0024] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments,
those skilled in the art will understand that many variations may
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims. The description of
the invention should be understood to include all novel and
non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims
may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and
non-obvious combination of these elements. Where the claims recite
"a" or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims
should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such
elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such
elements.
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