Adjustable support bracket for concrete reinforcing bars

Abstract

An adjustable bracket is provided for supporting concrete reinforcing bars for use in the construction of concrete structures. In particular, The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for supporting concrete reinforcing bars as used in the construction of concrete structures. In particular, this invention relates to an adjustable support for reinforcement bar, or similar reinforcing members, a plurality of which are disposed within a concrete form. The support is adjustable to a desired length corresponding to the cross-sectional width of the form. The support is mounted across opposing form walls providing a simple, inexpensive and time-saving means of positioning reinforcing bars in an essentially parallel arrangement within the form prior to the form's being filled with liquified concrete. In one embodiment of the present invention, and adjustable support is disclosed having an assembly of interlocking members with one member supportable by one form wall and having multiple holes for reinforcement bar, and another member supportable by an opposing form wall and having multiple retainer segments aligned with the reinforcement bar holes of the first member, whereby the two members are axially positionable and lockable to a desired length of bracket to support transversely mounted reinforcing bars. In an alternate embodiment, an adjustable bracket is formed of two molded members, each of which has multiple holes for reinforcement bar, the first member being supportable from a first by wall and the second member being supportable by an opposing wall, whereby each member is overlapped with the other to be axially positionable and lockable to a desired length of bracket. In another embodiment, an adjustable bracket is formed of two molded members, the first member of which is supportable by one form wall and has multiple holes for reinforcement bar and score marks at regular intervals to allow a worker to selectively and easily break off an undesired excess length of material. The second member is supportable by an opposing form wall and has a recess to receive the broken-off end of the first member, whereby the two members are axially positionable to a desired length of bracket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to brackets for supporting concrete reinforcing rods as used in the construction of concrete structures. In particular, this invention relates to an adjustable support bracket for reinforcement bar, or similar reinforcing members, a plurality of which are disposed within a concrete form. The support is adjustable to a desired length corresponding to the cross-sectional width of the form. The support is mounted across opposing form walls providing a simple, inexpensive and time-saving means for positioning pieces of reinforcement bar in an essentially parallel arrangement within the form prior to the form's being filled with liquified concrete.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art of building construction it is common practice to cast the base or foundation with concrete. A trench or excavation channel is prepared into which the forms, either made from steel or wood, are set up adjacent and connected to each other matching the dimensions of the required foundation (footing). The forms, which are steel panels or wooden boards or planks, are put into position on their edges across from each other and parallel to each other near the side walls of the trench.

After being placed into position, the forms are usually secured by stakes and other devices that are sufficient to prevent the form from being displaced. As more and more governments update their respective building codes, the number of locations that require pier blocks to be reinforced with steel is growing. Steel reinforcement generally takes the form of reinforcing bars (re-bar) or bars that are placed in the form in such a manner that the wet concrete completely covers the reinforcing bar. However, haphazard positioning of the reinforcing bars would result in a weakened concrete structure lacking in the ability to properly dissipate forces. A preferred placement of horizontally oriented reinforcing bars is usually with multiple bars arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other within a given footing. Horizontally oriented reinforcing bar is generally held in place by using separate reinforcing bar mounting stands. Some of the generally available reinforcing bar stands can be connected to the form after the form has been constructed, while others are positioned in the form and the reinforcing bar is placed on the device. Vertically oriented reinforcing bar is generally secured in the form by devices that are connected to the form after it is constructed. Placing the reinforcing bar securing devices in the desired location within the form requires additional labor and some degree of skill.

The footings for a construction project may be of various thicknesses depending upon a particular building design or applicable building codes. The thickness of a given footing will determine the requirements for the reinforcing bars to be used in terms of quantity and orientation within the footing. A customary construction practice has been to use metal wiring to secure one or more pieces of reinforcing bar into position, usually by wrapping the wire around suspended from the top edges of the forms or the stakes securing the forms. The reinforcing bars are secured in a number of locations along the length of a footing. While this practice is cost-effective from a materials standpoint, it is expensive in terms of the time and labor required.

Several attempts have been made to address these issues by providing alternatives to the labor-intensive and costly wiring of reinforcing bars into position within a concrete structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,714,817 to Griffiths discloses a spacer adapted to hold a reinforcing rod or bar for a concrete structure in a pre-selected position within the structure. Particularly, Griffiths teaches a spacer for positioning a reinforcing rod in a desired position with an elongated void to be filled with concrete, such as with stacked concrete blocks where a void of each block is aligned with that of the blocks above and below.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,634 to Adams discloses a plastic support bracket for concrete reinforcing bars for supporting reinforcing bars win concrete while the concrete is being poured, particularly within reinforced concrete beams. The support brackets allow for reinforcing bars to be snapped into place on the bracket enabling the bars to be rigidly held in a parallel position along the length of the concrete structure. A predetermined length of bracket must me selected for a given beam corresponding to the width of a channel in the forms used.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,262 to Uehara et al. discloses a bar positioning member comprising a long metal wire or rod having at least one indentation to receive an intersectingly disposed metal bar, and an apparatus for making a bar positioning member. Particularly, the invention relates to a reinforcing steel bar positioning member for use in assembling steel bars into grate-like reinforcements prior to placing concrete in a reinforced concrete structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,775 to Padrun discloses an extensible reinforcing bar assembly and clip that provides for a plurality of concrete reinforcing bars to be extended with respect to each other to establish a desired combined length.

The prior art provides a number of support devices for holding reinforcing bars in a desired position while concrete is being poured. While these devices offer a cost-saving alternative in the construction of concrete forms, a problem remains when a construction project requires forms of different thicknesses. Additional time would be required to have these devices modified for different wall thickness, or additional expense would be involved in maintaining an inventory of various length brackets for a particular project.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and cost-effective apparatus for supporting concrete reinforcing bars that offers an improved alternative to wiring reinforcing bars into position within a reinforced concrete structure.

It is another object to provide an adjustable bracket for supporting concrete reinforcing bars that addresses the need for a standardized product that can be used for a variety of wall thicknesses of a concrete structure.

It is a further object to provide an adjustable bracket for supporting concrete reinforcing bars that can be simply and selectively adjusted in length to correspond with a given wall thickness.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for reinforcing a concrete structure having a plurality of adjustable support brackets that supports a plurality of reinforcing bars within a concrete structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of constructing reinforced concrete structures utilizing a plurality of adjustable support brackets that supports a plurality of reinforcing bars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for supporting concrete reinforcing bars for use in the construction of concrete structures. In particular, this invention relates to an adjustable support bracket for reinforcement bar, or similar reinforcing members, a plurality of which are disposed within a concrete form. The support is adjustable to a desired length corresponding to the cross-sectional width of the form. The support is mounted across opposing form walls providing a simple, inexpensive and time-saving means for positioning pieces of reinforcement bar in an essentially parallel arrangement within the form prior to the form's being filled with liquified concrete. In one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable support is disclosed having an assembly of interlocking wire members with one member supportable by one form wall and having multiple holes for reinforcement bar, and another member supportable by an opposing form wall and having multiple retainer segments aligned with the reinforcement bar holes of the first member, whereby the two elements are axially positionable and lockable to a desired length of bracket to support transversely mounted reinforcing bars.

In an alternate embodiment, an adjustable bracket is formed of two molded members, each of which has multiple holes for reinforcement bar, the first element being supportable from a first by wall and the second element being supportable by an opposing wall, whereby each member is overlapped with the other to be axially positionable and lockable to a desired length of bracket.

In another embodiment, an adjustable bracket is formed of two molded members, the first member of which is supportable by one form wall and has multiple holes for reinforcement bar and score marks at regular intervals to allow an installer to selectively and easily break off an undesired excess length of material. The second member is supportable by an opposing form wall and has a recess to receive the broken-off end of the first member, whereby the two members are axially positionable to a desired length of bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an adjustable bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment as seen from section A-A in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a complete understanding of the features and operation of the present invention, reference is now made to the drawings of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts of the invention.

The general features of the present invention are described as an adjustable support having an assembly of interlocking members with one member supportable by one form wall and having multiple recesses for retaining a plurality of reinforcement bars on a transverse axis, and another member supportable by an opposing form wall and having a length that engages the first member, whereby the two members are axially positionable and lockable to a desired length of bracket. The resulting assembly provides an adjustable bracket for supporting concrete reinforcing bars that can be simply and selectively adjusted in length to correspond with a given wall thickness.

A standardized bracket that can be easily adjusted by an installer will significantly reduce the time and expense of otherwise providing a variety of fixed-size brackets for a project requiring a variety of concrete structure thicknesses. A simple assembly of a few parts by an installer will be all that is necessary to adapt the adjustable bracket to a required structure thickness. A number of such brackets would be set into a form, the brackets being supported by opposing form walls, along a form length. Once the brackets were properly positioned, one or more pieces of reinforcing bar would be inserted into the recesses of each bracket in a parallel arrangement. A concrete pour could then begin.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an adjustable bracket assembly 1 of the present invention. A first member 5 has a first end with a wall-engaging surface 30 that is supported by a first form wall 15. Starting at the second end of the first member 5 is a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions 35 located along the length of the first member 5 between the second end and the first end. Each of the recessions 35 is sized to receive and hold a transversely mounted reinforcing rod 25. Each recession 35 is just larger than the cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod 25 to allow a reinforcing rod 25 be slidably adjusted along the length of a form once it is installed in the bracket assembly 1. An upward-opening in each recession 35 is sized just smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod 25 such that a reinforcing rod 25 can be lowered to the opening of each recession 35 on a bracket assembly 1, and then snapped downward into the recession 35 by application of a downward force. A second member 10 has a first end with a wall-engaging surface 30 that is supported by a second form wall 20. Starting at the second end of the second member 10 is a plurality of longitudinally disposed projections 40 located along the length of the second member 10 between the second end and the first end. The projections 40 correspond to and are aligned with the recessions 35 on the first member 5, and are The projections 40 are angled or curved toward the corresponding recessions 35 such that the first member 5 and the second member 10 can be overlapped to engage each other at any one of a plurality of locations along a common longitudinal axis, and the projections 40 of the second member 10 securely fit within the recessions 35 of the first member 5. The degree of overlap of the first member 5 and the second member 10 will allow an installer to lengthen or shorten the bracket assembly 1 to a desired length. Once a reinforcing rod 25 is inserted into a recession 35, it will maintain a constant downward force on the projection 40 within that recession 35, thereby locking the first member 5 against the second member 10.

In this embodiment, the first member 5 and second member 10 are formed from medium steel wire that is bent to form the recessions 35 and longitudinally disposed projections 40. Each member may be of a continuous length of wire or may be built up of a plurality of pieces welded together.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of first member 5 and the second member 10 have wall-engaging surfaces 30 that are formed by an upward angle 45 and an outward angle 50 with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket 1. The upward angle 45 and the outward angle 50 allow the adjustable bracket assembly 1 to support reinforcing bars 25 at a predetermined depth within a form. The upward angle 45 and the outward angle 50 may be further supported by a right angle bend as shown in FIG. 2, or any combination of angular bends that provides increased rigidity of the structure. A downward angle 55, and an inward angle 60 with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket 1 may be incorporated into the shape of the first member 5 and the second member 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The downward and inward angle 55 provides a means by which the bracket 1 is securely retained within a form due to the inward directed spring forces on the outsides of opposing form walls. A second outward bend 60 at the very end of the member allows the wall-engaging surface 30 to more readily engage the top of a form wall 15. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that this configuration would allow an adjustable bracket assembly 1 to be adapted for use in other than horizontal applications given the ability of the bracket 1 to support itself in position within a form and not rely exclusively on the downward force of gravity.

The first end of the first member 5 and the first end of the second member 10 each have an end score 65 located at a position on each member such that an undesirable end piece can be easily removed by a worker after a concrete structure cures. The end score 65 provides a weak spot that enables the steel wire to be snapped off with a few quick bends of the first end of each member.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the first member 5 and second member 10 are also formed of medium steel wire that is bent to form the recessions 35 and longitudinally disposed projections 40. The projections 40 are angled or curved toward the corresponding recessions 35 such that the first member 5 and the second member 10 can be overlapped to engage each other at any one of a plurality of locations along a common longitudinal axis. The first member 5 is further comprised of a plurality of apertures 70, and the second member 10 is further comprised of a plurality of secondary longitudinally disposed projections 75 that are angled or curved toward the corresponding apertures 70, whereby the first member 5 and the second member 10 are simply aligned on a common longitudinal axis, overlapping to form a desired length of the bracket assembly 1, and are rotated to engage and interlock the recessions 35 and projections 40, as shown in detail in FIG. 3, and the apertures 70 and secondary projections 75, as shown in detail in FIG. 4. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art to provide any number of apertures and projections, singly or in combination, to achieve interlocking forms for the first member 5 and the second member 10.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. Each of the first member 5 and the second member 10 is formed of a ribbon-like medium steel strip stock that is bent to form the recessions 35 and longitudinally disposed projections 40. Each member may be of a continuous length of wire or may be built up of a plurality of pieces boned or welded together. The size and shape of the second member 10 is such that the second member 10 nests within the first member 5, whereby a desired length of the adjustable bracket assembly 1 is achieved by positioning the two members to align corresponding recessions 35 and projections 40, and laterally engaging and sliding the two members together.

In a fourth embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, an adjustable bracket is comprised a first member 5 and a second member 10, each of which has a plurality of recessions 35 for receiving a plurality of reinforcement bars 25. The first member 5 is supportable from a first form wall 15 and the second member 10 is supportable by a second opposing form wall 20. A forward-facing surface on the first member 5 has a plurality of fasteners 85 such as snaps, clips or retaining tabs positioned along the length of the first member 5 as shown in FIG. 7. The second member 10 has a rearward-facing surface with a corresponding plurality of fasteners 85 positioned thereon, as seen in detail in FIG. 8, such that the length of the bracket assembly 1 is adjustable by overlapping the first member 5 with the second member 10 to achieve a desired length, aligning the recessions 35 of each member, and engaging and snapping the fasteners 85 together. This embodiment is preferably made of steel strip stock that is easily bendable for form the required angles for engaging form walls. A simplified method of securing the ends of the first member 5 and the second member 10 of the bracket 1 to wooden form walls is by nailing, stapling or screwing the bracket ends to the form walls.

In a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8, an adjustable bracket 1 is comprised of two molded members, preferably formed of a molded plastic, phenolic resin, or light metal having structural rigidity but being brittle enough to break where desired. The first member 5 is supportable by a first form wall 15, and has a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions 35 located between the first end and the second end, the recessions 35 sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod 25. The first member 5 is further comprised of a plurality of length adjustment scores 95 at regular intervals along the length of the second member 10 that allows a worker to selectively and easily break off an undesired excess length of material to adjust the overall length of the bracket assembly 1, as shown in detail in FIG. 9. The second member 10 has a first end that is supportable by a second form 20 wall, and a second end having an end-receiving member with a recession 100 that receives the remaining end of the first element such that the first member 5 and the second member 10 are retained in alignment with one another. The second member 10 has a recess 100 to receive the broken-off end of the first member 5, whereby the two members are axially positionable to a desired length of bracket 1.

In a sixth embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, an adjustable bracket 1 is comprised of a first member 5 having a first end with a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a first form wall 15, and a second end that extends lengthwise, and second member 10 having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a second opposing form wall 20, and a second end that extends lengthwise. This embodiment further comprises a third member 105, as shown in detail in FIG. 11, having a first end with a recession 35 sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of at least one reinforcing rod 25, a second end with a recession 35 sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of at least one other reinforcing rod 25, and a longitudinally disposed tube segment 110 with at least one tube aperture 115 for receiving the second end of the first member 5 and the second end of the second member 10. The recessions 35 in this embodiment are formed by two bifurcated upward-angled members at each end of the third member 105, the upward-angled members diverging from each other to enable gathering and retaining a reinforcing rod 25. The first member 5 slidably engages the second member 10 along a common longitudinal axis within the tube segment 110 of the third member 105, which securely holds the first member 5 and second member 10 together as an assembly, thereby providing adjustability for a desired length for the bracket 1. The length of the tube segment 110 and its close fit with the first member 5 and the second member 10 maintains alignment and rigidity of the assembly, as shown in cross-sectional detail in FIG. 12, and maintains the positioning of the reinforcing rod recessions 35.

In a seventh embodiment (not shown) an adjustable bracket 1 is comprised of a first member 5 having a first end with a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a first form wall 15, and a second end comprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions located between the first end and the second end, the recessions sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod, and second member 10 having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface 30 that is supportable by a second opposing form wall 20, a second end that extends lengthwise, and a longitudinally disposed tube segment 110 having at least one aperture 115. The adjustable bracket 1 further comprises a second member 10 having a first end with a wall-engaging surface 30 that is supportable by a second form wall 20, and a second end that extends lengthwise for slidable engagement with the tube segment 110 of the first member 5. To adjust the length of the bracket assembly 1, a worker would position the second end of the second member 10 to align with the tube aperture 115 of the tube segment 110 of the first member 5, and slidably engage the second member 10 along a longitudinal axis with the tube segment 110, which holds the first and second members together as an assembly. The added downward force of gravity exerted by the reinforcing rods 25 further holds the first member 5 and the second member 10 together.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has applicability to the field of concrete and masonry construction, and particularly to a means of supporting reinforcing bars within concrete forms.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to concrete and masonry construction. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific means or features shown or described, since the means and features shown or described comprise preferred ways of putting the invention into effect.

Additionally, while this invention is described in terms of being used for supporting reinforcing bars within concrete structures, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be adapted to other uses in industry, and therefore the invention should not be construed as being limited to concrete and masonry construction. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An adjustable bracket for supporting bars for reinforcing concrete structures, the adjustable bracket comprising: a first member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface supportable by a first form wall, and a second end comprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions located between the first end and the second end, the recessions sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod; and a second member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface supportable by a second opposing form wall, and a second end for engagement with the second end of the first member; whereby the first member and the second member are overlapped to engage each other at any one of a plurality of locations along a common longitudinal axis to selectively form a desired length for the bracket, and whereby the bracket is supported between the first and second form, and at least one reinforcing rod is placed within a recession of the first member, thereby locking the first and second members together as a rigid assembly.

2. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the second member further comprises a plurality of longitudinally disposed projections located between the first end and the second end, the projections aligned to engage the recessions on the first member.

3. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are a formed rigid wire.

4. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are a formed rigid strip, whereby the first member and the second member laterally engage one another.

5. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of upward and outward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby a plurality of reinforcing bars are suspended to a predetermined depth within a form.

6. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of downward and inward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby the bracket is securely retained within a form due to the inward directed spring forces on the outsides of opposing form walls.

7. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member further comprise at least one score, whereby an undesirable exposed end piece is easily removable after a concrete structure cures.

8. The adjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the first member further comprises a plurality of longitudinally disposed apertures, and the second member further comprises a plurality of secondary longitudinally disposed projections, whereby the first member is able to be engaged and interlocked with the second member.

9. An adjustable bracket for supporting bars for reinforcing concrete structures, the adjustable bracket comprising: a first member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a first form wall, and a second end comprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions located between the first end and the second end, the recessions sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing rod, and a first surface having a plurality of fasteners disposed thereon; and a second member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a second opposing form wall, and a second end comprising a plurality of corresponding longitudinally disposed recessions aligned with the recessions on the first member, and located between the first end and the second end, and a second surface having a plurality corresponding fasteners disposed thereon and aligned with the fasteners of the first member; whereby the first member and the second member are overlapped to engage each other at any one of a plurality of locations along a common longitudinal axis to selectively form a desired length for the bracket, and the fasteners of the first member securely engage the corresponding fasteners on the second member, thereby locking the first and second members together as a rigid assembly.

10. The adjustable bracket of claim 9, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of upward and outward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby a plurality of reinforcing bars are suspended to a predetermined depth within a form.

11. The adjustable bracket of claim 9, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of downward and inward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby the bracket is securely retained within a form due to the inward directed spring forces on the outsides of opposing form walls.

12. The adjustable bracket of claim 9, wherein the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member further comprise at least one score, whereby an undesirable exposed end piece is easily removable after a concrete structure cures.

13. An adjustable bracket for supporting bars for reinforcing concrete structures, the adjustable bracket comprising: a first member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a first form wall, and a second end comprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed recessions located between the first end and the second end, the recessions sized to retain a cross-sectional diameter of a reinforcing bar, and a surface having a plurality of scores disposed thereon; and a second member having a first end comprising a wall-engaging surface that is supportable by a second opposing form wall, and a second end comprising a means for securely engaging the second end of the first member; whereby the first member is selectably sized by breaking off an undesirable excess length at one of the scores, and a remaining portion of the second end is securely engaged with the second member along a common longitudinal axis thereby holding the first and second members together as an assembly to selectively form a desired length for the bracket member.

14. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of upward and outward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby a plurality of reinforcing bars are suspended to a predetermined depth within a form.

15. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of downward and inward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby the bracket is securely retained within a form due to the inward directed spring forces on the outsides of opposing form walls.

16. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member further comprise at least one score, whereby an undesirable exposed end piece is easily removable after a concrete structure cures.

17. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the second end of the second member comprises a recess for receiving the second end of the first member.

18. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the wall-engaging surface of the first member and the wall-engaging surface of the second member are comprised of upward and outward angles with respect to the common longitudinal axis of the bracket, whereby a plurality of reinforcing bars are suspended to a predetermined depth within a form.

19. The adjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member further comprise at least one score, whereby an undesirable exposed end piece is easily removable after a concrete structure cures.

20. A method for supporting concrete reinforcing bars in the construction of concrete structures, the method comprising the steps of: determining the distance between opposing concrete form walls for a structure under construction; selecting an adjustable bracket for supporting concrete reinforcing bars; assembling the adjustable bracket to provide a length of the bracket corresponding to the distance between opposing concrete form walls; inserting the adjustable bracket into a channel between the opposing concrete form walls; and installing at least one concrete reinforcing bar into the adjustable bracket.