Rebar centralizer

• US 9,249,575 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2015
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pile Protection Tops Inc. (Marcone Appliance Parts Center, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pile Protection Tops Inc. (Marcone Appliance Parts Center, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hutchison, Randall Jesse, Henkle, David Ray, Longhurst, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Michener, Joshua J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walraed-Sullivan, Kyle
• Application Number:
  US14/679,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20150284958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 166/241.7, 166/241.6, 166/213, 166/241.1, 166/172, 166/241.2, 166/241.5, 526/77, 526/494, 526/497, 527/13, 175/325.5, 405/239
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/16 Auxiliary parts for reinforcements, e.g. connectors, spacers, stirrups E04C5/06 takes precedence; tools connecting reinforcing elements E04G21/12
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/203 Circular and spherical spacers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/1021 with articulated arms or arcuate springs
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/1078 Stabilisers or centralisers for casing, tubing or drill pipes devices for off-center positioning E21B17/10; E21B17/1007 - E21B17/1064 take precedence

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for centralizing rebar in a shaft are provided. The systems include a rebar centralizer system comprising a first ring and a second ring configured to be positioned in an angular relationship with each other. The first and second rings are configured to at least partially intersect so as to present at least one interior corner in which a section of rebar can be secured.

Claims

1. A rebar centralizer system for assisting with positioning of at least one section of rebar, said rebar centralizer system comprising:

a first ring aligned substantially within a first plane; and

a second ring aligned substantially within a second plane, wherein said first ring and said second ring are positioned such that the first plane and the second plane are oriented in an angular relationship,

wherein said first ring and said second ring intersect so as to present at least one interior corner for receiving the section of rebar,

wherein the second plane is aligned in parallel relationship with a centerline of said first ring, and wherein the second plane is offset from the centerline of said first ring such that said first ring and said second ring intersect in an offset manner to present the at least one interior corner, and

at least one securement component for securing said first ring and said second ring to the section of rebar, wherein at least a portion of the section of rebar is retained within the interior corner of said rebar centralizer system.

2. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein said first ring and said second ring are coupled together in said angular relationship.

3. The rebar centralizer system of claim 2, wherein said angular relationship is perpendicular.

4. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein the securement component comprises a wire-tie.

5. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein said first ring and said second ring are comprised essentially substantially of metal.

6. The rebar centralizer system of claim 5, wherein said first ring and said second ring are coupled together via weld.

7. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein said first ring and said second ring are comprised of plastic.

8. The rebar centralizer system of claim 7, wherein said first ring and said second ring are injection molded.

9. The rebar centralizer system of claim 7, wherein said first ring and said second ring are coupled together via one or more snap-fit connections.

10. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said first ring includes at least one notch that receives a portion of said second ring.

11. The rebar centralizer system of claim 10, wherein the inner surface of said first ring includes two aligned notches, wherein said two aligned notches receive portions of said second ring such that said second ring is retained within said first ring.

12. The rebar centralizer system of claim 10, wherein an outer surface of said second ring includes at least one lock element spaced apart from at least one stop surface, and wherein a portion of said first ring is retained between said at least one lock element and said at least one stop surface.

13. The rebar centralizer system of claim 12, wherein the outer surface of said first ring includes a first lock element spaced apart from a first stop surface, and a second lock element spaced apart from a second stop surface, and wherein portions of said first ring are retained between said first lock element and said first stop surface and between said second lock element and said second stop surface.

14. The rebar centralizer system of claim 9, wherein said snap-fit connection comprises at least one lock element spaced apart from at least one stop surface, wherein said one or more snap-fit connections is positioned on an outer surface of said second ring.

15. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein said first ring includes at least one skid surface positioned on an outer surface of said first ring.

16. The rebar centralizer system of claim 15, wherein said first ring includes at least two skid surfaces, with each of said at least two skid surfaces positioned on opposing lateral side portions of said first ring.

17. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, wherein said first ring comprises a first half and a second half, and wherein an inner diameter of said first ring across said first half is greater than an inner diameter of said second ring across said second half.

18. The rebar centralizer system of claim 17, and wherein an outer diameter of said first ring across said first half is greater than an outer diameter of said second ring across said second half.

19. The rebar centralizer system of claim 1, further comprising a third ring and a fourth ring, wherein said third ring and said fourth ring intersect so as to present at least one interior corner for receiving the section of rebar.

20. The rebar centralizer system of claim 19, wherein said first ring and said second ring are set apart from said third ring and said fourth ring by at least 15 inches.