Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REINFORCING STEEL SUPPORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[001) The present invention relates generally to a device for positioning
concrete reinforcing
steel, such as re-bar. More particularly, relating to an apparatus for
suspending concrete
reinforcing steel relative to a form wall during the construction of a
concrete reinforcing
structure of reinforcing steel.
Background of the Invention
[002) In concrete construction it is customary to use concrete reinforcing
steel or re-bar to
strength a poured concrete structure. To provide the highest level of
reinforcement with
installation of re-bar in concrete, the re-bar must be accurately and
strategically oriented for
maximum benef t. One area of concrete construction that is found most labor
intensive
involves the pouring of grade beams because it is difficult and time consuming
to position the
reinforcing steel or re-bar properly. Many times a worker becomes frustrated
with the task
and haphazardly positions the re-bar to accomplish the task more quickly.
[003) During the construction of grade beams, a plurality of lengths of
reinforcing steel or
re-bar are orientated horizontally and positioned at different elevations
relative to a form
wall. Then additional lengths of re-bar are formed around the horizontally
orientated lengths
so as to form a box like reinforcing structure of reinforcing steel or re-bar.
During the
construction, it is imperative the elevation of each length of the
horizontally orientated
reinforcing steel remain level. One typical method used to aid a worker in
correctly
positioning the horizontal reinforcing steel involves supporting the
reinforcing steel with
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wooden beams, such as 2 x 4 beams. The use of wooden beams is a very laborious
and time
consuming process requiring the positioning of a considerable number of beams
to support
many lengths of reinforcing steel at different elevations. Furthermore, once
the reinforcing
structure has been constructed it must be lowered onto footings, which
requires the removal
of the supporting wooden beams.
[004] The present invention provides for an apparatus allowing quick and
accurate
placement of horizontal reinforcing steel during the construction of a
concrete reinforcing
structure used in reinforcing a poured concrete structure such as a grade
beam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In accordance with the present invention, a support for suspending
concrete
reinforcing steel horizontally during the construction of a concrete
reinforcing structure of
reinforcing steel is provided.
[006] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
support comprises
a vertical member having a first end and a second end, a support arm extending
from the
vertical member for supporting a length of reinforcing steel orientated
horizontally at a
predetermined elevation and at a spaced distance from the form wall, and a
clamp means for
securing the support to the form wall so that the support arm is perpendicular
to the form wall
and extends towards the opposite side of the form.
[007] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of
support arms are
provided which extend from the vertical member at different elevations to
support a plurality
of different lengths of reinforcing steel horizontally at different
elevations.
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[008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better understood
and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
[009] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
be readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following
detailed description
of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the
present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable
of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it
is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the
purpose of
descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
(0010] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other structures,
methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is
important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0011] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages
and the specific
objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and
descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAW1NGS
[0012] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those
set forth above
will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed
description
thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
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[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the reinforcing
steel support
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 2 is a partial, enlarged perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in
Figure 2; and
[0016] Figure 4 is an in-use perspective view of a plurality of the
reinforcing steel support of
the present invention attached to a form wall and supporting a plurality of
horizontally
orientated reinforcing steel members at various elevations.
[0017] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
various figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1-2, a
preferred embodiment
of the support for reinforcing steel of the present invention is shown and
generally designated
by the reference numeral 10.
[0019] Referring to Figure 1, the support 10 includes a vertical member 12
having a first end
14 and a second 16. Preferably, the vertical member 12 is of a tubular section
of a circular
cross-section. A support arm 18 extends from and orthogonal to the vertical
member 12 at a
selected position or elevation between the first and second ends 14 and 16.
Preferably, the
support arm 18 is of a cantilever type and is only supported by the vertical
member 12 at one
end 20 with the opposite end 22 projecting in a direction away from the
vertical member.
Most preferably, the support arm 18 is of a tubular section. The end 20 of the
support arm 18
can define a channel section 24 which is adapted to slidably receive the
vertical member 12
so that the support arm can be selective positioned at a desired height or
elevation along the
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vertical member. The channel section 24 can include a locking means 26, such
as a
thumbscrew or pin, to secure the support arm 18 at a selected elevation along
the height of
the vertical member 12. Additionally; the vertical member 12 can include a
plurality of
through holes 27 at spaced distances along the height of the vertical member
and the channel
section 24 can include a cooperating through hole for alignment with a through
hole 27. A
fastener 29, such as a bolt or pin can be passed through the aligned through
holes to lock the
support arm at a desired elevation.
(0020] A clamping means 28 for attaching the support 10 to a form wall is
provided and
which can either extend from the vertical member 12 approximate the first end
14 and in a
direction opposite of the support arm 18 or the clamping means can extend from
the first end
20 of the support arm in a direction opposite of the second end 22 of the
support arm. Most
preferably, the clamping means is attached to the channel section 24 opposite
of the support
arm 18 and extends therefrom in a direction opposite of the support arm. One
possible
example of a clamping means 28 that could be used includes a support bar 30
and a bar
clamp 32, such as a pony clamp slidably engaged with the support bar.
[0021] A handle 34 can be provided at the first end 14 of the vertical member
12. Preferably,
the handle 34 is of the T-type and is attached to the first end 14 of the
vertical member in a
direction parallel to the support arm 18.
[0022] Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, an additional embodiment of the present
invention is
illustrated which includes an additional example of a possible locking means
26 for securing
the support arm 18 to the vertical member 12. More particularly, in this
embodiment the
vertical member 12 is of a square cross-section and has a plurality of
horizontal slots 38
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formed along the length of the back surface 40. A projection 42 extends from
an interior
surface of the channel section 24 of the support arm 18. The support arm 18 is
secured to the
vertical member 12 at a desired elevation therealong by inserting the
projection 42 into a
corresponding slot 38 formed into the vertical member at the desired
elevation. The
projection 42 is locked into the slot 38 by a contact force between the upper
surface 44 of the
projection and the ceiling 46 of the slot which is created by a moment force
developed by a
moment arm which is equal to the distance of the end of the support arm to the
contact point.
The contact force is increased as load is applied to the support arm 18
insuring the support
arm will remain secured to the vertical member 12 at the desired elevation.
[0023] In additional embodiments, a plurality of support arms 36 can be
provided in addition
to the support arm 18. The support arms 36 are constructed in exact accordance
with the
support arm 18 as discussed supra. The support arms 36 can be either of the
same length of
the support arm 18 or can be of a different length. Preferably, at least one
support arm 36 is
provided having the same length as support arm 18 and at least one support arm
36 is provide
having a shorter length then support arm 18.
[0024] Referring to Figure 4, which illustrates a plurality of supports 10
depending from a
partial section of form wall 100 and supporting a partial section of a
reinforcing structure 110
of reinforcing steel members. Each support 10 is attached to the form wall 100
by clamping
means 28 and are spaced there along to provide support to horizontally
orientated reinforcing
steel members 112. The supports 10 allow for the suspension of the reinforcing
steel
members 112 relative to and at a spaced distance from the form wall 100.
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[0025) As illustrated, one possible method of suspending reinforcing steel
members 112 is by
using a support arm 18 that is positioned approximate end 14 of the vertical
member 12. In
this example, the support arm 18 is used to suspend or support two separate
lengths of
reinforcing steel horizontally and at different spaced distances from form
wall 100. An
additional support arm 36 is also used and is positioned along the vertical
member 12 at a
lower elevation then support arm 18 and which is of a shorter length then
support arm 18. In
this example, the support arm 36 is positioned to suspend a single horizontal
reinforcing steel
member 112 at a spaced distance from form wall 110. Once the horizontal
reinforcing steel
members 112 are correctly suspended by each support 10, a plurality of
vertical steel
members 114 are formed around the horizontal members to form a box-like
reinforcing
structure, which a partial section of a completed reinforcing structure
thereof is illustrated.
[0026) Upon completion of the reinforcing structure 110 each support 10 is
sequentially
removed from the form wall 100 prior to the pouring of concrete by first
loosening clamping
means 28 and then rotating the support so that support arms 18 and 36 are
positioned parallel
to the horizontal reinforcing members 112 and within the spaced distance
between the
reinforcing members and the form wall 100. Then the support 10 can be lifted
from the form
wall 100 and stored for later use.
[0027) A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are
within the
scope of the following claims.
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