Non-corrosive micro rebar

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11041309
  • Patent Number
    11,041,309
  • Date Filed
    Monday, October 29, 2018
    5 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 22, 2021
    2 years ago
  • Inventors
    • Imrich; Steven T (Naples, FL, US)
  • Examiners
    • Ference; James M
Abstract
The non-corrosive micro rebar is an apparatus that reinforces concrete structures. The apparatus includes a central rod, a plurality of threads, and a plurality of channels. The central rod connects the plurality of threads to one another and allows the apparatus to be flexible within the concrete structure. The plurality of threads allows a concrete mixture to grip around the apparatus. The concrete mixture surrounds the apparatus by filling the plurality of channels. In order for apparatus to hold together the concrete structure, each of the plurality of threads includes a connecting rod and an anchoring bar. The plurality of threads laterally traverses along the central rod and is radially distributed about the central rod. The connecting bar is fixed to the central rod and is oriented perpendicular to the central rod. The connecting bar traverse across the connecting rod and is oriented concave with the connecting rod.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to micro rebar. More specifically, the present invention is a non-corrosive micro rebar.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concrete mixtures are used to for a variety of structures that endure plenty of wear and tear. Such structures include, roads, sidewalks, divider walls, roof structures, homes, buildings, support columns submerged in water, and so on. In order to reinforce concrete mixtures, rebar is used to accommodate for any imbalances in concrete. More commonly used is micro rebar, which accommodates a wider range of shapes and sizes of concrete structures. Moreover, micro rebar accounts for more volume of concrete within a specific area of the concrete structure and more easily incorporated into concrete mixture than rebar itself. Micro rebar reduces the labor cost as well.


It is therefore an objective of the present invention to improve upon the structural reinforcement of micro rebar within concrete structures. The present invention not only accounts for the imbalances in concrete and accommodate any force or stress imposed upon the concrete structures, the present invention comprises improved threads that allows the concrete mixture to remain intact while supporting heavy loads, absorbing direct contact and force, withstanding harsh weather environments, and so on. Furthermore, the present invention is preferably made of plastic in order to lessen the weight of the of the present invention and the overall weight of the concrete structure. The plastic material also eliminates issues of corrosion in wet or harsh chemical environments. The present invention is able to hold together concrete structures, despite being made of plastic, as the present invention comprises a plurality of structurally sound threads.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 3 is a top side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of FIG. 3 along line 4-4 of the present invention.



FIG. 5 is a front side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of FIG. 5 along line 6-6 of the present invention.



FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.





DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.


The present invention is a non-corrosive micro rebar that effectively reinforces concrete structures. The present invention not only enhances the structural integrity of concrete structures but preserves the concrete structures for a longer period of time as the present invention preferably comprises plastic materials. In order for the present invention to reinforce concrete structures, the present invention comprises a central rod 1, a plurality of threads 4, and a plurality of channels 15, as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The central rod 1 positions and connects the plurality of threads 4 to one another. The plurality of threads 4 allows a concrete mixture to securely grip and surround the present invention. The central rod 1 and the plurality of threads 4 allows the concrete structure to better respond to high-force impact whether the high-force impact is a result of direct contact, an earthquake, a hurricane, and so on. The plurality of channels 15 allows the concrete mixture to surround each of the plurality of threads 4 and the central rod 1. Furthermore, the plurality of channels 15 is defined by the plurality of threads 4. Each of the plurality of threads 4 comprises a connecting rod 5 and an anchoring bar 6. The connecting rod 5 offsets the anchoring bar 6 from the central rod 1. The anchoring bar 6 allows the concrete mixture to securely solidify around and grasp onto each thread 4 and, consequently the central rod 1.


The overall configuration of the aforementioned components allows a concrete structure to be effectively reinforced by the present invention. The plurality of threads 4 laterally traverses along the central rod 1, seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and is radially distributed around the central rod 1, seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, thereby reducing the stress on both the central rod 1 and the plurality of threads 4. More specifically, the plurality of threads 4 is equally distributed around the central rod 1. In order for a concrete mixture to surround the plurality of threads 4 and the central rod 1, each channel of the plurality of channels 15 is positioned in between a thread 4 and an adjacent thread 4 of the plurality of threads 4. Moreover, each channel of the plurality of channels 15 is offset from each other by a thread of the plurality of threads 4 such that limited stress is imposed upon each thread. In order for each thread 4 to be structurally sound within the concrete mixture, the connecting rod 5 is fixed to the central rod 1 and is oriented perpendicular to the central rod 1. The anchoring bar 6 is positioned adjacent the connecting rod 5, opposite the central rod 1 so that each thread 4 is properly anchored within the concrete structure. In order to preserve the structural integrity of the central rod 1, the anchoring bar 6 traverses across the connecting rod 5. Each thread 4 is structurally sound within the concrete structure as the anchoring bar 6 is oriented concave with the connecting rod 5 and is centrally aligned with the connecting rod 5.


In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central rod 1 comprises a first flat surface 2 and a second flat surface 3, shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3. FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. Each of the plurality of threads 4 further comprise a first flat surface 7 and a second flat surface 8. The first flat surface 2 and the second flat surface 3 of the central rod 1, as well as the first flat surface 7 and the second flat surface 8 of each thread 4, allows a concrete mixture to grasp onto the present invention. The first flat surface 2 of the central rod 1 is positioned opposite the second flat surface 3 of the central rod 1, across the central rod 1. The first flat surface 7 of each thread 4 is positioned adjacent the first flat surface 2 of the central rod 1. Similarly, the second flat surface 8 of each thread 4 is positioned adjacent the second flat surface 3 of the central rod 1. More specifically, the first flat surface 2 of the central rod 1 is coplanar with the first flat surface 7 of each thread 4, and the second flat surface 3 of the central rod 1 is coplanar with the second flat surface 8 of each thread 4. This arrangement reduces the amount of stress on the central rod 1 from the surrounding concrete structure.


In a first embodiment of the present invention, seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the plurality of threads 4 comprises a first thread 9, a second thread 10, and a third thread 11. The first thread 9, the second thread 10, and the third thread 11, together, effectively holds together and reinforces the concrete structure, while allowing for more mobility of connecting rod 5. The second thread 10 is positioned in between the first thread 9 and the third thread 11. Moreover, the first thread 9, the second thread 10, and the third thread 11 are equally distributed about the central rod 1. The central rod 1 of first thread 9, the central rod 1 of the second thread 10, and the central rod 1 of the third thread 11 are 120 degrees apart from each other.


In a second embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of threads 4 comprises a first thread 9, a second thread 10, a third thread 11, a fourth thread 12, a fifth thread 13, and a sixth thread 14, seen in FIG. 7. The first thread 9, the second thread 10, the third thread 11, the fourth thread 12, the fifth thread 13, and the sixth thread 14, together, effectively holds together and reinforces the concrete structure. Unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a more rigid construction as a result. Consequently, the concrete structure imbedded with the second embodiment of the present invention is more rigid as well. Similar to the first embodiment of the second thread 10 is positioned in between the first thread 9 and the third thread 11. The fourth thread 12 is positioned adjacent the third thread 11, opposite the second thread 10. The fifth thread 13 is positioned adjacent the fourth thread 12, opposite the third thread 11. The sixth thread 14 is positioned adjacent the fifth thread 13, opposite the fourth thread 12. The first thread 9 is positioned adjacent the sixth thread 14, opposite the fifth thread 13. Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first thread 9, the second thread 10, the third thread 11, the fourth thread 12, the fifth thread 13, and the sixth thread 14 are equally distributed about the central rod 1. The central rod 1 of first thread 9, the central rod 1 of the second thread 10, the central rod 1 of the third thread 11, the central rod 1 of the fourth thread 12, the central rod 1 of the fifth thread 13, and the central rod 1 of the sixth rod are 60 degrees apart from each other.


It is understood that various embodiments of the present invention may comprise varying amounts of threads that are equally distributed about the central rod 1. More specifically, the degrees between the central rod 1 a thread 4 and a central rod 1 of an adjacent thread may vary in each embodiment.


In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each thread 4 comprises a pitch-to-revolution ratio of 1:1 along the connecting rod 5, wherein the pitch is one inch. This ratio maximizes the strength of the present invention. The overall length of the connecting rod 5 is approximately 1-3 inches, and the width is approximately ΒΌ an inch. Various embodiments of the present invention may comprise varying lengths and widths. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central rod 1 and the plurality of threads 4 are made of plastic. The plastic material preserves the present invention in wet environments and under harsh chemical exposures. Moreover, the plastic material is lightweight, reducing the overall weight of the concrete structure. The strength does not lessen over time as a result of rusting like that of metal-like materials.


In order to effectively reinforce concrete structures with the present invention, the method begins with by providing a quantity of concrete mixture. As the concrete mixture is being mixed, in order to preserve the consistency of the mixture, a plurality of the present invention is poured into the concrete mixture. The concrete mixture and the present invention are thoroughly mixed until a combination of the concrete mixture and the present invention is ready to be poured into a mold. The mold may include, but is not limited to, wall molds, pavement, and so on. The combination is poured and dried as that of typical concrete mixtures. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, recycled plastic is used construct the central rod 1 and the plurality of threads 4.


Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims
  • 1. A non-corrosive micro rebar comprising: a central rod;a plurality of threads;a plurality of channels;each of the plurality of threads comprising a connecting rod and an anchoring bar;the plurality of threads laterally traversing along the central rod;the plurality of threads being radially distributed around the central rod;the plurality of threads being equally distributed about the central rod;each channel of the plurality of channels being positioned in between a thread and an adjacent thread of the plurality of threads;each channel of the plurality of channels being offset from each other by a thread of the plurality of threads the connecting rod being fixed to the central rod;the connecting rod being oriented perpendicular to the central rod;the anchoring bar being positioned adjacent the connecting rod, opposite the central rod;the anchoring bar traversing across the connecting rod;the anchoring bar being oriented concave with the connecting rod; and,the anchoring bar being centrally aligned with the connecting rod.
  • 2. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the central rod comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface;each of the plurality of threads comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface;the first flat surface of the central rod being positioned opposite the second flat surface of the central rod, across the central rod;the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the first flat surface of the central rod;the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the second flat surface of the central rod;the first flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads; and,the second flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads.
  • 3. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, and a third thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, and the third thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 4. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, a third thread, a fourth thread, a fifth thread, and a sixth thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread;the fourth thread being positioned adjacent the third thread, opposite the second thread;the fifth thread being positioned adjacent the fourth thread, opposite the third thread;the sixth thread being positioned adjacent the fifth thread, opposite the fourth thread;the first thread being positioned adjacent the sixth thread, opposite the fifth thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, the third thread, the fourth thread, the fifth thread, and the sixth thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 5. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each thread of the plurality of threads comprises a pitch-to-revolution ratio of 1:1 along the connecting rod, wherein the pitch is one inch.
  • 6. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central rod and the plurality of threads are made of plastic.
  • 7. A non-corrosive micro rebar comprising: a central rod;a plurality of threads;a plurality of channels;each of the plurality of threads comprising a connecting rod and an anchoring bar;the plurality of threads laterally traversing along the central rod;the plurality of threads being radially distributed around the central rod;the plurality of threads being equally distributed about the central rod;each channel of the plurality of channels being positioned in between a thread and an adjacent thread of the plurality of threads;each channel of the plurality of channels being offset from each other by a thread of the plurality of threads the connecting rod being fixed to the central rod;the connecting rod being oriented perpendicular to the central rod;the anchoring bar being positioned adjacent the connecting rod, opposite the central rod;the anchoring bar traversing across the connecting rod;the anchoring bar being oriented concave with the connecting rod;the anchoring bar being centrally aligned with the connecting rod; and,each thread of the plurality of threads comprising a pitch-to-revolution ratio of 1:1 along the connecting rod, wherein the pitch is one inch.
  • 8. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 7 wherein: the central rod comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface;each of the plurality of threads comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface;the first flat surface of the central rod being positioned opposite the second flat surface of the central rod, across the central rod;the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the first flat surface of the central rod;the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the second flat surface of the central rod;the first flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads; and,the second flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads.
  • 9. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 7 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, and a third thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, and the third thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 10. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 7 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, a third thread, a fourth thread, a fifth thread, and a sixth thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread;the fourth thread being positioned adjacent the third thread, opposite the second thread;the fifth thread being positioned adjacent the fourth thread, opposite the third thread;the sixth thread being positioned adjacent the fifth thread, opposite the fourth thread;the first thread being positioned adjacent the sixth thread, opposite the fifth thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, the third thread, the fourth thread, the fifth thread, and the sixth thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 11. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 7 wherein the central rod and the plurality of threads are made of plastic.
  • 12. A non-corrosive micro rebar comprising: a central rod;a plurality of threads;a plurality of channels;each of the plurality of threads comprising a connecting rod, an anchoring bar, a first flat surface, and a second flat surface; the central rod comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface;the plurality of threads laterally traversing along the central rod;the plurality of threads being radially distributed around the central rod;the plurality of threads being equally distributed about the central rod;each channel of the plurality of channels being positioned in between a thread and an adjacent thread of the plurality of threads;each channel of the plurality of channels being offset from each other by a thread of the plurality of threads the connecting rod being fixed to the central rod;the connecting rod being oriented perpendicular to the central rod;the anchoring bar being positioned adjacent the connecting rod, opposite the central rod;the anchoring bar traversing across the connecting rod;the anchoring bar being oriented concave with the connecting rod;the anchoring bar being centrally aligned with the connecting rod;the first flat surface of the central rod being positioned opposite the second flat surface of the central rod, across the central rod;the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the first flat surface of the central rod;the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads being positioned adjacent the second flat surface of the central rod;the first flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the first flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads; and,the second flat surface of the central rod being coplanar with the second flat surface of each thread of the plurality of threads.
  • 13. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 12 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, and a third thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, and the third thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 14. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 12 wherein: the plurality of threads comprises a first thread, a second thread, a third thread, a fourth thread, a fifth thread, and a sixth thread;the second thread being positioned in between the first thread and the third thread;the fourth thread being positioned adjacent the third thread, opposite the second thread;the fifth thread being positioned adjacent the fourth thread, opposite the third thread;the sixth thread being positioned adjacent the fifth thread, opposite the fourth thread;the first thread being positioned adjacent the sixth thread, opposite the fifth thread; and,the first thread, the second thread, the third thread, the fourth thread, the fifth thread, and the sixth thread being equally distributed about the central rod.
  • 15. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 12 wherein: each thread of the plurality of threads comprises a pitch-to-revolution ratio of 1:1 along the connecting rod, wherein the pitch is one inch.
  • 16. The non-corrosive micro rebar as claimed in claim 12 wherein the central rod and the plurality of threads are made of plastic.
US Referenced Citations (50)
Number Name Date Kind
D10882 Mills Oct 1878 S
884341 Ramsey Apr 1908 A
911062 McMullin Feb 1909 A
931049 Foster et al. Aug 1909 A
931320 Large Aug 1909 A
1317824 Royse Oct 1919 A
2260779 Hoffmann Oct 1941 A
4050949 Lundgren Sep 1977 A
4119764 Mizuma Oct 1978 A
4137686 Kern Feb 1979 A
4791772 Potucek Dec 1988 A
5314268 Calandra, Jr. May 1994 A
5449563 Zhang Sep 1995 A
5650109 Kaiser Jul 1997 A
5950393 Stecker Sep 1999 A
6060163 Naaman May 2000 A
D427669 Ruuska Jul 2000 S
6264403 Hall Jul 2001 B1
6286270 Gruson Sep 2001 B1
D478705 Dahl Aug 2003 S
D531650 Switzer Nov 2006 S
D559874 Kobayashi Jan 2008 S
D636971 Diermeier May 2011 S
D648917 Farkas Nov 2011 S
D678369 Santamarina Mar 2013 S
8915046 Wright, III Dec 2014 B2
8916223 Burgess Dec 2014 B2
D721217 Rogers Jan 2015 S
D734792 Santamarina Jul 2015 S
D737875 Santamarina Sep 2015 S
9217288 Fiorello Dec 2015 B1
D747068 Walsh Jan 2016 S
9243406 Boguslavschi Jan 2016 B1
9440881 Pinkerton Sep 2016 B2
D785901 Wilson May 2017 S
D793650 Herrenbruck Aug 2017 S
D812751 Richter Mar 2018 S
D876929 Imrich Mar 2020 S
20040035177 Ollis Feb 2004 A1
20040065044 Bleibler Apr 2004 A1
20080127599 Chen Jun 2008 A1
20080302063 Braasch Dec 2008 A1
20110098755 Jackson Apr 2011 A1
20120066994 Gibson Mar 2012 A1
20120180426 Bromer Jul 2012 A1
20130209192 Wood Aug 2013 A1
20140341649 Bryan Nov 2014 A1
20150218814 Edoo Aug 2015 A1
20170145824 Tu May 2017 A1
20200131768 Imrich Apr 2020 A1
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20200131768 A1 Apr 2020 US