Concrete reinforcing bar support with bar retainer members

• US 20080028717A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Felix L. Sorkin
• Original Assignee: Felix L. Sorkin
• Inventors: Sorkin, Felix L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/685
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/20 of material other than metal or with only additional metal parts, e.g. concrete or plastics spacers with metal binding wires E04C5/168 takes precedence

Abstract

A concrete reinforcing bar support has a base, a support structure extending upwardly from the base so as to define a channel formed in an upper surface thereof, a first clamping structure affixed to the support structure on one side of the channel, a second clamping structure affixed to the support structure on the opposite side of the channel, and a rebar retainer positioned between the clamping structures for retaining the rebar in the channel. The rebar retainer includes first and second retainer members movable between a first position spaced away from each other and a second position overlying a portion of the rebar when the rebar is placed in the channel. Each of the retainer members has a generally S-shaped cross-section configuration.

Claims

1. A concrete reinforcing bar support comprising:

a base;

a support structure extending upwardly from said base, said support structure having a channel formed at an upper surface thereof, said channel extending in a direction and having a size suitable for receiving a rebar therein;

a first clamping structure affixed to said support structure on one side of said channel and having a surface suitable for receiving a second rebar therein extending in a direction transverse to said first rebar;

a second clamping structure affixed to said support structure on an opposite side of said channel, said second clamping structure having a surface suitable for receiving the second rebar therein; and

a rebar retaining means positioned between said first and second clamping structures for retaining the first rebar in said channel.

2. The bar support of claim 1, said rebar retaining means comprising:

a first retainer member positioned adjacent said first clamping structure; and

a second retainer member positioned adjacent said second clamping structure.

3. The bar support of claim 2, each of said first and second retainer members movable between a first position spaced away from each other and a second position overlying a portion of the first rebar when the rebar is placed in said channel.

4. The bar support of claim 3, each of said first and second retainer members comprising:

a generally S-shaped cross-section member with a curved section and a tail section, said support structure having a slot formed therein adjacent each of said first and second clamping structures, said tail section received within said slot when the retainer member is in said second position.

5. The bar support of claim 4, said S-shaped cross-section member being detachably secured to the clamping structure when in said first position so as to define a space between said first and second retainer members such that the first rebar can be introduced between said first and second retainer members.

6. The bar support of claim 5, each of said first and second retainer members further comprising:

a tang affixed to a back surface of the retainer member and to the clamping structure, said tail section being free of said slot in said first position.

7. The bar support of claim 5, said S-shaped cross-section member having a finger extending outwardly from a surface thereof into said space between said first and second retainer members, said finger contacting a surface of the rebar as the rebar is moved toward said channel.

8. The bar support of claim 1, each of said first and second clamping structures comprising:

a first curved element extending upwardly from said support structure; and

a second curved element extending upwardly from said support structure, said first curved element facing said second curved element so as to define a rebar-receiving space therebetween.

9. The bar support of claim 8, said first clamping element being offset from said second clamping element along a longitudinal direction of the second rebar.

10. The bar support of claim 1, said base, said support structure, said first and second clamping structures and said rebar retaining means being integrally formed together of a polymeric material.

11. A device for retaining a rebar in a channel of a bar support, the bar support having slots formed on opposite sides of the channel, the device comprising:

a first member having an upper curved surface and a tail section, said first member positioned on one side of the channel; and

a second member having an upper curved section and a tail section, said second member positioned on an opposite side of the channel, said upper curved section of said first member generally facing said upper curved section of said second member, each of said first and second members movable between a first position spaced from each other to a second position overlying a portion of the rebar when the rebar is placed in the channel.

12. The device of claim 11, each of said first and second members having a generally S-shaped cross-section configuration.

13. The device of claim 11, said tail sections received respectively in the slots when in said second position.

14. The device of claim 11, each of said first and second members being detachably secured on opposite sides of the channel when in said first position so as to define a space between said first and second members such that the rebar can be introduced between said first and second members.

15. The device of claim 14, each of said first and second members comprising:

a tang affixed to a back of said upper curved surface and to a surface of a bar support, said tail section being free of the slot when in the first position.

16. The device of claim 11, each of said first and second members having a finger extending outwardly from a surface thereof, said finger contacting a surface of the rebar as the rebar is moved toward the channel.

17. A method of affixing a rebar in a channel of a bar support comprising:

forming the bar support so as to have a first retainer member on one side of the channel and a second retainer member on an opposite side of the channel, each of the first and second retainer members having a curved section and a tail section, said bar support having a first slot on one side of the channel and a second slot on an opposite side of the channel;

moving the rebar toward the channel such that a surface of the rebar contacts a surface of the curved section of said first and second retainer members; and

urging the rebar further toward a surface of the channel such that said curved surface of said first and second retainer members overlies a portion of the rebar such that said tail sections are respectively received in said slots.

18. The method of claim 17, said step of forming comprising:

attaching said first retainer member in an upward position on one side of the channel; and

attaching said second retainer member in an upward position on one side of the channel such that the curved sections of said first and second retainer members are spaced from each other by a distance such that the rebar can be moved therebetween.

19. The method of claim 18, said step of urging comprising:

detaching said first retainer member from one side of said channel; and

detaching said second retainer member from opposite side of said channel.

20. The method of claim 17, said step of forming comprising:

forming a finger extending from curved section of said first retainer member in a direction towards a curved section of said second retainer member; and

forming a finger extending from said curved section of said second retainer member in a direction toward said curved section of said first retainer member, the rebar contacting said fingers during said step of moving so as to cause said tail sections to enter said slots.