System for affixing rebar lattice to receive concrete

• US 5,893,252 A
• Filed: 05/16/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edgeworth Construction Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hardy Construction Technology LLC
• Inventors: Waters, Louis A. Jr., Hardy, Robert M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/857,727
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 52/677, 52/679, 52/684, 52/685, 52/686, 52/687, 52/688, 52/689, 52/719
• US Class Current: 52/685
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/168 Spacers connecting parts for reinforcements and spacing the reinforcements from the form
• 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

An apparatus for fixating and elevating an interconnected rebar lattice having individual longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections for use as support for poured concrete in highway and other construction. The apparatus including a holding portion having an open ended recess with two opposing walls being generally U-shaped. The recess has a longitudinal axis and is sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal rod. An arc-shaped portion extends laterally outward from each opposing wall and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess. The arc-shaped portion has a transverse axis and is sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal rod. The arc-shaped portion includes a recess and opposing walls with each wall including a snap-type lock. A locking member has a generally arc-shaped portion and includes a snap-type lock for attaching to the arc-shaped portions and engaging with the snap-type lock of the arc-shaped portions. A leg portion extends downwardly from the holding portion and is integrally attached to a base.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fixating and elevating mats of an interconnected rebar lattice having intersections of longitudinal and transverse rebar rods for support of poured concrete, comprising:

a) a base member comprising;

1) a holding portion having a plurality of base member locking mechanisms and having recesses to receive individual longitudinal and transverse rods of a rebar intersection of the rebar lattice; and

2)a leg portion extending from the holding portion for spacing of the holding portion above a surface to receive the concrete;

b) a locking cap for engaging the holding portion locking mechanisms to lock one of the rebar intersections into the holding portion; and

c) the locking mechanisms of the holding portion and the locking cap engaging each other about said one of the rebar intersections to interconnect the holding portion with the rebar lattice and maintain the apparatus in an upright position with respect to the rebar lattice.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a) the holding portion having an open ended recess with two opposing walls and being generally U-shaped, the recess having a longitudinal axis and being sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal rod;

b) an arc-shaped portion extending outward from each opposing wall and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess, the arc-shaped portion having a first side, a second side and a transverse axis, the arc-shaped portion being sized and shaped to receive a transverse rod;

c) the arc-shaped portion having a recess and opposing walls with one wall including one of the plurality of base member locking mechanisms, the locking mechanism being capable of inward deflection;

d) the locking cap including a cap locking mechanism for engaging the base member locking mechanism of the arc-shaped portions, the locking cap being formed of one piece and having a generally arc-shaped portion; and

e) the leg portion having a base portion connected to the leg portion distal to the holding portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding portion includes a notch having a semi-circular recess that ends in a lip portion, the notch being configured to allow for a locking engagement of a cylindrical bar that is snapped into the notch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leg portion is formed of two interconnected leg portions, the two leg portions having a generally X-shaped cross-section.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking cap has a top side, a bottom side, and is generally rectangular in shape, the arc-shaped portion being placed on the bottom side, along the length of the locking cap, the top side includes a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a base portion is integrally attached to the leg portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base portion is generally circular in shape and dimensioned to provide a stable support for the apparatus when placed on unstable or soft roadbeds or other unstable foundations.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the leg portion extends into a plurality of tapering rib portions on the base, the rib portions providing stability and strength to the base.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base portion tapers to a knob having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the leg portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base portion has an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface including a spike portion extending downwardly from the base portion, the spike portion being sized and shaped to allow the apparatus to be securely positioned in lateral and sloping surfaces.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding portion and leg portion are integrally formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and polypropylene and polyethylene.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base locking cap further comprises:

a leg portion extending from and perpendicular to the base locking cap proving spacing between the holding portion of the base member and a holding portion of the base locking cap;

the holding portion of the base locking cap being attached to the leg portion distal to the base locking cap and having recesses to receive a rebar intersection of a second rebar lattice; and

a one piece top locking cap having a plurality of locking mechanisms for engaging the locking mechanism of the holding portion of the base locking cap for locking the rebar intersection of the second rebar lattice.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the holding portion of the base locking cap further includes:

an open ended recess with two opposing walls and being generally U-shaped, the recess having a longitudinal axis and sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal rod;

an arc-shaped portion extending outward from each opposing wall and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess, the arc-shaped portion having a transverse axis and sized and shaped to receive a transverse rod;

the arc-shaped portion having a recess and opposing walls with each wall including a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being capable of inward deflection.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the locking cap further includes locking mechanisms for engaging the locking mechanisms of the arc-shaped portions, the locking cap having a generally arc-shaped portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus secures the longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections of the rebar lattice, the holding portion of the apparatus allowing the longitudinal rods to deflect upwardly when subject to rotational torque, thereby preventing the inward deflecting of the locking mechanism on the arc-shaped portion, thereby maintaining the apparatus in the upright position.

16. An apparatus for fixating and elevating mats of an assembled rebar lattice having intersections of longitudinal and transverse rebar rods for support of poured concrete, comprising:

a) a holding portion having an open ended recess with two opposing walls and being generally U-shaped, the recess having a longitudinal axis and being sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal rod;

b) an arc-shaped portion extending outward from each opposing wall and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess, the arc-shaped portion having a first side, a second side and a transverse axis, the arc-shaped portion being sized and shaped to receive a transverse rod;

c) the arc-shaped portion having a recess and opposing walls with one wall including a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being capable of inward deflection;

d) a one piece locking cap including a plurality of locking mechanisms for engaging the locking mechanisms of the arc-shaped portions, the locking cap having a generally arc-shaped portion;

e) a leg portion extending from the holding portion with a base portion connected to the leg portion;

f) the holding portion of the apparatus allowing the longitudinal rods to deflect upwardly when subject to rotational torque, thereby preventing the inward deflecting of the locking means on the arc-shaped portion;

g) whereby the locking mechanisms of the holding portion and the locking cap engaging each other about the rebar intersection in the assembled rebar lattice to interconnect the holding portion with the rebar lattice and maintain the apparatus in an upright position.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the holding portion includes a notch having a semi-circular recess that ends in a lip portion, the notch receiving a cylindrical bar that is snapped into the notch.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the leg portion is formed of two interconnected leg portions, the two leg portions having a generally X-shaped cross-section.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the locking cap has a top side, a bottom side, and is generally rectangular in shape, the arc-shaped portion being placed on the bottom side, along the length of the locking cap, the top side includes a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base portion is generally circular in shape and dimensioned to provide a stable support for the apparatus when placed on unstable or soft roadbeds or other unstable foundations.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the leg portion extends into a plurality of tapering rib portions on the base, the rib portions providing stability and strength to the base.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base portion tapers to a knob having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the leg portion.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base portion has an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface including a spike portion extending downwardly from the base portion, the spike portion being sized and shaped to allow the apparatus to be securely positioned in lateral and sloping surfaces.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the holding portion, leg portion and base portion are integrally formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and polypropylene and polyethylene.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base locking cap further comprises:

a leg portion extending from and perpendicular to the base locking cap providing spacing between the holding portion of the base member and a holding portion of the base locking cap;

the holding portion of the base locking cap being attached to the leg portion distal to the base locking cap and having recesses to receive the individual longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections of a second set of rebar lattice; and

a one piece top locking cap having a plurality of locking mechanisms for engaging the holding portion locking mechanisms of the base locking cap for locking the individual longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections of the second set of rebar lattice.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the base locking cap holding portion further includes an open ended recess with two opposing walls being generally U-shaped, the recess having a longitudinal axis and being sized and shaped to receive a longitudinal transverse rod;

an arc-shaped portion extending outward from each opposing wall and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess, the arc-shaped portion having a transverse axis and being sized and shaped to receive a transverse rod;

the arc-shaped portion having a recess and opposing walls with each wall including a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being capable of inward deflection of the locking mechanism.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the top locking cap further includes locking mechanism for engaging the locking mechanism of the arc-shaped portions, the locking cap having a generally arc-shaped portion.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus secures the longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections of the rebar lattice, the holding portion of the apparatus allowing the longitudinal rods to deflect upwardly when subject to rotational torque, thereby preventing the inward deflecting of the locking mechanisms on the arc-shaped portion, thereby maintaining the apparatus in the upright position.

29. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mats of assembled rebar lattice comprise:

vertically spaced mats of rebar lattices.

30. A system for fixating and elevating mats of assembled rebar lattice having intersections of longitudinal and transverse rebar rods for support of poured concrete, said system comprising a chair at selected rebar intersections, each of said chairs comprising:

a) a base member comprising;

1) a plurality of holding portions each having a plurality of locking mechanisms and having recesses to receive individual longitudinal and transverse rods of each rebar intersection of a rebar mat;

2) a leg portion extending from each of the plurality of holding portions for spacing above a surface to receive the concrete;

b) a plurality of locking caps each having locking mechanisms for engaging the holding portion locking mechanisms to lock the individual longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections into the recesses of each holding portion;

c) the system securing a plurality of individual longitudinal and transverse rebar intersections; and

d) the locking mechanisms of the holding portions and the locking caps engage each other about the rebar intersections of the rebar lattice to interconnect the holding portions with the rebar lattice and maintain each of the chairs in an upright position with respect to the rebar lattice, with the system of chairs providing resistance against angular deflection of the rebar lattice structure when the rebar lattice structure is subject to the forces of a concrete pour.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the mats of assembled rebar lattice comprise:

vertically spaced mats of rebar lattices.