Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SAFETY CAP FOR THE PROJECTING ENDS OF
REBAR, PIPE AND THE LIKE
This invention pertains to a safety cap for placement over
the projecting ends of rebar, pipe and the like.
Particularly during the construction of buildings, there ~ ;
occur situations in which the ends of rebar, pipes, conduits, an-
chor bolts, ties and like materials extend vertically, horizontally
or at an angle from structures in which they are contained. Such ;~ -
ends are sharp, and present a distinct hazard to workmen and pas-
sersby who inadvertently stumble against them, and as a result are
bruised, abraded, or even stabbed by the projecting sharp ends.
It is the object of the present invention ~o provide a safety
cap for placement over the ends of such projections, thereby pro-
~ecting passersby from injury.
Other important obiects o the invention are the provisions
of a safety cap for the projecting ends of rebar, pipe and the like
objects which grips the object securely, which may be applied easily, ~-
; which after use may be removed from reuse, which accommodates various
sizes of rebar and pipe ends, which may be left on the projecting
ends permanently if desired; and which may be provided in a variety `-
of bright colors for easy visibility.
The foregoing and other ob;ects of the invention are accom- ;
plished by the provisions o a safety cap comprising an lntegral,
hollow, cylindrical body of resiliently deformable plastic material
closed at one end and open at the other. The cap has a hollow body
characterized by a stepped bore of progressively smaller internal
diameter in the direction of the closed end, thereby providing at
longitudinally spaced intervals shoulders for abutment by rebar and
pipe ends of varying diameter.
- The closed end of the body includes a radially extending
impact head, which preferably is flat and flexible. The open end
of the body is of restricted diameter, forming a lip. Also, it is
slit longitudinally at spaced radial intervals ~o provide an ex-
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pandable gripping segment. The in~erior of the hollow body is pravided with a plurality of inwardly extending projections dimension-
ed to engage frictionally the side walls of the rebar and pipe ends,
thereby in use retaining the cap thereon.
The invention is described herein wi~h particular reference
to the drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating the here- ~-
indescribed safety cap as applied to the projecting end of a length
of rebar.
Figo 2 is a top plan view of the safety cap.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section o~ the safety cap taken a- ~ -
long line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the safety cap tak-
en along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
As shown in Figo 1, the safety cap 10 of our invention may
be applied to the projecting end of a length of rebar 12 which ex-
tends outwardly from concrete structural element 14. Such project-
ions are commonplace on construction sites and may comprise the pro-
jecting ends not only of rebar but also of pipe, conduit, anchor
20 bolts, heavy wire, and the like all of which are contemplated here-
in as being suitable subjects for the application of the safety
cap of our invention.
Such projecting ends are sharp and present a distinct hazard
to workmen and passersby who inadvertently s~rike or stumble against
them.
As shown particularly in Fig. 3, safety cap 10 comprise~ an
integral hollow cylindrical body 16 of resiliently deformable plas-
tic material. Such material is preferably brightly colored so that
the cap may be seen readily when it is mounted on the projectionO
Hollow cylindrical body 16 is closed at one end with an im-
pact head 18. This preferably is flat and relatively thin and flex-
ible. In effect it increases the effective diameter of the project-
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ing end and presents a resilient, flexible, contact surface whic
cushions the impact of a person striking against the projection. ;~
Preferably, the impact head has a notch 20, as shown in `
Fig. 2. This is dimensioned to receive the shank o an adjacent
rebar or pipe end in the event that the cap is to be applied in a
cluster of such ends, as commonly i$ present at construction sites. `~
The exterior surface 22 of the open end of the hollow cy- `
lindrical body preferably is inwardly tapered. Also, it is provid-
ed with a lip 2~ of reduced diameter for gripping the side walls
of the projecting end to which the cap is applied. ;
The open end o~ the body is further provided with a plur- -
ality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 26. In
the illustrated form o~ the invention ~here are four such grooves
spaced at 90 from each other. These define ~ingers 28 which resil- '
iently grip the projecting end, further retaining the cap thereon.
The hollow bore o the cap is characterized by a stepped
configuration, being of progressively decreasing internal diameter
inwardly of the open end. There thus are provided at longitudinally
spaced intervals along the bore a plurality of shoulders 30,32,34
Of progressively decreasing extent. In a typical instance, such
shoulders may define internal diameter dimensions of 1/4 inch,3/8
inch and lf2 inch, respectively thereby making the cap unlversally
; applicable to projecting rebar or pipe ends of corresponding diam-
eter.
Further to assist in gripping the projecting end and in
mounting the cap securely thereon, there are provided aplurality
of inwardly extending projections 36, 38, 40. These preferably are
provided in rings at spaced longitudinal intervals and are asso- ~
ciated respectively with shoulders 30, 32, 34. `
Accordingly, when the cap 10 is placed over the sharp
~ proj~cting end of a length of rebar 12, the rebar end will first
- wedge open the slit end of the cap, and ent~r the hollow body.
f Depending upon its external diameter, it then will seat it-
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self against the inner surface of impact head 18, or one of should-
ers 30, 32, 34.
In place, it will be retained releasably by frictional en-
gagement not only with stretched lip 24, but also with the engaged
ones of inwardly extending projections 36, 38, 40.
The cap thus is secured in place for as long as the hazard
exists. Being brightly colored, it warns workmen and passersby of
the presence of the projecting ends of the rebar or pipe. However,
it ~nadvertent contact with such projecting ends should occur, the
workmen or passerby is protected from contact with sharp edges.
Instead, he strikes against the yielding impact head 18 which mini-
mizes the injury, if any such injury occurs.
When the hazard no longer exists, the caps easily may be
removed and applied to similar uses in other situations.
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