U.S. patent application number 12/259423 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for rebar, beam and mesh highchair.
Invention is credited to James N. Turek.
Application Number | 20090044481 12/259423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40361867 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090044481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turek; James N. |
February 19, 2009 |
REBAR, BEAM AND MESH HIGHCHAIR
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting a reinforcing element during the
pouring of concrete includes a body having both a reinforcing bar
bearing indentation and a concrete mesh bearing notch.
Inventors: |
Turek; James N.; (Lexington,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
40361867 |
Appl. No.: |
12/259423 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11333424 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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12259423 |
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60644694 |
Jan 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/687 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 5/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/687 |
International
Class: |
E04C 5/16 20060101
E04C005/16 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for supporting a reinforcing element in freshly
poured concrete, comprising: a body including a reinforcing bar
bearing indentation and a concrete mesh bearing notch.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concrete mesh bearing
notch includes three concrete mesh engaging edges.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concrete mesh bearing
notch has a width of between about 2/8 to about 5/16 inch and a
depth of between about 2/8 to about 5/16 inch.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said concrete mesh bearing
notch has a narrow neck.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing bar bearing
indentation has a radius of curvature of between about 150 and
about 195 inches.
6. An apparatus for supporting a reinforcing element in freshly
poured concrete, comprising: a body including eight side walls
forming four sets of opposing sidewalls connected together by an
annular base.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, including reinforcing bar bearing
indentations and concrete mesh bearing notches in alternating sets
of said four sets of opposing sidewalls.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body includes multiple
reinforcing bar bearing indentations and multiple concrete mesh
bearing notches.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said body includes a first
sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth
sidewall.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first sidewall and said
second sidewall are opposed and both said first sidewall and said
second sidewall include one reinforcing bar bearing
indentation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said third sidewall and said
fourth sidewall are opposed and both said third sidewall and said
fourth sidewall include one concrete mesh bearing notch.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said body further includes a
fifth sidewall, a sixth sidewall, a seventh sidewall and an eighth
sidewall.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fifth sidewall and said
sixth sidewall are opposed and both said fifth sidewall and said
sixth sidewall include one reinforcing bar bearing indentation.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said seventh sidewall and
said eighth sidewall are opposed and both said seventh sidewall and
said eighth sidewall include one concrete mesh bearing notch.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said reinforcing bar bearing
indentations in said first sidewall and said second sidewall are
aligned along a first line and said reinforcing bar bearing
indentations in said fifth sidewall and said sixth sidewall are
aligned along a second line wherein said first line and said second
line are substantially perpendicular to one another.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said concrete mesh bearing
notches in said third sidewall and said fourth sidewall are aligned
along a third line and said concrete mesh bearing notches in said
seventh sidewall and said eighth sidewall are aligned along a
fourth line wherein said third line and said fourth line are
substantially perpendicular to one another.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each said reinforcing bar
bearing indentation has a radius of curvature of between about 150
and about 195 inches.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each said concrete mesh
bearing notch has a width of between about 2/8 and about 5/16 inch
and a depth of between about 2/8 and about 5/16 inch.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each said concrete mesh
bearing notch includes an edge for positively engaging and holding
concrete mesh.
20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said body further includes
an annular base engaging said first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh and eighth sidewalls.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/333,424 filed on 17 Jan. 2006 which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/644,694 filed on Jan. 18, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices utilized
in the construction field and more particularly to an apparatus or
highchair for supporting a reinforcing element in freshly poured
concrete.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Reinforced concrete construction is well known in the art.
Applications include but are not limited to sidewalks, floors,
roadways, walls of buildings and the like. One method of concrete
reinforcement involves the utilization of metal bars or rods known
as rebar. Another involves the use of concrete mesh typically made
from metal wire.
[0004] Specifically, the reinforcing element is positioned in the
concrete in one or more layers between the upper and lower
surfaces. In order to achieve this end an apparatus or device,
commonly known as a spacer, bolster or chair is utilized to hold
the reinforcement element in the desired position between the upper
and lower surfaces of the concrete to be poured. More specifically,
the workers prepare the lower surface of the form structure. The
spacers, chairs or bolsters are then positioned on the prepared
surface for supporting the reinforcement element in a plane
generally parallel to the prepared surface but vertically spaced
from that surface. The reinforcement element is then positioned on
the spacer, bolster or chair. The concrete is then poured into the
form so as to fully surround the reinforcement element.
[0005] The present invention relates to a new and improved
apparatus for supporting a reinforcement element in freshly poured
concrete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an apparatus is provided for supporting a
reinforcing element in freshly poured concrete. That apparatus
comprises a body including a reinforcing bar bearing indentation
and a concrete mesh bearing notch. The concrete mesh bearing notch
includes three concrete mesh engaging edges. The concrete mesh
bearing notch has a width of between about 2/8 to about 5/16 inch
and a depth of between about 2/8 to about 5/16 inch. Further the
concrete mesh bearing notch has a narrow neck.
[0007] The reinforcing bar bearing indentation has a radius of
curvature of between about 150 and about 195 inches. In addition
the body includes eight sides. The body also includes an annular
base connecting the eight sides. Further, in accordance with one
possible embodiment of the present invention the body includes
multiple reinforcing bar bearing indentations and multiple concrete
mesh bearing notches.
[0008] In the alternative the body may be described as including a
first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth
sidewall. The first sidewall and second sidewall are opposed and
both the first and second sidewalls include one reinforcing bar
bearing indentation. The third sidewall and fourth sidewall are
opposed and both the third and fourth sidewalls include one
concrete mesh bearing notch. Still further the body may be
described as including a fifth sidewall, a sixth sidewall, a
seventh sidewall and an eighth sidewall. The fifth and sixth
sidewalls are opposed and each includes one reinforcing bar bearing
indentation. The seventh and eighth sidewalls are also opposed and
each includes one concrete mesh bearing notch.
[0009] Still further describing the invention the reinforcing bar
bearing indentations in the first and second sidewalls are aligned
along a first line and the reinforcing bar bearing indentations in
the fifth and sixth sidewalls are also aligned along a second line.
The first and second lines are substantially perpendicular to one
another.
[0010] Still further the concrete mesh bearing notches in the third
and fourth sidewalls are aligned along a third line and the
concrete mesh notches in the seventh and eighth sidewalls are
aligned along a fourth line. The third and fourth lines are
substantially perpendicular to one another. Each reinforcing bar
bearing indentation has a radius of curvature of between about 150
and about 195 inches. Each concrete mesh bearing notch has a width
of between about 2/8 and about 5/16 inch and a depth of between
about 2/8 and about 5/16 inch. Further each concrete mesh bearing
notch includes an edge for positively engaging and holding the
concrete mesh. Further the body includes an annular base engaging
the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
sidewalls.
[0011] In the following description there is shown and described a
preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the
invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part
of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serves to explain
certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating how multiple high
chairs of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 are utilized to support
rebar in a concrete form;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating how the apparatus
of FIG. 1 may be used to support concrete mesh in a form; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevational view illustrating how
the highchairs may be "stacked" to support rebar and mesh in a
concrete form.
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating the apparatus
or highchair 10 of the present invention. The apparatus includes a
body 12 constructed of a non-biodegradable material. The
non-biodegradable material is impervious to water and is preferably
both shatter resistant and sag resistant within a temperature range
between 220.degree. and -40.degree. F. Examples of such material
include ABS plastic, polycarbonates, polybutyleneterephthalates,
polyphenylene oxides and any mixtures thereof. Advantageously,
utilization of any of these resins allows the simple and relatively
inexpensive injection molding of the apparatus 10 of the present
invention in one strong, lightweight piece.
[0019] The body 10 includes at least one reinforcing bar bearing
indentation 14 and at least one concrete mesh bearing notch 16.
Each reinforcing bar bearing indentation 14 is specifically sized
and shaped to receive a reinforcing bar such as steel rebar which
may be utilized in various diameters typically of one-half inch or
more to reinforce concrete. In the illustrated embodiment the
reinforcing bar bearing indentation 14 has a radius of curvature of
between about 150 and about 195 inches. Thus, the indentation 14 is
deepest in the middle so that the rebar, which is round in cross
section, tends to rest in the middle of each indentation over the
center of the apparatus 10. In this way the rebar is held in
position on the apparatus 10 with the weight over the center of the
apparatus so as to avoid tipping of the apparatus.
[0020] Each concrete mesh bearing notch 16 is sized and shaped to
positively engage and hold a concrete mesh reinforcing element.
More specifically, each notch 16 has a width and depth of between
about 2/8 inch and about 5/16 inch. As illustrated, the notch 16
may be provided with a relatively wide width at the bottom and a
partially closed, narrower width or neck 17 at the top. As a
consequence, the notch 16 has a tendency to positively engage and
hold concrete mesh in a manner described in greater detail
below.
[0021] More specifically describing the invention, the body 12 may
include eight walls. The first wall 18 is opposed by the second
wall 20. The third wall 22 is opposed by the fourth wall 24. The
fifth wall 26 is opposed by the sixth wall 28. Finally, the seventh
wall 30 is opposed by the eighth wall 32. Each of the opposing
first and second walls 18, 20 includes a reinforcing bar bearing
indentation 14. Similarly, each of the opposing fifth and sixth
walls 26, 28 includes a reinforcing bar bearing indentation 14. The
indentations 14 in the first and second walls 18, 20 are aligned on
a first plane while the indentations in the fifth and sixth walls
26, 28 are aligned on a second plane. The first and second planes
are substantially perpendicular to one another.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the indentations 14 in the
first and second walls 18, 20 are deeper and have a smaller radius
of curvature than the indentations 14 in the fifth and sixth walls
26, 28. In either case, however, it should be appreciated that
indentations 14 are provided in the opposing walls in order to
allow the apparatus 10 to support a long piece of rebar extending
past each opposing wall.
[0023] As should also be appreciated, each opposing third and
fourth wall 22, 24 includes a concrete mesh bearing notch 16.
Similarly, each opposing seventh and eighth wall 30, 32 also
include a concrete mesh bearing notch 16. The notches 16 in the
third and fourth walls 22, 24 are aligned on a third plane while
the notches 16 in the seventh and eighth walls 30, 32 are aligned
on a fourth plane. The third and fourth planes are substantially
perpendicular to one another.
[0024] As further illustrated, an annular base 36 interconnects all
of the walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 in order to provide
additional rigidity and strength to the apparatus 10 and to provide
a more stable base to hold the apparatus 10 in an upright position
in the concrete form.
[0025] As further illustrated, each of the primary or wider walls
18, 20, 26 and 28 that include the indentations 14 also include
cutout openings 34. These openings serve multiple functions. First,
they reduce the cost of manufacture by reducing the material needed
to produce each apparatus 10. Additionally, they allow apparatus or
chairs 10 of different sizes to be stacked in a form to hold
reinforcing elements at different heights during a concrete pour in
a manner that will be described in greater detail below.
[0026] Still further it should also be appreciated that the body 12
tapers outwardly from the top to the bottom. This allows a number
of the highchairs 10 to be nested together for high density
shipping in a smaller container.
[0027] Use of the apparatus 10 of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
the apparatus 10 is placed at the bottom B or on the floor of the
form F. Advantageously, the base 36 provides a wide stance relative
to the tapered top of the apparatus 10 so as to resist tipping. A
length of steel reinforcing bar R is supported on the apparatus 10
with the bar resting in the bottom of the indentations 14 in the
opposing first and second walls 18, 20. As should be appreciated,
any number of highchairs 10 may be spaced at desired intervals to
support a length of reinforcing bar R in the form F prior to the
pouring of concrete.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 is equally
adapted for supporting concrete mesh M. More specifically, the
apparatus 10 is positioned with the annular base 36 engaging the
bottom B of the form F. The concrete mesh M is then placed on the
apparatus 10 so that the individual wire strands S are received in
at least one and more typically each of the four notches 16. As
should be appreciated, the notches 16 are each sized so that the
edges of the notches 16 positively engage and hold one of the
strands S at three points along the bottom and sides of the notch.
Further, note how the narrow neck 17 of each notch 16 closes over
the strand S to positively engage and hold the strand in position.
Once again, one uses as many of the highchairs 10 as necessary to
support the concrete mesh M at spaced locations so that the mesh is
held at the desired height in the form F prior to the pouring of
concrete.
[0029] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 illustrating how highchairs
10 of the present invention may be made of varying heights and
utilized together to hold reinforcing elements in different planes
at different vertical heights in a form F. As illustrated, a first
relatively short apparatus or highchair 10 is positioned on the
bottom B of the form F. A second, taller apparatus or highchair 10'
is also positioned with a base 36' engaging the bottom B of the
form F. If desired, the second highchair 10' may be positioned
nesting over the shorter highchair 10 as illustrated.
Alternatively, they may be provided at completely different
positions in the form F.
[0030] In the illustration, reinforcing bar R is supported on the
shorter apparatus or highchair 10 while concrete mesh M is
supported at a higher vertical height in a separate plane by the
taller apparatus or highchair 10'. Of course, it should be
appreciated that the highchairs 10, 10' could both be used to
support concrete mesh M or reinforcing bar R if desired.
Alternatively, additional layers of reinforcing elements could be
provided in still more planes vertically spaced from one another by
utilizing apparatus or highchairs of the present invention of
additional, other heights.
[0031] The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the
invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and
equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not
and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims
and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
* * * * *