Patent Application
20130180200
Various spacers for positioning rebar, wire, mesh, and other structural members in concrete are well known. One of the most common includes a chair-type of device on top which structural members are balance.
Other device are joined to the structural members and are able to move with the structural members without toppling and also maintain stability during most concrete pours. One such device is a universal spacer that is manufactured by Polylok Inc. of Wallingford, Conn. and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,787, which is incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in its entirety. However, known devices that are joined to structural members are not designed to connect multiple rebar rods to one another.
Typically, short pieces of wire are used to join overlapping rebar rods. However, the use of wire is labor intensive and inconsistent based on the skill of the worker. Alternatively, various types of clips are known in the art. However, known clips for connecting overlapping rebar rods are designed to specific diameters of rebar rod. As a result, a plurality of clips is required to allow for varying sizes of rebar rod. The lack of adjustability increases cost and can result in delays when required sized clips are unavailable.
In some embodiments, an adjustable rebar connector for joining rebar rods is disclosed. In some embodiments, the connector includes the following: a first portion including one or more arms, each of the one or more arms including a male portion extending therefrom and a first notch having a first longitudinal axis, the first notch being configured to releasably retain a first rebar rod; a second portion including a second notch formed therein and one or more female portions for receiving and retaining the male portion extending from a corresponding one of the one or more arms, the second notch having a second longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second notch being configured to releasably retain a second rebar rod; a chair portion extending outwardly from one or more of the first and second portions; and a hinge portion joining the first and second portions.
In some embodiments, an adjustable rebar connector is disclosed. In some embodiments, the connector includes the following: a first portion including one or more male portions extending therefrom and a first notch having a first longitudinal axis; a second portion including one or more arms, each of the one or more arms including a second notch formed therein and one or more female portions for receiving and retaining one of the one or more male portions, the second notch having a second longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first longitudinal axis; and a hinge portion joining the first and second portions.
The drawings show embodiments of the disclosed subject matter for the purpose of illustrating the invention. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:
Referring now to
Connector 100 includes a second portion 116 that has a second notch 118 formed therein and one or more female portions 120 for receiving and retaining male portion 110 extending from a corresponding one of arms 108. Second notch 118 defines second longitudinal axis 121 that is not parallel to first longitudinal axis 114. In some embodiments, first and second longitudinal axes 114 and 121, respectively, are substantially perpendicular. Second notch 118 is configured to releasably retain second rebar rod 104.
Connector 100 includes a hinge portion 122 joining first and second portions 106 and 116, respectively. Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring now to
First portion 202 includes one or more male portions 208 extending therefrom and a first notch 210 having a first longitudinal axis 212. In some embodiments, male portions 208 are curved. Second portion 204 includes one or more arms 214 that each have a second notch 216 formed therein and one or more female portions 218 for receiving and retaining one of one or more male portions 208. Second notch 216 defines a second longitudinal axis 220, which that is not parallel to first longitudinal axis 212. Hinge portion 206 connects first and second portions 202 and 204, respectively.
In some embodiments, connector 200 includes a chair portion 222 extending outwardly from one or more of first and second portions 202 and 204, respectively. Corresponding pairs including one of male portions 208 and one of female portions 218 form an adjustable and releasable connection. In some embodiments, the connection is a ratchet mechanism and female portions 218 include a release button 226 for allowing male portions 208 to be released. In some embodiments, one or more of first and second portions 202 and 204, respectively, include tabbed portions 228 configured for enhancing grip.
Referring again to
Connectors according to the disclosed subject matter offer benefits and advantages over known devices. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are the only known products that allow for various size pieces of rebar to be the connected together vertically and horizontally. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are easy to install and eliminate tying of rebar. At the same time, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter connect rebar unions, i.e., vertical to horizontal and combinations of different sized rebar, e.g., #3-#6 rebar. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a chair portion that acts as a standoff from the inner core or floor. Various sized chair portions, e.g., 2″, 1½″, 1″, and no standoff are available. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are suitable for connecting epoxy coated rebar and work well with foundation, bridge, or any outside construction.
Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated with respect to embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, etc., to produce additional embodiments within the scope of the invention, and that various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
